evrima yacht wiki

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Ritz-Carlton Evrima

Former names: ritz-carlton azora, ritz-carlton yacht 1.

Cruise line Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)
• San Juan (Puerto Rico)
• Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)
• Bridgetown (Barbados)

Ritz-Carlton Evrima current position

Ritz-Carlton Evrima current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 13.10173 N / -59.63105 W) cruising en route to Castries. The AIS position was reported 14 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Ritz-Carlton Evrima

Ritz-Carlton Evrima current cruise is 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Bridgetown to Bridgetown Cruise . Prices start from USD 5800 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 20 Nov, 2024 and ends on 27 Nov, 2024 .

Specifications of Ritz-Carlton Evrima

•   Itineraries
•   Review
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Ritz-Carlton Evrima Itineraries

Ritz-Carlton Evrima Review

Review of ritz-carlton evrima.

The 2021-built/2022-inaugurated Ritz-Carlton's Evrima cruise ship (fka "Ritz-Carlton Azora"/ official website ) is the first of all three ultra-luxury expedition yachts owned by Marriott International Inc (shipowner). The superyacht is operated by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (cruise brand and subsidiary of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company).

The vessel (IMO number 9823687) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 215001000) and registered in Valletta .

Due to construction delays (shipbuilder's financial difficulties caused by the Coronavirus crisis), the vessel's delivery was first postponed for 6 months - from November 2020 to April 2021. Evrima's Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled eight times - from 2020 (June 14) to 2021 (April 22, June 14, July 25, November 10) and 2022 (May 6th, June 25th, August 6th, and finally October 15th). A total of 138 voyages (74x planned for 2020-2021 plus 64x planned for 2021-2022) were canceled.

Fun fact is that this vessel was known as/named "Hull 1705" and "Yacht 1" in the period January 2017 through December 2018, and "Azora" between December 2018 and October 2019.

History - construction and ownership

Ritz-Carlton's cruise brand "The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection" is a Miami -headquartered (Coconut Grove) new company owned by Marriott International Inc via its subsidiary The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC.

On June 22, 2017, the 5-star hotel brand Ritz-Carlton announced its privately-owned cruise line brand, with a planned start in 2019. The company's fleet consists of 3 newbuilds , with a shipbuilding option to expand to 5 vessels. Ritz-Carlton's cruise company was created by Douglas Prothero (CEO, founder of Canadian Maritime Group) and Lars Clasen (Managing Director, former President of AIDA Cruises ).

Unlike the Spain-built Evrima, the France-built sisterships Ilma (2024) and Luminara (2025) are larger as both gross tonnage/volume (46750 GT-tons, compared to Evrima's 25400 GT-tons), cabins (228 vs Evrima's 149) and max passenger capacity (456 vs Evrima's 298).

The 300-passenger ship Evrima was designed by Tillberg Design (Sweden) as a "mega-yacht - cruise ship" hybrid. The custom-built superyacht was even dubbed "anti-cruise ship".

Due to shipyard issues/financial difficulties, the vessel's delivery/inauguration (originally planned for November 2019) was first postponed to 2020 (4 months - from February to June 2020), then to 2021 (first for April, then July and November) and eventually to 2022 (May, June, Aug, Oct). The latest cancellations were due to the ongoing pandemic - safety concerns, international travel restrictions and uncertainties (countries' lockdowns and port closures).

Decks and Cabins

All Evrima cruise ship staterooms (149 total) are balcony suites with tall ceilings, including two Duplex Suites (2-level apartments). The fore-located Owner Suites are the yacht's largest accommodations, featuring upper suite living area, floor-ceiling windows (for 270-degree views) and a huge wraparound terrace (with an outdoor plunge pool).

The boat has 10 decks , of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Staterooms include 27x Signature Suites, 18x Grand Suites, 12x Loft Suites (2-deck accommodations), 90x Terrace Suites. Loft Suites are duplexes (bedroom on the lower level). Terrace Suites are connecting cabins (with a soundproof blind wall in between) easily combined to reduce the cabins number from 149 to 107 (when the mega-yacht is privately chartered).

Cabin categories include:

• Owners Suite (1100 ft2 / 102 m2) plus balcony (590 ft2 / 55 m2)
• View Suite (625 ft2 / 58 m2) plus balcony (95 ft2 / 9 m2)
• Loft Suite (700 ft2 / 65 m2) plus balcony (75 ft2 / 7 m2)
• Grand Suite (635 ft2 / 59 m2) plus balcony (110 ft2 / 10 m2)
• Signature Mid-Suite / Signature Suite (475 ft2 / 44 m2) plus balcony (100 ft2 / 9 m2)
• Terrace Mid-Suite / Terrace Suite (310 ft2 / 29 m2) plus balcony (65 ft2 / 6 m2)

Standard (complimentary) cabin amenities and services include custom-made King-size beds (premium sleeping system, custom-made for Ritz-Carlton linens, hypoallergenic pillows), smart HDTVs (infotainment system with Internet, movies-on-demand, Room Service ordering), seating area with contemporary furniture (mirrored dressing table, upholstered low stool, lounge cabinet with shelves, armchairs, coffee table), complimentary minibar (fully stocked to guests’ preferences/upon request after boarding the ship), Espresso coffee machine (complimentary capsules /coffee and tea), direct-dial phone, wardrobe, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), 220-110 V power outlets, USB charging ports, complimentary WiFi Internet, complimentary 24-hour room service and in-cabin dining (ordering items from all onboard dining venues), dedicated butler (Personal Concierge assistant), en-suite bathroom (double-sink vanity, separate WC-toilet, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, custom-made bath linens, luxury-brand bath products), individually controlled air-conditioning, LED lighting, modern light fixtures (recessed lights).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Ritz-Carlton Evrima yacht offers a total of 10 ultra-premium dining options at intimate venues with chef-curated menus, small seating capacity, opened around the clock and without assigned seating or fixed mealtimes. Passengers can eat whenever they want, rather than the traditional pre-set dining times customary on most companies. All-day and all-night dining in cabins (or on their terraces) can be ordered from the 24-hour room service menu (items from all onboard dining venues), as well as during regular hours from the MDR menu.

The dress code is Yacht Casual during the day for breakfast and lunch - shoes, shirts, and bathing suit cover-ups are required when the passengers are not at the swimming pool. During the evening for dinner sleeveless t-shirts and bathing suits are not allowed and shoes and shirts are required throughout the vessel. The dress code in the specialty dining restaurant by Sven Elverfeld is Yacht Sophisticated and collared shirts are not required, but recommended. No formal nights are organized on board.

Follows the complete list of Ritz-Carlton Evrima restaurants and food bars.

• S.E.A. (Aqua Restaurant) is via partnership with celebrity chef Sven Elverfeld (3-Michelin stars) who presides over Ritz-Carlton's Aqua Restaurant in Wolfsburg, Germany . Aqua Restaurant has capacity 28 seats, offers a la carte 5-course menu and wine pairing (with premium wines and champagnes by the glass). An additional fee is applied and reservations are required.
• Evrima Room is the boat's Main Dining Room restaurant (MDR) with capacity 140 seats. The venue is designed to look like 10 small restaurants, with plenty of nooks. The menu consists of locally inspired creations and changes daily to reflect the ports visited. Dining Privee (10-seat room) is part of the MDR and can be reserved as VIP dining room for lunches and dinners with customized menus.
• Talaat Nam is a contemporary Asian cuisine restaurant with a separate sushi bar and outdoor terrace seating.
• The Pool House (casual poolside food bar) offers all-day dining (including breakfasts, lunches, dinners).
• Mistral (aft on Deck 8/initially named "Outdoor Grill") is a Lido bar restaurant serving the swimming pool with food and beverages. This pool deck/lower Sundeck is served by Poolside Grill (steakhouse) and Seafood Grill. Mistral is a casual alfresco eatery offering from Early Risers (portable breakfast) to late-night complimentary dining. Various cuisine specialties are prepared outdoors and a la minute, including gourmet meats (prime beef steaks) and fresh seafood (grilled to order).

Ritz-Carlton cruise line's Culinary Director is Matthieu Godard (pastry chef) who oversees the brand's culinary activities and menus. Lee Goble is the brand's Executive Chef who manages the fleet's culinary teams.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Evrima ship offers destination-based activities (onboard performances by local artists and musicians), itinerary-based gourmet cuisine (with locally-sourced products and dishes prepared by local chefs). Onboard entertainment includes live performances (jazz and classical) and professional (expert-led) lectures and media presentations. During each voyage, local guests (artists, lecturers, chefs) board the ship for various entertainment acts throughout the cruise. The shipwide Wi-Fi is free of charge.

Ship's main social hubs are The Observation Lounge (top-deck) and The Living Room (ship entrance hall / Atrium Lobby lounge, also doubling as Cafe and Library). The ship doesn't have a dedicated Theater (show lounge) or Casino (gambling lounge).

The mega-yacht has an aft marina platform for watersports, providing direct access to the sea. The marina is also used for open-air parties and other events. A selection of water toys (sea kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment) is provided complimentary to all passengers. The marina is connected to the indoors, forming an indoor-outdoor solarium (sundeck) looking more like a cozy lounge than the usual sundeck.

Next image shows Spa Deck's fore-located sundeck with a large Jacuzzi (covered in the evenings) and outdoor padded seating (sofas, loungers, tables and chairs).

Above Sun Deck is the Helideck with a helipad (helicopter landing area) used in cases of emergency.

The open-air Marina Bar provides 270-degree sea views and is covered by a retractable glass roof. Marina Bar is operated as al fresco dining lounge by day and as disco nightclub in the evening. The venue serves a variety of made-to-order dishes prepared a la minute.

The superyacht has two infinity whirlpools/hot tubs (aft portside and starboard on Deck 5), two aft swimming pools (one deep on Deck 5, and one shallow on Deck 8) and one spa pool/Jacuzzi (forward on Deck 9). The infinity pool (aft on Deck 5) is also used for exercising (resistance swimming). Glass doors open to a sweeping staircase leading to Lido Deck and the infinity pool (on the stern, with a glass wall facing the ship's wake). The superyacht also carries speedboats.

Due to fire and safety regulations, most of the ship's spaces are sectioned off and subdivided, with metal walls dividing restaurants from lounges and bars. Ritz-Carlton ships pioneered an open floorplan concept ("fluid and transparent") designed to "break down the traditional boundaries between dining and drinking areas".

Follows the complete list of Ritz-Carlton Evrima ship lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Bar is a cocktail lounge serving premium brand liquors and Champagnes with caviar pairings.
• The Humidor is a top-deck smoking bar lounge (part of Observation Lounge) where can also be purchased hand-rolled cigars and premium liquors.
• The top-deck located Observation Lounge is the best place for cocktails and socializing. At twilight, it is transformed into a late-night hangout with live entertainment.
• The Living Room is the ship's Cafeteria-Patisserie offering freshly-baked pastries, cakes, pies, roasted coffees (at the Espresso Counter and the Bar) and traditional British Afternoon Tea service. Ready-made sweets are available for ordering until late-night.
• The Pool House (poolside bar) provides all-day complimentary food and beverage service. The ship's pool deck (aft sundeck) is fitted with loungers, deckchairs, banquettes and whirlpools, along with a spacious spot for outdoor movies and deck parties.
• Ritz-Carlton Spa (Deck 9) is operated by Ritz-Carlton Hotels and provides indoor and outdoor treatments. Each massage room has its own private step-out balcony. Guests are able to pick if they wish a treatment indoor or outdoor. The Wellness complex also includes Relaxation Lounge, Medical Center, The Salon (full-service beauty parlor/hairdresser-manicure-pedicure), The Barber (grooming-barber services). Ship's Fitness Center is an indoor-outdoor Gym complex with training equipment inside and an outdoor exercise area for classes (yoga, pilates, aerobics, etc) and relaxation.
• Ritz-Kids is the yacht's Kids Club (indoor playground) providing a complimentary educational and fun activity program for children. Enhanced kids entertainment and services are available during summer months and holidays.
• Boutique Shop sells brand sportswear, fashion clothing and accessories, leather goods, premium jewelry and watches, brand perfumes and cosmetics. In select ports along the cruise itinerary, the onboard shopping experience is enhanced via collaborations with local artisans boarding the ship to showcase their unique handmade products.

The Marina is an aft-located/stern watersports platform providing direct access to the sea and the ship's watersport equipment. It is also used for parties and other open-air events. A selection of water toys (sea kayaks, paddleboards) are launched from here and provided complimentary to all passengers. Glass doors open to the sweeping staircase leading to Lido / Pool Deck above (aft / on the ship's stern). The Marina is adjacent to an indoor/outdoor solarium (Marina Terrace) which is more a cozy lounge than a conventional sundeck.

Marina Terrace is an open-air deck space (served by Marina Bar) offering 270-degree panoramic views. This outdoor area is covered by a retractable glass roof and can be operated as al fresco dining lounge by day and as a disco nightclub in the evenings. As a dining venue, Marina Terrace serves a variety of dishes prepared a la minute, as well as handcrafted cocktails.

Itineraries

Evrima's MAIDEN VOYAGE is currently scheduled for August 6, 2022. The 7-day itinerary is from Piraeus-Athens to Chioggia-Venice, visiting Greece (Parga, Kerkyra-Corfu Island), Croatia (Dubrovnik/overnight, Korcula, Rovinj), Slovenia (Koper) and Chioggia (overnight).

Initially, Evrima's inauguration was planned for June 14, 2020. The 7-day itinerary (booking code 11200614) had to depart from Barcelona Spain to Palma de Mallorca (Majorca Island, Balearic Spain) . Prices started from EUR 6310 pp / USD 6960 pp with double occupancy, including taxes and port fees.

However, due to shipbuilding delays, the Maiden Voyage (and Ritz-Carlton's cruise brand's launch/inauguration) was postponed from 2020 to 2022, and rescheduled several times - in 2021 (April 22nd, out of Lisbon , July 24th out of Venice , November 10th out of San Juan Puerto Rico ), and in 2022 - May 6th (out of Lisbon), June 25th (from Piraeus), August 6th (from Piraeus), Aug 31st (from Piraeus) and finally October 15th (Maiden Voyage from Barcelona to Nice).

The latest cancellations affected the entire Europe-Mediterranean (2020) and Caribbean (2021) seasons - or a total of 96 voyages.

Next are listed Evrima's canceled 2020-2021-2022 schedules as homeports and (in brackets) departure dates and booking codes. IMPORTANT: All itineraries in 2020 and some in 2021 (January 3 through April 22) were canceled.

Ritz-Carlton 2020 schedule (CANCELED)

• (June 14) 7-night Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca (code 11200614)
• (June 21) 7-night Palma de Mallorca to Lisbon (11200621)
• (June 28) 7-night Lisbon to Bordeaux (11200628)
• (July 5) 9-night Bordeaux to London-Greenwich (11200705)
• (July 14) 7-night London-Greenwich to Amsterdam (11200714)
• (July 21) 9-night Amsterdam to Copenhagen (11200721)
• (July 30) 10-night Copenhagen to Stockholm (11200730)
• (August 9) 10-night Stockholm to Copenhagen (11200809)
• (August 19) 9-night Copenhagen to Edinburgh Scotland (11200819)
• (August 28) 8-night Edinburgh to Reykjavik (11200828)
• (September 5) 7-night Reykjavik roundtrip (11200905)
• (September 12) 14-night Reykjavik to Halifax NS Canada (11200912) Transatlantic, from EUR 7400 pp
• (September 26) 7-night Halifax to Boston MA USA (11200926)
• (October 3) 12-night Boston to Montreal Canada (11201003)
• (October 15) 12-night Montreal to Boston (11201015)
• (October 27) 9-night Boston to Nassau Bahamas (11201027) repositioning, from EUR 5050 pp
• (November 6) 8-night Fort Lauderdale to San Juan Puerto Rico (11201106) Inaugural Caribbean cruise, from EUR 5250 pp
• (November 14) 7-night San Juan to Philipsburg St Maarten (11201114)
• (November 21) 7-night Philipsburg to Bridgetown Barbados (11201121)
• (November 28) 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (11201128)
• (December 5) 7-night Bridgetown to Castries St Lucia (11201205)
• (December 12) 7-night Castries to Philipsburg (11201212)
• (December 19) 8-night Philipsburg to San Juan (11201219) Inaugural "Christmas Cruise 2020", from EUR 6300 pp
• (December 27) 7-night San Juan roundtrip (11201227) Inaugural "New Year Cruise 2020", from EUR 5650 pp

Ritz-Carlton 2021 schedule (CANCELED)

• (January 3) 7-night San Juan to Philipsburg St Maarten (11210103)
• (January 10) 7-night Philipsburg to Bridgetown Barbados (11210110)
• (January 17) 7-night Bridgetown to Castries St Lucia (11210117)
• (January 24) 7-night Castries to Oranjestad Aruba (11210124)
• (January 31) 7-night Oranjestad to Castries (11210131)
• (February 14) 7-night Philipsburg to Castries (11210214)
• (February 26) 7-night Castries to San Juan Puerto Rico (11210226)
• (March 10) 7-night San Juan roundtrip (11210310)
• (March 27) 7-night San Juan to Bridgetown (11210327)
• (April 3) 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (11210403)
• (April 10) 12-night Bridgetown to Lisbon (11210410) Transatlantic, from EUR 6200 pp
• (April 22) 9-night Lisbon to Palma de Mallorca (11210422)
• (May 1) 7-night Palma to Nice France (11210501)
• (May 8) 7-night Nice to Civitavecchia-Rome (11210508)
• (May 29) 7-night Valletta Malta to Piraeus-Athens (11210529)
• (June 5) 7-night Piraeus-Athens roundtrip (11210605)
• (June 12) 7-night Piraeus-Athens to Venice (11210612)
• (June 24) 9-night Dubrovnik Croatia to Piraeus-Athens (11210624)
• (July 10) 7-night Piraeus-Athens to Dubrovnik (11210710)
• (July 17) 7-night Dubrovnik to Venice (11210717)
• (July 24) 7-night Venice to Piraeus-Athens (11210724)
• (July 31) 7-night Piraeus-Athens to Valletta Malta (11210731)
• (August 7) 7-night Valletta to Civitavecchia-Rome (11210807)
• (August 14) 7-night Civitavecchia-Rome roundtrip (11210814)
• (August 26) 8-night Civitavecchia-Rome to Malaga Spain (11210826)
• (September 3) 7-night Malaga to Lisbon (11210903)
• (September 10) 12-night Lisbon to Halifax NS Canada (11210910) Transatlantic, from EUR 6300 pp
• (September 22) 7-night Halifax to Boston MA USA (11210922)
• (September 29) 11-night Boston to Montreal Canada (11210929)
• (October 10) 12-night Montreal to Halifax (11211010)
• (October 22) 12-night Halifax to Fort Lauderdale FL USA (11211022) repositioning, from EUR 7900 pp
• (November 10) 7-night from San Juan to Castries (11211110) MAIDEN VOYAGE
• (November 17) 7-night Castries to Oranjestad Aruba (11211117)
• (November 24) 8-night Oranjestad roundtrip (11211124)
• (December 2) 7-night Oranjestad to Bridgetown Barbados (11211202)
• (December 9) 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (11211209)
• (December 16) 7-night Bridgetown to San Juan Puerto Rico (11211216)
• (December 23) 10-night San Juan roundtrip (11211223) "Christmas and New Year Cruise 2021", from EUR 7760 pp

Ritz-Carlton 2022 schedule (CANCELED)

• (January 2) 7-day roundtrip from San Juan ($4900)
• (January 9) 7-day from San Juan to Philipsburg St Maarten ($5300)
• (January 16) 7-day from Philipsburg to Bridgetown ($4895)
• (January 23) 7-day roundtrip from Bridgetown ($4910)
• (January 30) 7-day from Bridgetown to Castries ($5410)
• (February 6) 7-day from Castries to San Juan ($5405)
• (February 13) 7-day roundtrip from San Juan ($5795)
• (February 20) 7-day from San Juan to Philipsburg ($5395)
• (February 27) 7-day from Philipsburg to Castries ($5090)
• (March 6) 5-day from Castries to Bridgetown ($3910)
• (March 20) 8-day roundtrip from Oranjestad ($5600)
• (March 28) 12-day from Oranjestad to Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale Florida ($7690)
• (April 9) 7-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale ($5410)
• (April 16) 7-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale ($5100)
• (April 23) 13-day Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon ($7505)
• (May 6) 11-day Lisbon to Barcelona ($13400)
• (May 17) 9-day Barcelona to Marseille ($9900)
• (May 26) 10-day Marseille to Civitavecchia-Rome ($12200)
• (June 5) 5-day Civitavecchia to Valletta Malta ($5800)
• (June 10) 8-day Valletta to Piraeus ($9200)
• (June 18) 7-day roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens ($8400)
• (June 25) 7-day Piraeus to Venice ($8100)
• (July 2) 7-day Venice to Dubrovnik Croatia ($8400)
• (July 9) 5-day Dubrovnik to Venice ($6100)
• (July 14) 9-day Venice to Piraeus ($10600)
• (July 23) 7-day Piraeus to Venice ($8100)
• (July 30) 7-day Venice to Piraeus ($8400)
• (Aug 6) 7-day roundtrip from Piraeus ($8400)
• (Aug 13) 7-day Piraeus to Istanbul ($7400)
• (Aug 20) 11-day Istanbul to Piraeus ($12100)
• (Aug 31) 9-day Piraeus to Chioggia
• (Sept 10) 7-day Chioggia to Civitavecchia
• (Sept 22) 9-day roundtrip from Civitavecchia
• (Oct 2) 6-day roundtrip from Civitavecchia
• (Oct 8) 7-day from Civitavecchia to Barcelona

An extensive list of ship relocation voyages you can see at RepositionCruises.com (dates, itineraries, regions).

Ritz-Carlton cruise fares are inclusive of onboard accommodation, dining, beverages (including alcoholic), gratuities (shipboard tipping) and Wi-Fi. A 5% discount is offered with the booking of 2 or more B2Bs (back-to-back itineraries) .

In early-September 2020, Ritz-Carlton announced the company's winter 2022-2023 itineraries (November through April). The Evrima ship's program featured 15 new ports - Golfito (Costa Rica) , Portsmouth (Dominica) , Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala) , Bocas Del Toro (Colon Island, Panama) , as well as longer port stays.

In late-August 2021, Ritz-Carlton postponed Evrima's Maiden Voyage through 2022 (rescheduled to May 6th).

In spring and summer 2022, MS Evrima was to be deployed in the Western Caribbean and Bahamas, Bermuda and Mediterranean (including Holy Land / Israel and Cyprus). Themed voyages in 2022 included Christmas Cruise (Dec 25 in Roseau Dominica), New Years Eve Cruise (Dec 31 in Saint Barthelemy Island), Casablanca overnight (tour to Marrakesh Morocco), Monaco Grand Prix 2022 (Circuit de Monaco).

In the summers of 2023 and 2024 (April through November) the ship was deployed in the Mediterranean (French Riviera, Adriatic, Balearic Islands, Greek Isles) with itineraries ranging 7- to 11-night in length. Program 2023 featured 5x maiden ports - Melilla (Spanish Morocco), San Sebastian de la Gomera (Canaries Spain), Praia (Santiago Island, Cape Verde), Mindelo (Sao Vicente Island, Cape Verde), Catania (Sicily Italy). Program 2024 ((total 21x sailings) featured 14x new ports and overnights in Monte Carlo (Monaco), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Portofino (Italy), Casablanca (Morocco).

Ritz-Carlton's The Shore Collection (land tours and excursions) program offers customized services provided by dedicated cruise ship staff (Concierge Ashore) working with local certified tour guides and other specializing in tourism and travel professionals.

All Ritz-Carlton superyachts are available for private chartering.

Photos of Ritz-Carlton Evrima

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Other Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise ships

• Ritz-Carlton Ilma
• Ritz-Carlton Luminara

Ritz-Carlton Evrima Wiki

Ritz-Carlton's shipbuilder is Astilleros Barreras Shipyard (Hijos de J. Barreras SA, with parent company Tropical Hoteles SA) in Vigo Spain .

The vessel's physical construction/assembly (yard/hull number 1705) officially started with the keel-laying ceremony held on January 11, 2018. The special event was attended by Jose Garcia Costas (shipyard's Chairman), Fredrik Johannson (Tillberg Design's owner), Timothy Grisius (Marriott International's global real estate officer), Douglas Prothero (Ritz-Carlton Yachts' CEO).

On October 9, 2018, the vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) and moved to a shipyard pier for final outfitting. During the ceremony was also announced its initial name "Azora". In 2019, however, Ritz-Carlton decided to change the name and started to call the ship "Yacht 1". On October 14, 2019, was officially announced the vessel's new name "Evrima".

On March 20, 2021, the vessel (towed from Vigo) arrived at Astander Shipyard in Santander for exterior finishing (drydock works).

From Greek, Evrima translates as "discovery". The original ship name (Azora) was abandoned due to trademark issues.

The ship's first Master was Captain Steven MacBeath (previously employed by HAL- Holland America Line ) who also commanded Evrima during the sea trials (conducted in June 7-9, 2022) in Cantabrian Sea/Biscay Bay.

Ritz-Carlton ship technology

The yacht Evrima is powered by four MAN marine diesel engines (model 9L32/40, total power output 18 MW), as opposed to the new trend for LNG-powered passenger ships. The diesel-electric propulsion is with common rail fuel injection, providing better fuel efficiency at various speeds.

The ship's propulsion consists of two Azipods (by ABB) with total power output 15 MW. Azipod D are azimuth thrusters ideal for smaller-sized vessels as they require lower installed power. The unit's electric drive motor is installed in the pod and submerged outside the hull, thus allowing more space for passenger cabins. The patented Azipod system also produces less vibration. The thrusters have the ability to turn 360 degrees which increases the ship's maneuverability and allows access to ports without the need of tugboat assistance.

The Azipods are part of ABB's medium voltage powerplant. It also includes sensors producing real-time data that can be tracked from land-based facilities operated by both ABB Operations Centers and the customer. The Azipod thruster is approx 10% more fuel-efficient in comparison to shaft line propulsion systems. This results in a significant reduction of the vessel's operating costs and emissions. The lack of traditional rudders also allows the hull's hydrodynamics to be optimized.

"ABB Ability" is a remote diagnostic system using Microsoft Azure (cloud computing). It monitors the vessel's electrical systems and is connected 24-7 to ABB's infrastructure ashore. The system monitors all linked devices and sends real-time data analytics for maintenance (predictive and planned) and online support.

In late-September 2018, ABB contracted Raytheon Anschutz (Singapore-based manufacturer) to provide the ship's Integrated Navigation System "Synapsis NX" (bridge and navigation equipment). Synapsis NX includes autopilot, track control, radars, navigation sensors, communications, multifunctional navigation workstations (with software).

The first Ritz-Carlton yacht had an initial building cost / as ordered EUR 190 million (USD 225 million). During the vessel's construction, due to design changes, the cost reached EUR 240 million (USD 260 million) and the delivery was rescheduled from November to December 2019. In August 2019, the shipbuilder (Astilleros Barreras) demanded an additional EUR 50 million (USD 55 million) to finish the first Ritz-Carlton superyacht.

Ritz-Carlton's 3-ship project's equity investor is Oaktree Capital Management ( Los Angeles USA -based global investment management firm). The shipbuilding order was supported by CESCE Espana ( Madrid Spain -based commercial risk management company/world's 4th-largest, also ECA-Export Credit Agency) and CaixaBank SA (fka Criteria CaixaCorp - one of Spain's largest banks).

The deal with CESCE covered the Evrima yacht's cost overruns, secured the construction of Ritz-Carlton's second vessel (tbn) and also saved the Astilleros Barreras shipyard from bankruptcy.

MS Evrima Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022

The new superyacht was planned to enter service for Ritz-Carlton in January 2020, but due to the pandemic, these plans were changed several times (8, to be exact). A total of 138 voyages (itineraries planned for 2020-2021-2022) were canceled. Eventually, the ship's Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for October 15, 2022.

( MAIDEN VOYAGE 2022 ) 8-night/7-day Mediterranean from Barcelona to Nice - from USD 7100 (EUR 6970 / GBP 5880) per person with double occupancy.

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing 2022) 12-day from Lisbon to Barbados (from US$6890 / EUR 5840 / GBP 5010 pp)

(inaugural Caribbean cruise 2022) 5-day roundtrip from Barbados (from US$3690 / EUR 3130 / GBP 2680 pp)

Ritz-Carlton Inaugural cruise itineraries 2020 (canceled)

On February 1, 2020, the Ritz-Carlton ship Evrima (fka Azora) was scheduled to depart on a 4-day Inaugural Cruise from Fort Lauderdale FL to Key West FL and Bimini Islands (Bahamas) . Previously, the company announced starting operations in November 2019. Yacht's delivery was planned for 2019-Q4, but reset the launch date to coincide with "Super Bowl LIV" at Dolphins Stadium ( Miami FL ). The maiden voyage was supposed to start a Caribbean itinerary program extending through March 28, when was planned a 12-day Transatlantic repositioning crossing from the Caribbean to Europe ( Barbados to Lisbon Portugal ).

In Europe, Ritz-Carlton's first Mediterranean voyage was planned as 8-day roundtrip from Lisbon to Gibraltar, Valencia, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca. With it, the yacht had to start an inaugural Mediterranean season extending through July (2020). For July 5th was scheduled a 9-day itinerary (Bordeaux to London UK) visiting the French ports Belle-Ile, St Malo, Honfleur and also St Peter Port (Guernsey, Channel Islands). From London followed the repositioning to Northern Europe prior to the North Atlantic crossing (via Iceland) to Halifax (departure Sept 12, 2020). Next were planned Canada-New England itineraries, starting with a 7-day voyage from Halifax. On October 27, the ship was planned to reposition to the Caribbean again with a 9-day itinerary (Boston to Nassau Bahamas).

Later in 2019, the boat's maiden voyage was rescheduled for February 5, 2020. The 10-night Carbbean itinerary (booking code 11200205) was from Florida to Barbados, with prices starting from EUR 9200 / USD 10400 per person with double occupancy (Terrace Suite rates, inclusive of all taxes and fees).

Next are listed the originally scheduled Ritz-Carlton cruises (all canceled in October 2019) between:

• Bridgetown Barbados and Oranjestad Aruba (7-night, Feb 15-22) visiting Bequia (Saint Vincent/overnight), Mayreau (Saint Vincent), St George's (Grenada), Kralendijk (Saint Vincent), Willemstad (Curacao), with prices from EUR 4600 pp
• Oranjestad to Bridgetown (7-night, Feb 22-29) visiting Kralendijk (St Vincent), Willemstad (Curacao), St George's (Grenada), Carriacou (Grenada/overnight), Bequia (St Vincent), with prices from EUR 4630 pp
• 7-night Bridgetown to Philipsburg (Feb 29 - Mr 19)
• Follow 3 itineraries leaving from Castries (March 19) - 5-night roundtrip, and to Bridgetown (4-night and 9-night).

From Barbados was scheduled a 12-night Transatlantic repositioning cruise (March 28 - April 9) to Portugal (Lisbon), with prices from EUR 4720 pp. The itinerary included Canary islands - Tenerife (April 5 / 8 am - 9 pm) and Lanzarote (April 6 / 9 am - 10 pm).

Yacht's remaining 2020 cruise scheduled included the following itineraries (departure dates in brackets):

• 8-night Lisbon to Palma de Mallorca (Apr 9)
• 9-night Palma to Valletta Malta (Apr 17)
• 7-night Valletta to Piraeus-Athens (Apr 26)
• 7-night Athens to Venice (May 3)
• 11-night Venice to Civitavecchia-Rome (May 10)
• 8-night Civitavecchia roundtrip (May 21)
• 9-night Rome to Monte Carlo Monaco (May 29)
• 7-night Monte Carlo to Barcelona (Jun 7)
• 7-night Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca (Jun 14)
• 7-night Palma to Lisbon (Jun 21)
• 7-night Lisbon to Bordeaux France (Jun 28)
• 9-night Bordeaux to London-Greenwich (Jul 5)
• 7-night London to Amsterdam (Jul 14)
• 9-night Amsterdam to Copenhagen (Jul 21)
• 10-night Copenhagen to Stockholm (Jul 30)
• 10-night Stockholm to Copenhagen (Aug 9)
• 9-night Copenhagen to Edinburgh Scotland (Aug 19)
• 8-night Edinburgh to Reykjavik Iceland (Aug 28)
• 7-night Reykjavik roundtrip (Sept 5)
• 14-night Transatlantic crossing from Iceland to Canada - Reykjavik to Halifax NS (Sept 12) - the voyage visits Newfoundland (L'Anse aux Meadows, Corner Brook), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown/overnight), Magdalen Islands (Quebec), Saint-Pierre Island (France's St Pierre and Miquelon), and Nova Scotia (Louisbourg and Halifax/overnight)
• 7-night Halifax to Boston MA USA (Sept 26)
• 12-night Boston to Montreal (Oct 3)
• 12-night Montreal to Boston (Oct 15)
• 9-night Boston to Nassau Bahamas (Oct 27) - the repositioning cruise itinerary to the Caribbean visits Newport RI (overnight), NYC New York (overnight) and Charleston SC (overnight).
• 8-night Fort Lauderdale FL USA to San Juan Puerto Rico (Nov 6)
• 7-night San Juan to Philipsburg St Maarten (Nov 14)
• 7-night Philipsburg to Bridgetown (Nov 21)
• 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (Nov 28)
• 7-night Bridgetown to Castries St Lucia (Dec 5)
• 7-night Castries to Philipsburg (Dec 12)
• 8-night Philipsburg to San Juan (Dec 19) - the Christmas 2020 cruise itinerary visits Falmouth (Antigua), Basseterre (St Kitts), Gustavia (St Bartholemy), Virgin Gorda (BVI/overnight), Road Town (Tortola BVI/overnight), Jost Van Dyke (BVI) and St John (BVI). Prices started from EUR 6280 pp.
• 7-night San Juan roundtrip (Dec 27) - the New Year 2020 cruise itinerary visits Samana (Dominicana), Santo Domingo (Dominicana), La Romana (Dominicana/overnight), and Ponce (Puerto Rico). Prices started from EUR 5650 pp.

ABOUT THE RITZ-CARLTON YACHT COLLECTION

Designed to combine the luxury lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton® and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers bespoke voyages in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Central America. Calling on unique and distinguished destinations alike, most voyages range from seven to ten nights, offering many overnight calls and uniquely curated experiences ashore. The first yacht, Evrima , set sail on its maiden voyage in October 2022. Measuring 190-meters in length, Evrima features 149 suites, each with its own private terrace, and accommodates up to 298 guests in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection plans to expand its fleet with two newbuild superyachts, Ilma and Luminara , slated to set sail in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The specially designed superyachts measure 241-meters in length, feature 224 spacious suites and one of the highest space ratios at sea. As with The Ritz-Carlton on land, our yachts feature personalized service, elevated dining and luxury amenities. The yachts are also available for private charter.

OFFICES The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection K2, First Floor Forni Complex, Valletta Waterfront Floriana, FRN 1913 Malta

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection 100 NE 3rd Ave. Suite 1100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

RESERVATION OFFICES

FORT LAUDERDALE RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Servicing reservations from the Americas

Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm ET; Saturday:10:00 am - 6:00 pm ET; Sunday: 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm ET

(833) 999-7292 (U.S. & Canada) or +1 (305) 907-7099 (Outside the U.S. & Canada)

MALTA RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Servicing reservations from Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 18:30 CET; Saturday: 9:00 - 18:00 CET (Sunday Closed)

+356 2778 0076 (Outside the U.K.) or 08000 488667 (U.K.)

ASIA-PACIFIC RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Servicing reservations from Asia, Australia & New Zealand

Monday - Friday:  15:00 – 00:00 AEDT; Saturday: 15:00 – 00:00 AEDT (Sunday Closed)

+61285520210

DEDICATED TRAVEL PARTNER LINE

Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm ET; Saturday: 09:00 am - 6:00 pm ET; (Sunday Closed)

(833) 753-9265 (U.S. & Canada) or +1 (305) 907-7101 (Outside the U.S. & Canada)

Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 18:30 CET; Saturday: 9:00 - 13:00 CET (Sunday Closed)

+356 2778 0081 (Outside the U.K.) or 08000 488667 (U.K.)

ASIA RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Servicing reservations from Asia

Monday - Friday:  21:00 - 06:00 CST; (Saturday & Sunday Closed)

+61285520211

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Servicing reservations from Australia & New Zealand

Monday - Friday: 08:00-12:00 & 15:00 – 00:00 AEDT; (Saturday & Sunday Closed)

The ultimate guide to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

• The 298-passenger Evrima — the first ship in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection — set sail in October.
• The all-suite yacht offers six types of accommodations — all with balconies and 24/7 room service.
• Enjoy fine food aboard: A three-star Michelin chef designed some dining experiences.

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

In one of my favorite movies, "Almost Famous," fictional groupie Penny Lane opined that "It's all happening!" The rock band closest to her heart was finally making it big and she could not contain her glee. I felt that same sense of enthusiasm when The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection finally set sail on Oct. 15, 2022.

It's been a long time coming. The launch of the line was delayed for three years due to a variety of circumstances that included slowdowns at the shipyard , the pandemic and moving its first yacht to a new shipyard for completion. So it was a thrilling moment when its first ship, Evrima, welcomed guests in Barcelona on Saturday.

Way back in 2017, executives at The Ritz-Carlton announced the development of a line of brand-new yachts that would supposedly change the face of luxury cruising — at least for Marriott loyalists and anyone that prefers a small-ship experience.

Whether you're road-tripping or globetrotting, the suite life is always better. Download the free TPG App to upgrade your travel!

Evrima is the first superyacht in the Ritz trio. Ilma and Luminara will join it in the future.

Luxury travel fans that love small-ship sailing with a focus on "greatest hits" cruise destinations, suite-style accommodations and Michelin-level dining want to know if The Ritz-Carlton is worth the wait. Read on for a guide to this brand-new cruise line.

3 things TPG loves about The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

• The superyacht Evrima is intimate, accommodating 298 passengers.
• The aft Marina platform affords easy entry to the sea for swimming and nonmotorized water sports.
• An all-inclusive fare includes beverages, tips, all dining, Wi-Fi, a personal concierge and more.

What we could do without

• We wish the tie-in with Marriott Bonvoy's loyalty program was a bit more advantageous for elites. You need to be Marriott Titanium or higher to receive complimentary priority boarding and departure benefits. We'd love to see the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card add priority boarding as a benefit in the future.
• We'd also love to see some more unusual ports of call once the line hits its stride. For example, while Ritz's Athens (Piraeus), Greece round-trip itinerary with an overnight call on Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey plus Santoniri and Milos, Greece may entice new-to-cruisers, those who take several luxury cruises a year have probably already been to all of those ports of call — more than once or twice. (We know: first-world problems.)

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's fleet

At the inception of the cruise line, the company announced it would sail three identical yachts. While three yachts are still the plan — Ilma and Luminara are set to join Evrima in 2024 and 2025, respectively — the ships will not have the same design.

The line tapped Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, to build ships two and three, and Ilma and Luminara will be much larger than Evrima. They'll be 171 feet longer than their sister ship and measure 46,750 gross register tons compared with Evrima's roughly 24,000 gross register tons. Like Evrima, the second and third ships will be all-suite ships, but they will feature 228 suites instead of 149. Additionally, the next-generation ships will have a higher percentage of larger suites than Evrima.

According to the cruise line, it has an eye toward sustainability. In regards to Ilma and Luminara, it says "each vessel will be fitted with four dual-fuel engines and utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its main fuel source, significantly reducing emissions as compared to traditional practices. Additionally, the yachts will include advanced water treatment systems, an efficient heat recovery loop, LED lighting, and more, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact."

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has an option to order two additional yachts from the shipyard. It will be interesting to see if the line sticks to its three initial ships or expands to a five-ship fleet.

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Destinations and itineraries

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has solved a problem I've had for a long time with the luxury cruise market: the length of the sailings offered. Often, luxury lines program incredible voyages of 14 or more nights. Sure, they sound wonderful and I'd love to go ahead and book them. But, my husband is a small business owner, and my job is busy too; it's hard for us to take two weeks or more of vacation at once. We prefer high-end vacations that are on the shorter side.

The Ritz yacht offers a nice mix of voyages that span four to 12 nights, making it much easier for working professionals to book them. But if you do have more time, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection can also accommodate you with back-to-back sailings. That makes it a snap to customize a longer sailing.

Evrima began its sailing career in October 2022 with plans for a series of five European itineraries before it is set to reposition to the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Bahamas for the winter.

The yacht's inaugural "warm weather" season offers five-, seven-, 10- and 12-night itineraries, including:

• Bridgetown, Barbados round trips.
• Bridgetown, Barbados to Philipsburg, St. Martin (and reverse).
• Philipsburg to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• San Juan round trip.
• San Juan to Bridgetown (and reverse).
• Bridgetown to Panama City, Panama.
• Panama City to San Jose (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica.
• San Jose round trip.
• San Jose to Fort Lauderdale.
• Fort Lauderdale round trip.

If you love transatlantic sailings, check out Evrima's 13-night April 14 itinerary that departs San Juan and arrives in Lisbon, Portugal with calls on Hamilton, Bermuda; Horta and Ponta Delgada in The Azores; plus nine sea days.

The ship then tours the Mediterranean through October 2023.

Related: The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler

You'll love this line if…

OK. You got us here. The line just started sailing and we haven't been on board just yet so we can't tell you exactly what you'll love about this line. But we can make some educated guesses based on The Ritz's track record, the marketing material we've seen so far and early reviews from other sailors.

The Ritz-Carlton brand is all about exemplary service. We expect this drive to deliver an authentic, above-average experience to find its way onto the yachts. The Ritz offers luxury but it's never stuffy or stodgy. Instead, the line and yacht offer modern and elegant decor (nothing fussy), personalized service and Michelin-star quality dining.

One of the appealing things about The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is its all-inclusive fares — something it will have in common with many luxury cruise lines.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fares include:

• ocean-view accommodations with a private balcony, which The Ritz calls a "terrace."
• a dedicated Personal Concierge.
• all dining at multiple restaurants as well as 24-hour in-suite room service.
• beverages (all nonalcoholic, bottled water, coffee and tea plus select wines and liquors) throughout the yacht and in your suite.
• onboard entertainment and enrichment.
• a marina-style platform with access to nonmotorized watersports while at anchor.
• onboard gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff. (You will need to tip for salon and spa services.)

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Cabins and suites

If you gravitate toward modern interior design with sleek surfaces, mixed textures and muted earth tones, you'll appreciate the suites aboard Evrima. (Each cabin type is referred to as a "suite" in The Ritz-Carlton yacht world even if it's not technically two or more rooms.)

The line tapped Tillberg Design of Sweden to envision its cabins. With a private yacht feel, akin to The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Florida's Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach, along with Los Angeles, the emphasis is on comfortable open-concept spaces and natural light.

Upon arrival at your suite, a chilled bottle of Moët et Chandon (Grande Marque Champagne, Brut Imperial, Non-Vintage, according to a publicist we spoke to) will greet you. Enjoy that out on your private balcony before getting to know the intricacies of your cabin. All suites offer a king-size bed with high-end Frette linens, digital flat-screen TV, a minibar stocked with your preferences (bottled water is Perrier) and an in-suite safe. Each suite has a Nespresso machine and a selection of complimentary specially roasted coffee and teas from Illy Cafè and Dammann Frères. If you want hypoallergenic pillows, those are available upon request.

The bathroom features a double vanity, luxury bath amenities, robes and slippers, a vanity mirror and a hair dryer.

You can order 24-hour room service. The All-Day Dining menu features influences from every dining venue on board and a Late-Night Dining menu will also be available.

Each suite is also assigned a personal concierge. According to Ritz-Carlton, this person "is your single onboard touchpoint to ensure a flawless, seamless journey from beginning to end."

Finally, the yacht also offers connecting and convertible suites for families and friends traveling together.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Let's take a look at what the suites look like:

Terrace Suites

Entry-level cabins are called Terrace Suites. Ninety cabins in this category are 300 square feet with a 67-square-foot balcony. Two Terrace Suites are ADA-compliant (adhering to standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act).

Signature Suites

The next cabin category covers more floor space at 429 square feet and accommodates a king bed plus a convertible sleeper sofa. The balcony is 101 square feet. There are 27 Signature Suites and one is ADA-compliant.

Grand Suites

Are you the type that tends to overpack for a voyage? Then a Grand Suite — there are 14 of them on the ship — may be right for you since it offers dual walk-in closets. It also offers a king bed plus a convertible sleeper sofa. The suite interior is 587 square feet and the terrace is 108 square feet.

2-Story Loft Suites

The yacht's 611-square-foot, bi-level Loft Suites are interesting because they separate the living space (upstairs) from your sleeping quarters (downstairs). The plus is that you can enter the suite from hallways on both levels. The bathroom situation is also upgraded, with a double vanity master bathroom that includes a soaking tub and a separate shower (on the lower level) and a powder room on the upper level. Adding a bit of privacy, the convertible sleeper sofa in this stateroom is on the upper level that's otherwise devoted to living/dining space. The terrace is also on the upper level, at 76 square feet, and downstairs features a panoramic picture window for sea views. The yacht features 12 Loft Suites.

View Suites

At first blush on the deck plan, the four View Suites may seem similar to the Grand Suites. But, there's an important difference: floor-to-ceiling windows throughout that offer incredible views of the ocean and port. Suites 732 and 733 are 544 square feet with an 86-square-foot balcony while suites 734 and 735 are larger, at 574 square feet with a 97-square-foot balcony. This cabin category features a king bed and a convertible sleeper sofa.

Owner's Suites

The ship's two Owner's Suites, at 1,091 square feet, are larger than most Manhattan apartments. There are two nice things about this accommodation: a second full bath and a 592-square-foot balcony. The terrace is outfitted with upgrades such as outdoor furniture (a full sofa, two chairs, a coffee table, two loungers and two cocktail tables) and a dining table for four. The piece de resistance, however, is the private hot tub.

Inside, you'll find plenty of room to spread out with a dining table for six, a sitting area with four chairs and a table and a second sitting area with a loveseat, coffee table and two chairs. Beds includes a king bed and a convertible sleeper sofa. One more extra amenity is a pair of high-end binoculars for guest use.

Restaurants and dining

Even though the yachts will only host up to 298 passengers at full capacity, there are several distinct dining venues — including S.E.A, designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg in Germany.

All venues feature fresh, local ingredients while serving cuisine influenced by the destinations the yacht visits.

Related: The 9 best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

The Evrima Room

While Ritz yachts won't have main dining rooms the way you're used to seeing them aboard mega-ships — huge cavernous venues that pack everyone in tight during meal service — The Evrima Room is the ship's main restaurant. Here, you can dine as a couple or join other travelers in an intimate and relaxed setting. The restaurant is on Deck 4, aft, and the menu will change with the seasons.

This is one of the most romantic spots on the ship. On Deck 8, aft, in front of the pool, this laidback venue was designed for a lunch under the sun or a romantic alfresco meal in the evening. The Mediterranean-style menu features the local catch, and you can order prime cuts of meat from the grill. You can enjoy drinks here, too, as you take in the beauty of the yacht.

Every ship needs a sushi bar, and you'll find one aboard Evrima on Deck 6 at Talaat Nam, which also offers a family-style table experience and outdoor dining with a view of the ship's wake. While we haven't yet seen the sushi menu, a passenger shared the dinner menu and it looks fantastic.

Starters include a Thai mango salad, chicken satay, Vietnamese-style spring rolls, hamachi, gyoza, beef tataki, red miso soup and edamame. Entrees are appealing and include beef rendang, chicken adobo, Thai prawn curry, Thai red curry, pancit noodles, ramen, chicken laksa and kimchee fried rice. Desserts include one of my favorite flavors: pandan. The leaves of this aromatic plant remind me of coconut and vanilla. That's presented in a custard delicacy. You can also order mango sticky rice or an almond sago avocado concoction with coconut ice cream.

The Pool House

When you want to enjoy a more relaxed meal, be it an early-risers breakfast, lunch or late-night nosh, The Pool House — on Deck 5 directly in front of the aft pool — will punch the ticket. Menu items are prepared a la minute in this open-air space.

Passengers on the first sailing reported a breakfast menu that ranged from challah French toast with berries and syrup to a garden frittata, lobster omelet with Hackleback caviar, breakfast tacos, bagels with lox, avocado toast and more. Coffee is by Illy and tea by Dammann Freres.

Lunchtime and afternoon "to share" items looked yummy, too: guacamole, fried calamari, blistered shishito peppers, sticky chicken wings, Peruvian ceviche, baked cauliflower and wild mushroom flatbread.

More substantial menu items included burgers, buttermilk fried chicken, lobster and shrimp rolls, beer-battered cod, steak sandwiches, roasted salmon BBQ baby back ribs and four interesting salads. Dessert is limited but includes ice cream, chocolate fudge brownies and creme brulee.

If you're a fan of chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, his three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, head to S.E.A., on Deck 6 where he's created a "specialty dining experience." In cruise lingo, that usually means it carries an extra surcharge and that is the case here. (We're reaching out to The Ritz to find out the exact cost, but a passenger reported it cost $625 for her and her boyfriend to dine there.) In terms of food, it's a "European tasting menu;" more details to come. Reservations are required.

The Living Room

Coffee drinkers and snackers need to memorize the location of The Living Room on Deck 4. It's a place to socialize or just sink into its comfy chairs to read a book from the library. Throughout the day and night, you can order freshly roasted coffees and espresso and pick up pastries and other treats.

The Marina Terrace

Just above the Marina, you'll find this spot that serves drinks and "light bites."

You'll no doubt spend plenty of time at The Bar. Kick-start each night of your voyage with a special cocktail or Champagne toast and stop by for a nightcap after dinner. Looking for something decadent? This lounge serves premium Champagnes paired with caviar.

In-suite dining

There is an All-Day Dining menu that can be served in your suite or on your balcony 24/7.

Entertainment and activities

Life aboard any yacht is naturally a bit more laid-back than the vibe you'll find on mega-ships that offer dozens of bars, a comedy club, Broadway-style productions, karaoke, casino games and more.

Theaters and shows

While there is no theater on board the ship, there are opportunities to enjoy live music. Initial reports from passengers indicate that evenings are a bit on the quiet side so far.

The Observation Lounge

As twilight descends, passengers seek out The Observation Lounge on Deck 10. With incredible sea views, it's the place to get to know your fellow passengers over a drink at sunset followed by late-night dancing.

As mentioned above, The Living Room does double duty. It's a library and coffee house during the day, but it morphs into a piano bar and dance hall at night. Enjoy live music here in the evening hours. It's expected to be the go-to cocktail lounge on the ship.

Other interior attractions and activities

Despite the ship's intimate stature, it offers the amenities you'd expect of a luxury cruise ship. You'll find a spa, fitness center, cigar bar and boutique. Here are more details.

Forward on Deck 9, The Spa — open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily — is quite well equipped for such a small ship. Here you'll find all manner of salon and beauty services as well as treatments ranging from deep muscle to hot stone massage.

The complete spa oasis includes a Relaxation Lounge and outdoor relaxation areas, including a hot tub all the way forward on that deck. There also are separate "Heat Experience" facilities — aroma steam rooms and dry saunas — for male and female passengers. They're in the changing areas. The spa provides lockers, robes, slippers, shower caps, towels and all the other accouterments you'd expect.

Treatment prices are similar to what you'd find on land. In the beauty salon, a shampoo and style starts at $80 for short hair, $90 for medium and $100 for long. A haircut and style are a bit more expensive, starting at $100 for short hair, $125 for medium and $140 for long hair. Hair straightening or curling (with no wash) is a bargain at $55. If you want a manicure, the 45-minute "Supreme" will set you back $95. For men, a beard trim starts at $35 while a shave starts at $75.

But it's the spa treatments most people get excited about. Aboard the yacht, there are several massage options, such as the 60-or 90-minute signature "Evrima" massage (starting at $255), where light to moderate pressure is paired with aromatherapy essential oils. Also available are deep muscle massages (starting at $205) and piedras calientes therapy treatments, which use warmed stones (starting at $275). After a day in port, you might want the hour-long black masque Leg Renewal Treatment ($130) that alleviates tired legs by reducing inflammation and encouraging enhanced circulation.

An array of facials are also available, including the 90-minute Ultimate Radiance and Renewal Facial ($320) that uses ESPA skincare-brand products.

If you plan to book several treatments, your best bet may be buying one of these packages:

If you didn't prebook a treatment before boarding, your personal concierge can assist you on board; otherwise, call or visit The Spa. A receptionist will explain the options and make your arrangements.

If you use Technogym equipment at home, you'll recognize the gear in the yacht's fitness center on Deck 9 near The Spa. You'll find treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, free weights and more.

In addition to the exercise equipment, you can also sign up for personal training sessions (30 minutes starting at $75), private yoga sessions (an hour starts at $100) and fitness consultations (starting at $275). The Gym is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Talk with The Spa to make reservations.

Guests can also take advantage of complimentary group exercise programs and presentations on such wellness topics as nutrition. Consult the onboard activity guide for more details.

Note that the gym can only be used by passengers who are 18 and older. Sixteen and 17-year-olds can use the facility when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (or upon filling out an authorized consent form).

The Humidor

Most luxury ships have a cigar bar, and Evirma is no different. The Humidor on Deck 10 offers premium cognac paired with hand-rolled cigars.

The Boutique

While you won't find a veritable shopping mall aboard Evrima in the style of Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade, you will find The Boutique on Deck 4. The line promises leading luxury labels and artwork from local craftspeople.

Deck-top attractions

On Evrima, the deck attractions focus on the great outdoors. The aft Marina will wow anyone that loves watching the waves and jumping into the water to enjoy snorkeling or paddleboarding. Here's what you can expect on the deck of the Ritz-Carlton yachts.

While not on the top deck, The Marina is a standout feature of the yacht. It's on Deck 3 with direct access to the water. Here, you can borrow gear — like paddleboards, windsurf boards, kayaks, sailboats and snorkel equipment — for complimentary watersports. As with similar watersports platforms on other ships, the Marina will only open when weather conditions are right and local authorities permit its usage.

Even if you don't plan to get in the water, The Marina is an ideal spot to spend a sunny day. Multiple seating areas afford incredible views.

This deck is especially atmospheric at night with accent lighting that creates a beautiful blue glow.

Evrima has three pools. The main pool is on Deck 5, aft, near The Pool House restaurant.

A smaller pool is on Deck 8 near Mistral and the Ritz Kidz club.

A small, round pool — with a shade canopy — is located on Deck 9, forward, at The Spa Terrace.

Observation Terrace

The Observation Terrace is all the way forward on Deck 10, in front of the Observation Lounge. This is your perch for a bird's-eye view from the ship. Comfy seating areas abound where you can grab a drink and chat with newfound friends.

Children's programs

Where other cruise lines such as Viking and Virgin Voyages have barred children from their ships, Ritz-Carlton has no such limitations on its yachts. Children as young as 6 months can sail with the line.

The line purposely carved out space aboard each vessel for a Ritz-Kids club on Deck 8 aft. Children ages 4-12 are welcome to attend the programs in the club, which range from educational to arts and crafts. The program will be beefed up during the summer and holidays. There will be a nominal fee for each session.

While guests have access to Ritz-Kids, babysitting services are not offered.

A limited number of cribs are available upon request.

What to know before you go

Here are some big-picture details you should know before you cruise with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Dress codes

The line says it focuses on the "casual freedom of a yachting vacation," so you don't need to worry about packing formal wear. There are no formal nights on Ritz yachts. Passengers on the first sailing report that some gentlemen are wearing sportcoats in the evening while others aren't. Women are donning flowing palazzo pants and pretty blouses as well as cocktail dresses and sundresses.

Even so, when packing for your Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise, keep these two dress codes in mind:

Yacht Casual: At breakfast and lunch, shirts, shoes and bathing suit cover-ups are required unless you're at the pool. Then you can go barefoot and you don't need to cover up your swimsuit.

In the evening, put away the sleeveless T-shirts and bathing suits. Shirts and shoes are required throughout the yacht in the evening, even if you're sitting by the pool.

Yacht Sophisticated: If you plan to dine at chef Sven Elverfeld's specialty restaurant, collared shirts — though not required — are highly recommended.

Required documents

All passengers must bring aboard a passport that's valid at least six months after the voyage's disembarkation date. Visa requirements vary by destination, and it's up to you to determine what paperwork you need to sail. The line recommends that passengers coordinate visa requests with Pinnacle Travel Document Systems at 1-888-838-4867.

There is no need to tip the staff on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vessels. A service charge — except for spa treatments and salon appointments — is included in the cruise fare. Of course, feel free to tip any crew member that goes above and beyond during your voyage.

Related: Cruise ship gratuity, service charge and tipping guide

Wi-Fi is included in the cruise fare. Early reports indicate that it's stable and some have even taken Zoom calls from their suites.

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring wine aboard the yacht. However, there will be a $20 corkage fee if you enjoy it in a dining room. You can't bring liquor aboard.

Smoking policy

There is only one place to go on the ship if you want to smoke (and that includes e-cigarettes): The Humidor on Deck 10. You can't smoke anywhere else — not even on an open deck. If the smell of smoke is detected in your suite, you will be tagged with a $1,000 cleaning fee.

Pressing, laundry and dry-cleaning services are available upon request through in-suite services for an additional cost. A self-service Guest Launderette is located on Deck 9, where an iron, washer, dryer and detergent will be available at no additional cost.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

Suites have both 230v and 120v outlets plus USB charging capabilities.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. When you board, you'll put down a credit card to which all of your onboard purchases will be charged.

Drinking age

According to the line's ticket contract, "Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served wine and beer, and at least 21 years old to be served alcoholic beverages other than wine and beer. When docked or anchored in U.S. ports, or within the U.S. territorial sea, guests must be at least 21 years old to be served any alcoholic beverage."

The loyalty program

You can earn and burn Marriott points on Evrima sailings.

The good news first: Marriott Bonvoy members earn 5 points per $1 spent on cruise fares as well as hotel packages at participating Marriott hotels booked through The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

You'll also earn one elite night credit for each night you sail. Note that the passenger paying for the cruise will earn the points and elite night credits.

Now for the not-so-hot news: Redemption rates aren't terrific. Redeem 180,000 points for $1,000 off your cruise fare. You can then spend increments of 90,000 points to get an additional $500 off.

TPG values Marriott points at $0.84 each. That means we'd prefer to use 180,000 points for redemptions that would cost $1,512 or more in cash. The offer to use points on a sailing is below our preferred threshold.

However, sometimes RCYC will offer a more lucrative special promotion; for example, book select sailings and earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points in addition to what you'll earn per dollar paid on the cruise fare. Check the "Offers" tab of the line's website to check for deals like that.

If you are a Marriott elite, here's what you can expect onboard.

Related: The award traveler's guide to Marriott Bonvoy

What it costs

As you may imagine, you can't book a yacht experience on a shoestring budget, but there are some good values to be had during The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's first sailing season. For a luxury experience of this caliber, expect to pay about $700 to $900 per person per night for Caribbean sailings and from about $1,100-plus per person per night for Mediterranean itineraries.

Maybe this will change in the future, but the line's cruise fares aren't solo traveler-friendly. All suites carry a 200% single supplement (i.e., you will pay double the per-person rate based on double occupancy when you travel in a cabin alone).

Staterooms can accommodate third and fourth guests at a rate of 50% of the first and second berth rate. Those additional guests must be under 14. Note that a limited number of roll-away beds are available upon request.

You'll pay 25% of the first and second berth for infants and toddlers 6 months to 2 years old when reserved as the third berth in a suite. A parent or guardian who's 21 or older must accompany any child. Note that on voyages with three or more consecutive days at sea, the minimum age for children is one year. Children under the age of 5 cannot board the Zodiacs.

Related: 15 ways cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

How to book

At TPG, we recommend that travelers always use a travel agent that specializes in cruise travel to book their cruises. Using a knowledgeable travel agent won't cost you a penny, and it can provide many advantages. First and foremost, travel agents understand the nuances of each cruise line and ship and can recommend the best options for you, from which stateroom to select to the perfect itinerary. Travel agents also often get access to special reduced cruise fares or perks that can add a lot of value to your sailing. If something goes wrong, you've got an ally that can work directly with the cruise line on your behalf for a resolution.

If you don't use a travel agent, you can book directly through The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Just give them a call or shoot them an email, and they will match you with an internal cruise adviser.

Or, you can book your voyage online. There are all sorts of online travel agents and discounters from which to choose.

You can even book a Ritz-Carlton yacht adventure through Delta's SkyMiles Cruises. For example, at press time, you can book a seven-night Central America voyage aboard Evrima for $5,400 per person. Bonuses include $1,000 in travel credits to get to/from the ship (that can be used on things such as an upgrade to first-class seats, a limo transfer and pier parking), and you can earn up to 10,000 SkyMiles.

No matter which method you use to book your voyage, maximize your credit card points when paying for the sailing by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining.

And, of course, you may want to use the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card.

Related: 6 tips for booking your first cruise

Bottom line

Pairing The Ritz's long history in the luxury hospitality market with small-ship cruising is a big win for cruisers. The line's participation in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program further sets it apart from other lines that don't have a points partner in the hotel space. While the redemption rate isn't amazing, we still call it a win to be able to book a cruise with points.

More stories to help you plan your next cruise:

• Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
• Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 7 best meals at sea
• The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler
• What to pack for your first cruise

Review: Ritz-Carlton Evrima

What is the cruise line?  Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Name of ship?   Evrima

Passenger occupancy?  298

Itinerary?  European (Mediterranean), Transatlantic, & Caribbean itineraries

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?  Ritz-Carlton’s foray into cruising melds small-ship (or mega yacht, depending on your past sea experience) journeys with plenty of scenery options: the European Mediterranean (with routes ranging from Turkey to the Canary Islands) spring through fall, and the Caribbean (San Juan to St. Bart’s) in winter. The 624-foot Evrima , which is the first in a fleet of three ships emerging over the next few years, is an antidote to mega cruises that still feels massive to anyone who’s ever truly yachted.

Guests are on the younger side of the luxury cruising market (the majority being under 55) and primarily culture-loving travelers with a dearth of cruising experience—about 80 percent of guests (so far) have never cruised before, Ritz-Carlton says—eager to explore fabulous ports of call ranging from small (French villages like Sanary-sur-mer) to standard (Bridgetown, Barbados). Clear focuses on cuisine, relaxation, and small entertainment offerings like live music trios and high tea make this feel like a luxury hotel you never want to leave—one that just so happens to be floating at sea. The first of two sister ships, dubbed Ilma, debuts in 2024. A twin ship to the Evrima is slated for arrival in 2025.

Tell us about the ship in general Five deck levels (of nine total) open to guests and hold six restaurants, 149 suite-style cabins, four pools, cigar humidor, two bars (the interior Living Room and top-floor al fresco Observation Deck), a beauty salon and  spa deck , a water-level marina terrace with water toys, and a fitness center. Launched in late 2022 after several years of planning and 14 months of delays, it’s a mega-yachting experience that feels more focused on connections with the destination and the people around you—guests and staff alike. Only very slightly smaller than comparable ships by Crystal, Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn vessels, Evrima manages to feel incredibly intimate thanks to its fewer guests (guest capacity is about  half those of its competitors), relaxed pace, and overnight ports of call for plenty of time to go ashore.

Who is onboard?  Parents in need of a getaway without their teenagers, newly retired folks, and the occasional family with one or two (very well-behaved) kids who can spend their afternoons at the kid’s club. This is not a particularly family-focused offering—there’s one medium-sized pool and a few pool/hot tub options placed around the decks—but thanks to a small daycare option onboard there may be a few token kids around during the day. By night, the vibe is more adults-only, with rowdy singalongs at the Observation Deck champagne and piano bar, and sultry jazz vibes taking over the interior Living Room common space. Dining options also have a squarely adult feel, although they range in formality from casual light bites and bowls between pool sessions, to the 28-seat, reservations-required venue S.E.A., whose Mediterranean-inspired menu includes trademark dishes from the Michelin-starred restaurant Aqua, of the Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg in Germany.

Describe the cabins  All 149 cabins are suites with their own sea-facing balcony—no interior rooms here. Sizes range from 300-square-foot Terrace suites to 575-square-foot View suites, 600-square-foot two-story Lofts, and the crown jewel Owner’s Suite for over 1,000 square feet of luxury complete with a hot tub on the additional 635 square feet of terrace. The base level Terrace suites are spacious in themselves, with double vanities, a walk-in shower stocked with Dyptique toiletries, a tea and coffee bar, wine-stocked mini fridge, and six-by-ten-foot balconies—but upgrading to a Signature or Grand doesn’t hurt if you want some extra space in the form of a sitting area or bathtub.

Tell us about the crew   Evrima crew are about as seasoned as they come—Marriott vetted tens of thousands of industry veterans to select 250 staff, ranging from deck crew to your cabin’s personal butler (also called concierge), all of whom are dubbed the ship’s Ladies and Gentlemen. Personal concierges are unstuffy (it’s less white-glove butler service and more of a blazer-donning personal assistant) and can handle everything from dinner and shore-experience reservations to arranging the unpacking of your suitcase—all while you’re off enjoying the ship or a docking; a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Journeys app downloaded to your phone on arrival keeps them just a text message away at all time. Servers and deck crew are cordially chatty, full of recommendations, and can be one in the same at times—you may notice some swapping their daytime deck uniform for server’s clothes to pour your wine or bartend in the evenings. Impressively, there’s also an art curator onboard offering up tours of the ship’s sprawling collection.

But titles feel almost superfluous aboard Evrima , where everyone from the tender drivers to food and beverage leads will pause to actually get to know you, and recall your name and story (and even your drink order) throughout your stay to make the entire experience feel organic and warm. It’s almost like you’re spending the night in someone’s home (which just so happens to be a 624-foot mega yacht). There were some service issues on the inaugural sailing that I joined (no doubt the result of staffing and sourcing shortages) but each snag was met with a graceful recovery or some spell-binding experience that would make you forget. The personal feel of the ship lended to some truly magical moments; one spirited deck crew/dining server on my sailing hitting the Observation Deck lounge’s piano-bar stage to sing Adele one evening (after some fellow staff let slip she was an incredible singer) is one example that had the ship buzzing for days on end.

What food and drink options are available on board?  All meals and drinks (with some exceptions; see below) are included on Evrima . The ship’s six dining venues range in formality from the bow-nestled Pool House for light bites and breakfast, to the 28-seat, reservations-required tasting menu at S.E.A. created by Michelin-starred chef Sven Elverfeld of the Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg in Germany. In between there’s the elevated-casual Mistral for al fresco Mediterranean favorites like rack of lamb and seared scallops; the Evrima Room for white-table-cloth dining with wine pairings; and Talaat Nam for Thai-fusion and sushi options. There’s also the Living Room for pastries, coffee, and snacks (plus high tea once or so per sailing), in-suite dining all day long, and the Observation Deck champagne bar for drinks near the adjacent whiskey-stocked humidor.

S.E.A. is an add-on fee for the multi-course tasting menu (plus extra if you want wine pairings), but well worthwhile if you’re interested in experiencing the signature dishes of a Michelin-star restaurant to mix up the dining scenery on the ship—the plates are small tasting sizes, but come well-paced and along with a bread basket; the experience is slightly more laid back than most Michelin-star venues, and you’ll certainly be full by the conclusion. (There are also some wine and dining upgrades available at other dining spaces around the ship that cost extra, mostly in the high-end Evrima Room.)

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?   Evrima 's spa is a must-do thanks to its sprawling relaxation deck perfect for a post-treatment nap or hot tub soak with a fresh juice or champagne in hand—all while the picturesque shoreline goes by (Monaco was in view on my particular visit to the spa deck). As Ritz-Carlton already has the firepower of a beloved spa concept, the at-sea version of its signature massage delivers: Knowledgeable and experienced therapists who customize treatments to your needs, plus aromatherapy-forward techniques, ESPA products, and high-tech treatment rooms all had me feeling more like I was at a spa retreat rather than floating somewhere off the Cote d’Azur.

Activities and entertainment  The antidote to big cruises, Evrima has plenty of free time and overnight ports of call in its sailings so you can head ashore for a day, or even an entire evening late into the night—gallavanting, dining, and imbibing with new friends met aboard. And the replacement for shore excursions? Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's “shore experiences” with local guides leave plenty of free time for your own adventures (also for a fee), plus multi-day dockings encouraging passengers to step ashore on their own to explore the mainland by day or night. Onboard, live-music in communal bar areas await groups when they return to the ship in the evening.

If you're set on staying aboard however, there's plenty to do between the pool's loungers, scattered hot tubs, the marina terrace's water toys, five included restaurants (only S.E.A. costs extra), high tea in the Living Room on sea days, endless spa treatments plus the onboard salon (haircuts, man/pedis, and facials galore), morning yoga sessions on the bow, humidor for a scotch and cigar in the evenings, or—if you care to even bother—the state of the art gym complete with a trainer.

How was the experience for families?  The kids club is small and limited-use, but there for anyone with kids in tow—CEO Doug Prothero's own two kids tested out the program on the inaugural sailing in 2022 to make sure it has all the trappings little ones need: a play room and soft-play area, books, games, and in-house nannies borrowed from the staff when they're needed. This service is also an extra cost, with rates of $45 per three-hour window, per child.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?  Excursions on the Europe circuit include historic city-center tours, winery visits, and workshops like perfume-making and cooking classes. Ports of call can be surprisingly small, resulting in anchorings well offshore that mean guests take a small boat (called a tender) to port—which allows the relatively small vessel to reach areas most cruise ships can't, like quaint South of France villages and idyllic Caribbean ports. On sea days, enjoy programming like high tea and live entertainment while the shoreline whizzes by.

Anything we missed As someone who's prone to motion sickness (and was nervous about spending a few days aboard a small ship, accordingly) I had no issue thanks to the brisk speed of the brief morning sailings (the France route only sails for a few hours at a time during the day, and overnight) and mostly smooth water conditions. But it's wise to pack some non-drowsy motion sickness medicine for any rough sailings spent in the interior of the ship, especially if you're sensitive to vertigo.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking. There's no denying the 623-foot, 300-guest ship is still something of a playground—you could fit three mega yachts (which start at about 60 meters) on the length of Evrima . It’s perfect for those who dream of a Below Deck -style getaway with enough space to make new friends. But it still manages to feel special, especially in its quiet spaces and the moments between tiring yourself out ashore and getting a nightcap amid the Observation Deck’s rowdy piano bar singalongs.

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What It's Like On Board Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton's First Ship

What to expect on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima, a 149-suite ship with five restaurants, six lounges, and plenty of over-the-top hotel amenities.

Maya Kachroo-Levine / Travel + Leisure

“The great thing about yachting is you’re in complete control — whether you’re at anchor or at a dock,” said Doug Prothero, founder of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection . “We have the ability to make something up as we go along — and that is the yachting lifestyle."

We were drinking iced tea at the Marina, an indoor-outdoor venue hovering 10 feet above the water on the third deck of the Evrima . The yacht, named for the Greek word for “discovery,” was anchored in Alcúdia Bay, just off the northeastern coast of Mallorca, Spain. Stairs led down to a platform from which guests could dive directly into the sea. Prothero called the area, lined with sun loungers, “the beach.”

Maya Kachroo-Levine / Travel + Leisure

Prothero explained how The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection structures itineraries aboard the Evrima . Each all-inclusive sailing (with options for five-, seven-, nine-, 10-, 11-, and 12-night journeys) spends at least two days at anchor, affording guests the choice to stay lounging at sea or take a small tender boat to the nearest port (in this case, Alcúdia, Spain, where some visited the Old Town and one group of golfers even went ashore for a 7 a.m. tee time).

“We’re moving this resort,” Prothero said. “There’s never going to be a Ritz-Carlton in this place.” But there is right now.

The Inaugural Sailing

We’d left Barcelona Cruise Port the night before, on October 15, 2022, for Evrima’ s long-anticipated inaugural journey . We set sail with 220 guests, a handful of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection corporate team members, 245 Ritz-Carlton ladies and gentlemen (as the brand calls those working on board), 1,800 bottles of Moët & Chandon, and one Travel + Leisure editor (me).

Some guests had been waiting three years for this moment, having booked the original inaugural sailing, set for February 5, 2020. It was rescheduled eight times — the result of a shipyard bankruptcy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and myriad supply chain delays. And yes, I did meet travelers who had rescheduled every time, one of whom showed me eight confirmation emails over martinis at the Observation Lounge on deck 10.

Christopher Cypert / Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton

On the other hand, many passengers I met had no idea there were delays — including honeymooners who had booked this trip in January 2022 because it departed exactly a week after their wedding; a solo traveler in her 30s who I joined on a four-hour shore excursion filled with tapas and insights into the Gothic architecture of Palma, Mallorca; and a woman whose husband had surprised her with a 50th-birthday celebration aboard The Ritz-Carlton yacht she kept sending him articles about.

Once the ship sailed from Barcelona , no one was thinking about the ups and downs that preceded our voyage or how we got there. We were focused on where we were going. And it was Saturday night on Evrima .

Bars and Restaurants

I was off to The Evrima Room, the fourth-deck main dining room serving three meals a day. I ordered the charred octopus (all the fish and seafood on board are sourced locally from ports every three days), heirloom tomato risotto, and a lemon tart decked out with mini meringues and sugar-spun ornamentation.

There are four other dining venues (plus 24/7 in-room dining) on the 623-foot-long yacht: The Pool House, on the fifth deck, next to the infinity-edge pool; S.E.A., which stands for Sven Elverfeld Afloat, modeled after the chef’s Michelin three-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, Germany, on deck six; Talaat Nam, an indoor-outdoor Southeast Asian spot designed to physically wrap around S.E.A.; and open-air Mediterranean restaurant Mistral on deck eight. I polled about 20 ladies and gentlemen on their favorite restaurant, and Mistral was the overwhelming favorite. The focal point of Mistral is the pool in the middle of the venue — one of two pools on board — “Plus the sea,” Prothero quipped, “that’s the biggest pool."

All food and beverages are included in the sail price, save the curated 120-bottle reserve wine list, a collection of high-end spirits, and the seven-course tasting menu at S.E.A., which starts at $285 with wine pairings.

Amenities and Entertainment

I left The Evrima Room by 10:30 p.m. to see where people were congregating, first dropping by the fourth-deck Living Room, where a jazz trio was warming up.

There are six musicians on board, including a DJ, as well as local artists who continually rotate in. They play in different configurations, including as a pop group and a jazz trio. Guitarist Craig Stuart told me most had never met before coming together in July in Santander, Spain, where the ship was being finished, to spend the month rehearsing together.

With six lounges on board, nearly every space felt lively, but none too crowded. From The Living Room, we migrated to deck 10 where the cozy, 404-square-foot Humidor, outfitted with a The Macallan cart, Davidoff cigars, and an array of reserve-list whiskies, was — sorry, there’s no other way to say it — poppin’ off. 

The Observation Lounge had similar energy, and folks gathered around as the bartender, OJ, who garnered a band of loyal followers during our time on Evrima, strained my Negroni into a coupe, enclosed it in a glass covering, and pumped in smoke, purely for the spectacle — and to add a smoky je ne sais quoi to my nightcap.

Even the ninth-deck Spa Terrace (one of Prothero’s favorite spots because “when we’re moving, you can see the front of the ship, so the view is amazing”) had a small crowd in the whirlpool. I didn’t linger on the Spa Terrace, but came back the next morning for a deep-tissue massage in one of the five treatment rooms and a sumptuous nap in the indoor-outdoor relaxation area. 

The Staterooms

I ended my night on my private balcony wrapped in a Frette robe, transfixed by the waves of the Balearic Sea rhythmically foaming and curling against the ship. There was plenty of space inside my 429-square-foot Signature Suite to sprawl — a full tub and double vanity in the bathroom, a sitting area, a dining table, and a king-size bed.

Room options range from the entry-level Terrace Suites to the 1,000-square-foot Owner’s Suite, with a private whirlpool. Each of the 149 guest rooms has its own balcony. While the two two-story Lofts and their vast 81-square-foot terraces were the top-tier offering on the inaugural sailing, the two Owner's Suites and four View Suites have since been completed, and are now the swankiest rooms on the yacht. 

Francisco Martinez / Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton

A personal concierge is assigned to each suite, though with schedules printed daily (and posted on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection app) detailing onboard happenings, like sunset stretch and meditation on deck nine, and personalized itineraries, I rarely reached out to mine.

An Impeccable Team

As I met concierges, chefs, the two-person wine team (pro tip: always befriend the sommeliers), and shore excursion pros, I was impressed by their expertise. Of the 245 staff members on board, about half come from the world of luxury hotels and half from the world of high-end cruising. That’s how you bring a hotel concept to sea.

I talked luxury hotel shop with Theo Lakkas, a food-and-beverage lead who opened Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection , in Budapest. Executive chef John Suley came from Stephen Starr’s team and very seamlessly worked a “Wolf of Wall Street” quote into conversation. I learned about head sommelier Sebastian Pacheco’s vision for the reserve wine list — he wanted to pick up a highly sought-after case from every port city to bolster the already-expansive selection. He came from Francis Ford Coppola’s Inglenook in Rutherford, California, and was working there the last time I visited the Napa Valley winery in 2019. 

Sotheby’s-educated art concierge Rafaella Vitale, from the London art advisory world, gushed about the private tours she was planning to do with guests and the mini-auctions she’d curate for each sailing. I watched as Pacheco and Vitale ping-ponged ideas off each other for art-and-wine events they could put on during an upcoming transatlantic crossing, all while sipping Ruinart sparkling rosé from the bottle the three of us were sharing. That particular transatlantic voyage was slated to leave from Lisbon after Evrima’s christening on November 5, sail to Tenerife, Spain, spend seven days at sea, and wind up in Bridgetown, Barbados. Vitale planned to have the Bahamian artist behind the ship's upcoming rotating art exhibit, Lynn Parotti , on board for the crossing and Caribbean sailings.

Guest Rewards

As if it weren’t already apparent that this vessel is, in fact, a luxury hotel at sea by the classic light-blue Ritz-Carlton key cards, Frette robes, Diptyque bath products, and signature oils in the spa used at each of the 108 Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide, the clearest sign came on our second evening. The ship hosted the “first-ever Marriott Bonvoy member reception at sea,” according to Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano, who Zoomed in for the occasion.

The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program functions for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection much in the the same way it would on dry land: Guests can earn five points per dollar spent on their cruise fare; they can redeem points to reduce the cost of their sailing, with some limitations (an initial redemption of 180,000 points saves you $1,000, and you may then continue to redeem at a clip of 90,000 points for each $500 of savings).

Members will also earn one Elite Night Credit per night (which counts toward Marriott Bonvoy elite status ) and can enjoy a private members-only reception. The higher your status, the more perks you'll have access to, including priority boarding and departure, complimentary laundry services during your cruise, and early access to reservations at S.E.A., among others (depending on your level of status).

Where Evrima Sails — and New Ships on the Horizon

Evrima continued sailing the Mediterranean until the aforementioned transatlantic crossing, after which the yacht spent five months in the Caribbean, visiting idyllic ports of call in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Barbados, and Turks and Caicos, among other islands, before heading back across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in mid-April 2023. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has two more vessels in the works: Ilma , coming in 2024, and Luminara , coming in 2025, each with a 456-passenger capacity.  While The Ritz-Carlton is now the first luxury hotel brand at sea on this scale, Four Seasons and Aman will soon launch ships of a similar size. In 2022, Four Seasons announced a 679-foot, 95-cabin yacht , designed by the same company that worked on the Evrima , Tillberg Design of Sweden , coming in late 2025. Like Evrima , it will summer on the Mediterranean and winter in the Caribbean. Aman’s 50-suite yacht, Project Sama , also slated for a 2025 delivery, is in partnership with Cruise Saudi and will explore the Middle East.

Christopher Cypert / Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton 

I disembarked on Mallorca halfway through the seven-night inaugural sailing, which concluded in Nice, France, on October 22, 2022. When Evrima anchored off the coast of St. Tropez, the Marina, open only when the ship is at anchor, unfolded with floating platforms and a bevy of water toys, like paddleboards, sailboats, kayaks, and snorkeling accoutrements.

From my layover in London, I texted my marketing contact for pictures of Evrima anchored off St. Tropez (it’s called yacht FOMO, OK?). I could just picture what my morning would look like on board: espresso on my balcony, maybe a mimosa at the Marina, a soak in the ninth-deck whirlpool. For the afternoon, I’d move slowly, go ashore when I wanted, if I wanted, probably make it up as I went along. I hear that’s what the yachting lifestyle is all about.

Related Articles

My Experience on the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima

• February 28, 2024
• 46 Comments

My review of the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection’s new luxury yacht, Evrima, and what you can expect. Plus 8 tips to help plan your luxury cruise adventure.

We recently returned from a 5-night Caribbean cruise with Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection .

Aboard the Evrima .

Can I tell you about it?

Oh good, because you know I’m dying to …

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Jim’s been following the launch of the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection for several years.

And last year he booked us on a 5-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Evrima .

Come along as I relive our amazing experience.

Evrima , the first yacht of the collection launched in 2022, is a 149 cabin, 298 passenger ship.

Excuse me, yacht.

One does not refer to the yacht as a boat or a ship.

Now that we’ve got that straight, let’s talk more about the Evrima yachting experience.

GETTING THERE

First things first, we had to make our way to San Juan Puerto Rico. We flew American Airlines from San Francisco through Miami to San Juan arriving the evening prior to departure. We checked into the La Concha Renaissance Hotel, recommended by Ritz Carlton, using Bonvoy points for our one-night stay.

The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on our balcony overlooking the ocean and made the easy transition to island time.

By noon we were in the hotel lobby being ushered into a waiting car to be whisk away to board the yacht at the Pan American Dock. The boarding process was a breeze and before we knew it we were making our way up the gangway, enjoying a welcome cocktail and exploring our suite.

Jim and I have very different approaches to settling into a new environment. While I sipped my welcome cocktail and took in the view, Jim set about getting a handle on the technology situation.

THE YACHT – EVRIMA

Evrima set sail in October 2022 under the direction of Captain Kevin Falconer of Scotland (currently residing in Kansas City, when not captaining the yacht.). The yacht has five restaurants, six lounges, at least two pools, a spa and fitness center, cigar humidor/smoking room, boutique and, when at anchor, a marina with kayaks, paddles boards and other water toys available to enjoy right off the back of the yacht. And so much more.

The main gathering spaces are The Living Room and The Observation Lounge. Both popular spots to enjoy morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and, of course, after dinner and late night drinks and music. There are four or five really great musicians onboard who played solo and together, as well as a DJ. We were well entertained.

The yacht is elegant and understated, but the vibe onboard is friendly and casual. The dress code is ‘yacht casual’ and three of the restaurants suggest ‘yacht sophisticated’ attire. Interpretations vary. Widely.

Yacht Journey is an onboard app for guests to keep track of their cruise itinerary, maps for navigating the yacht, onboard activities and events, shore excursions, spa appointments, etc. What it does not do is update dining reservations which are booked once onboard the yacht. The app only functions onboard when connected to the yacht’s wifi. The app leaves a lot to be desired, but not to worry, a good old fashioned bulletin is deposited in each suite during evening turndown service and everything you need to know about the next day’s adventures (except dining reservations which you need to keep track of yourself) can be found there.

Evrima doesn’t have a cruise director so to speak. Andrew Kim is the yacht’s General Manager, and there are many concierges always available by phone or in the Living Room gathering space to assist with anything you need.

We booked a Signature Suite located on the 6th deck, roughly mid-ship. I loved everything about it and would choose the exact same room again.

Nothing says welcome like a chilled bottle of French bubbles.

The suite has a long entry hall, small dining and sitting areas, a nice bedroom with good storage and fairly spacious outdoor terrace … we couldn’t ask for anything more. Oh, the bathroom was a nice surprise too … more about that in a bit.

All our clothes fit easily into the his and her closets with plenty of room to spare. We packed way too much and I shared everything I packed and wore here .

The entry hall contains lots of storage with hooks, shoe shelves, and a bench. As well as a desk space, espresso machine, a nice selection of coffee pods and teas, a mini-fridge, electric kettle, ice bucket, and coasters. All the things.

While the sitting and dining areas are nice to have and make the room feel more spacious, we spent very little time using them. The table functioned more as a drop zone, and buffet table for our morning breakfast tray. The sofa converts to a bed but I can’t imagine traveling with more than two people in this suite.

The terrace is spacious with a couple of chairs, small tables and one chaise lounge. I wish there were two chaises … I hogged ours and spent quite a bit of time on the terrace with my book. I read Anderson Cooper’s Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune over the course of the voyage.

The very best part of the room, the king size bed. The most comfortable bed ever. Ever. We slept like babies and we chatted with other guest who said the same thing. I took a peek at the mattress, it’s Matermoll. Upon further investigation it appears this is a brand specifically for cruise ships and yachts. I’m sure the Frette bedding added to the comfort level. Speaking of Frette, the yachts bathrobes are the softest and coziest I’ve ever experienced. Same goes for the towels … also Frette. Whatever the cost, they’re worth it.

While we’re on the topic of bathrobes and towels, the suite bathroom was a nice surprise. Double vanity, plenty of storage, rain head shower and separate, full-size bathtub. The water closet contains another sink … as well as a second door opening into the entry hall (think Jack & Jill) which I guess makes it a powder room. A nice feature if entertaining others in your suite. I also appreciated the lighted makeup mirror … there’s also a large, lighted pull-up mirror in the bedroom’s vanity.

Leave your hair dryer at home. There’s a hairdryer in the bathroom, in a drawer and plugged in behind so you can’t move it around. I was unable to book a blow-out in the salon mid-cruise so I brought my hair dryer brush along. Unfortunately, the plug is too large for the available outlets near mirrors in the suite, so I used the hairdryer provided and it was fine. My curling iron plugged in without any issues.

THE RESTAURANTS & LOUNGES

Let’s talk about the food. It’s very good. There are five restaurants on the yacht (but no main dining room like a traditional cruise). We enjoyed all the restaurants multiples times. Except for S.E.A. which I’ll talk more about later. Restaurant reservations are made after boarding the yacht. Do this immediately, especially if you’re particular about your dining time.

The Pool House – the most casual restaurant on the yacht overlooking the main pool. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner at late night dining. The taco trio is delicious and my favorite thing on the menu … that I ordered on repeat. They have a really good burger too.

Mistral  – Mediterranean style cuisine, serving lunch and dinner.

Talaat Nam – serving southeast Asian food, Talaat Nam was our favorite restaurant for dinner. The spring rolls are amazing. Everyone on the yacht raved about them.  Hot tip – they’re available on the in-room dining menu too. Jim said their sushi was excellent.

The Evrima Room – the largest restaurant on the ship and has the feel of a main dining room. We had dinner here the first night, and it was very good, but it’s all indoor seating and we didn’t return. Had we been on a longer cruise we definitely would have gone back.

S.E.A. – is the only restaurant with an additional charge of $289 per person, plus wine pairings for a five-course European tasting menu designed by Chef Sven Elverfeld of Ritz Carlton’s three Michelin-star restaurant, Aqua. This is the only restaurant that offers advance (before departure) reservations.

The Living Room – The Living Room, on the main deck, serves as a community gathering spot and there are nibbles available throughout the day. This is really nice especially to grab something on your way back from an exhausting day onshore. Afternoon tea is served around 3:00pm and I recommend partaking at least once. And after dinner guests head here to socialize, play board games, listen to live music, dance and enjoy a nightcap.

The Observation Lounge – The Observation Lounge on the top deck is also a gathering spot with amazing views, but for whatever reason we spent more time in The Living Room.

The Bar – At the entrance to Mistral and Talaat Nam

Marina Terrace – on the third deck overlooking the marina  is the Marina Terrace that I never made it too. Jim got down there while we were anchored at Virgin Gorda. It’s hard to believe that on a relatively small ship there are many things I missed or didn’t have time to see … bottom line, it never gets boring.

The Humidor – On the top deck just before entering The Observation Lounge is the Humidor. Jim visited The Humidor a couple of times for a cigar and nightcap. I would have joined him just to be sociable, but cigar smoking (any kind of smoking) is only allowed inside the Humidor, and not on the adjacent deck. I didn’t want to get my clothes and hair all smokey.

In addition to the restaurants and lounges, in-suite dining is available 24/7. We opted for breakfast in our suite each morning and placed our breakfast card out before bed every night. Our breakfast always arrived right on time and we ate on our terrace.

All meals and beverages are included in the cruise fare, except S.E.A. There’s a standard wine and spirits menu which is wide ranging and quite good (so says Jim). In addition, specialty spirits and rarer wines are also available at an additional charge.

OUR ITINERARY

We chose a 5-night itinerary. Which is just the right amount of time for a cruise in my opinion. Any longer and I’d have to be carried off the ship in a food induced stupor.   Evrima’s itineraries vary from cruise to cruise both in duration and ports of call. The yacht traverses the Mediterranean and the Caribbean depending on time of year. And I believe they offer repositioning voyages. The yacht can also be chartered and the cruise after ours was an 8-day corporate charter. Crew members told us that the yacht has been chartered for weddings, family reunions and other events. How nice!

Ritz Carlton’s The Shore Collection offers a limited number of excursion options in most (not all) ports that can be booked about 30-days before sailing. Make sure to make you reservations right away because they fill up fast.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Our boarding time was 12:30pm so we weren’t able to spend any time exploring San Juan. I’ve visited San Juan in the past and highly recommend a pre or post cruise stay at one of the fabulous resorts on the island. The El Morro fortress in Old San Juan is not to be missed. I suppose we could have asked for a later boarding time, the ship didn’t depart until 7:00pm, and spent the day in San Juan but this was our first Ritz Carlton Yacht adventure so we went with the flow.

Our concierge led us to our suite where we took a quick tour and made our way to The Pool House for lunch. By the time we returned from lunch our luggage had arrived so we unpacked and set off again to explore the yacht.

A Welcome Aboard reception kicked off in the Observation Lounge. Champagne and other cocktails flowed and the Captain and ships officers circulated before scurrying back to the bridge. By 7:00pm we were seated for dinner in The Evrima Room as the ship got underway.

SANDY GROUND, ANGUILLA

We woke up the next morning at sea and enjoyed breakfast on our terrace before anchoring at Sandy Ground around noon.

The yacht’s daily bulletin suggested a couple of nearby destinations and restaurants and The Shore Collection offered excursions to Savi Beach or a snorkeling adventure (these are booked way in advance and most excursions were fully booked). The Marina was also open to guests wanting to snorkel, paddle board or use any of the other toys available off the back of the yacht. We opted to take the day as it came and took a tender ashore, wandered down the beach ending up at the Elvis Beach Bar. The Elvis is a total dive bar experience. Fabulous. We ordered ice cold beer, a couple of tequila shots and scored a couple of chaise lounges on the beach where we were happy to stay put for a couple of hours. We made our way back to the ship in the late afternoon in time to enjoy afternoon tea in The Living Room. A perfect first day.

GUSTAVIA, ST. BARTHELEMY (ST. BARTHS)

We opened our curtains on day two in Gustavia Harbor … and wowza! Jim said the harbor looked like an Oligarch convention in progress … the size of the yachts anchored around us was astounding. And looking toward the shore was the most charming Caribbean architecture … white buildings with red tile roofs surrounded by lush greenery. We were truly in paradise.

We booked a day at the Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa. One of two hotel-day pass options offered by The Shore Collection. The second group went to The Rosewood Le Guanahani which was pretty much next door. We compared notes once we were back on the yacht and it’s hard to say who had the more amazing experience.

While waiting to board our transportation to the hotels, we were all oh-my-gawding over the fabulousness that is the Gustavia port. This is not your average cruise port bustling with local vendors and tchotchke’s galore. No, this is a town full of hoity-toity designer boutiques … think Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Bulgaria, Hermes, Louis Vuitton. You get the idea. On our way to the hotels everyone plotted their plan of attack for our return. The yacht didn’t depart until 11:00pm, so we were free to book dinner reservations in town or shop to our hearts content. And many did exactly that. Later than night as we were enjoying a night cap in The Living Room we were highly entertained when a group of women traveling together (perhaps a birthday or bachlorette) stumbled off the last tender laden down with designer shopping bags and in very high spirits.

But back to the Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa . It was about a 30-minute drive to the other side of the island where we passed many more charming towns packed with high-end shops, restaurants and fabulous villas. We passed the Eden Rock St. Barths, owned by Pippa Middleton’s in-laws, and wondered why they weren’t offering day passes to the lowly Ritz Carlton cruise passengers. Anyway we arrived at the Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa and were ushered through the open air lobby to the infinity pool where we chose between umbrella covered chaises around the pool or on the Grand Cul de Sac beach. We opted for the beach and settled in for the day.

Our adventure included a leisurely 3-course lunch at Amis, the hotel’s French-Mediterranean restaurant. It was amazingly delicious and the bread was out of this world. Almost as good was the people watching at neighboring tables, guests parading up and down the beach, and table-side fashion show by the hotel’s boutique. We enjoyed seeing the French speaking servers traipse back and forth carrying magnums of chilled French rose. Jim wasn’t shy about waving them over to our table.

After lunch we took a walk down the beach and made our way back to our chaises before we reluctantly returned to the yacht. Before leaving we took a stroll through the Gypset La Boutique and Jim bought a fun shirt which he later regretted when he figured out he’d miscalculated the currency exchange. I was tempted by the cutest woven bag, but surprisingly I resisted. This is exactly how I want to spend everyday of vacation.

Here’s a page from Evrima’s St. Barths activity bulletin.

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA 

Antigua is the only port (besides San Juan) where we docked and could walk on and off the yacht.

Two large scale cruise ships were also in port … not mega-ships, but we were dwarfed in comparison.

We wandered through the town and found our way up the hill to St. John’s Cathedral.

After touring the church and grounds we found a taxi to Casa Roots a beach bar and restaurant on Runaway Beach. We didn’t have a reservation which caused a moment of anxiety, but we were early and managed to snag one of the best tables in this totally enchanting location. I ordered a Painkiller, Jim a sparkling rose and we settled in for another delicious lunch.

Afterwards we took a few steps out onto the beach where the restaurant has a secondary bar and rows of chaise lounges. We wandered up and down the beach before returning to the yacht.

Back on board we headed to the spa for hot stone massages. Heavenly.

SPANISH TOWN, VIRGIN GORDA, BVI

Last stop, Virgin Gorda. We booked an excursion to the Virgin Gorda Beach Baths where we traversed the caves made by massive granite boulders forming ‘baths’ between two beautiful beaches. The seas were rough with red flags warnings so there was no swimming. Back on the yacht it was too rough for the Marina to open up. The Baths is a very popular destination and it was packed. Not exactly a tranquil experience.

Another downside, the tour concluded with a too sweet drink at a restaurant at the top of the hill and we were there way too long. Despite it all, we had fun and I’m glad we went.

The last night of a cruise can be somewhat of a shock when you’re asked to pack your bags and leave your luggage outside your suite by 11:00pm. We knew from past experiences that this is standard operating procedure, but wondered if it might be different on the yacht. Sadly it was not. So we packed our bags before heading off to dinner. After dinner we went to The Living Room for a fun night of music with all the musicians on board getting together to form a band. Then it was time to make our way back to the suite.  We pushed our luggage into the hallway at 11:00pm on the dot. It was the first time we’d seen many of our neighbors also out in the hallway suffering the indignity of this inhumane procedure.

SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

Our vacation is over. What a rude awakening. No sleeping in, no room service … suites must be vacated by 8:00am. What?! We pushed the 8:00am deadline a bit and made it to The Living Room around 8:30am where we enjoyed our final croissants and pastries before disembarking. Everyone must be off the yacht by 9:30am. We headed down the gangway with 15 minutes to spare, claimed our luggage, found our car and were whisked back to where we started, La Concha Renaissance. The disembarking process was every bit as smooth and hassle free as boarding.

PRE & POST CRUISE

Ritz Carlton offers air and land packages both pre-and post cruise. San Juan is a wonderful city with a rich history and many places to explore. We would love to have extended our vacation by a few days, but it wasn’t in the cards.

Had we known we had to be off the ship by 9:30am we would have booked an earlier flight and headed straight to the airport. But we didn’t know so we arranged for a room at the La Concha Renaissance for the day using Marriott Bonvoy points. This is where we stayed the night before the cruise as recommended by Ritz Carlton. It’s an okay hotel but I would not recommend it for an extended stay. We arrived at the hotel before 10:00am, dropped luggage in our room, took a walk on the beach, and had lunch by the pool before heading to the airport.

What would we do differently? Well … not much other than book through a speciality travel agent who might have advised us about booking earlier flights, options for shore activities, and provided a clearer picture on what to expect onboard on onshore. Also providing us with a consistent and reliable point of contact. You don’t know what you don’t know and it would have been nice to have had an experienced source to guide us. And that is my number one tip:

• Book through a travel agent. Preferably a cruise specialist. Ritz Carlton’s booking services were frustrating and inconsistent. We were disappointed.
• Book air travel directly or through a trusted travel agent. Ritz Carlton’s air/land desk quoted us airfares at twice the rate we could purchase them directly. For the exact same flights.
• If your cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Uber, and Lyft are readily available and significantly less expensive than Ritz Carlton arranged transfers. Significantly less.
• Start following the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection Instagram account, and the Instagram account of Evrima’s 1st officer, Jack Ramsay . Jack offers glimpses into the yacht’s whereabouts and behind the scenes. Also follow hashtags like #ritzcarltonyachtcollection and #evrima to see what other passengers are saying, doing and wearing onboard.
• Book Shore Collection excursions, spa and salon appointments and S.E.A. reservations as soon as they are available. We received an email announcing that bookings were open about 30 days before sailing. Everything books up fast.
• Book dinner reservations early to get your choice of best tables. All restaurants open at 6:30pm, if you book between 6:30-7:00pm and show up 5 minutes early, you’re golden.
• If you’re not a Marriott Bonvoy member, consider becoming one so you can accrue points for your cruise. Being a member will also give you access to some additional benefits onboard.
• There is no ATM onboard, so bring some cash. U.S. currency is readily accepted in all the ports we visited. And we wanted to leave cash tips for our room stewards and a few others who went above and beyond during our voyage. Otherwise, tips are included in the fare and not expected, except in the spa and salon.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was our first luxury cruise experience so we have nothing to compare it too. We’ve both been on larger ships, before we met, and one cruise together. That cruise was on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and we were accompanied by a posse of 10 kids ages 20 – 25 (Kyle, the nieces and one friend each). I thought it was great, so did the kids. Jim thought it was too darned big (although he seemed to be having a grand time).

The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection’s second yacht, Ilma , sets sail later this year. I believe they’re already taking reservations. Larger than Evrima , Ilma has a 456 guest capacity. A third yacht, Luminary, is expected to debut in 2025. You can learn more about Ritz Carlton’s Yacht Collection sailings here .

I asked Jim to share his thoughts … and favorite thing and he said …  ‘the humidor, obviously, but aside from that the trip exceeded my expectations in every way. From the size of the yacht that made it an intimate experience, never crowded, super low key, and great food, I loved the smaller, intimate feel of the yacht, favorite port St. Barths.’ He’s already looking for our next itinerary … maybe the Greek islands. Or back to the Caribbean?

So there you have it, a review of my Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection experience.

I’ll be back next week with part two of our Caribbean adventure …

Everything I and Wore on the Cruise

If you have questions, by all means drop them in the comments section.

Until then, cheers from Snowberry!

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what a fun trip and review Juliet! Rod and I are in desperate need for sun. Ironically we leave for Scotland/ Ireland in May with family ( not exactly a tropical destination).

Happy Leap Day

Oh my gosh, you’re going to have the best trip and maybe you’ll see some sun … and beautiful rainbows. I envy you … Scotland and Ireland are on my bucket list. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Can’t wait to hear all about your travels. xo

I really like your travel posts, pictures and little details. Your wit about other passengers dealing with the inhumane 11pm suitcase in hallway practice, funny! I like you two have fun together be it dive bar w cold beer and tequila shots or classy dinner. We’re more beach resorts vs cruising but the diversity of adventures is tempting.

Hi Carol, thanks for reading and appreciating my sarcasm. We’re totally beach resort people too and that’s why it’s been such a long time we considered a cruise. Jim’s been fascinated with Ritz Carlton’s small ship concept and I have to say, other than some booking frustrations, they’ve really pulled it off. I love unpacking once and letting my floating hotel room take me to many fabulous beach resort locations. And one of the great things about cruises is you don’t have to go tromping around on tours with the masses, you can go straight to one of the beautiful island resorts and spend the day lounging pool – or beach – side. Have an amazing day! xo

This morning we got an email about the Ritz Carlton Cruise Collection, and we also go the email with this overview. SO helpful! Thank you!! I can’t wait to see what you packed!

Hi Judy, Two RC emails this morning … could it be a sign?!!!! I hope so! xo

” Ritz Carlton’s booking services were frustrating and inconsistent. We were disappointed.” I had the same experience with Princess and canceled because of it. I kept giving them “one more chance” and they kept failing to meet basic expectations. I just felt like they did not care about the passengers. I am going to give Ritz yatch collection a serious consideration. The large ship did we were booked on, did not thrill me. To quote again “too darned big”. Thank you for your review, looking forward to reading more!

Hi Linda, I think booking through a travel agent, an experienced one, is key. It doesn’t cost anymore and the benefit it adds can really make or break a vacation experience. Once we were on the ship, the service was wonderful … everything about it was wonderful. So, I’m we persevered … but next time my first call will be to an experienced travel professional. Part two … coming next week. I hope. Ha! xo

Juliet, your trip looks amazing! I love all of the details and honesty about the service. Always good to know when booking a trip. I’ve only been on 2 cruises, one big ship(Caribbean)and one small in the Mediterranean and preferred the smaller one. Of course that could have been the location as well. Looking forward the the next post!

Good morning, Elizabeth … the size of the ship does make a difference. Although I love cruises, hard stop. This one was unique and special. And I’m so glad Jim talked me into it. xo

Well this sounds heavenly. I have never been remotely tempted by a cruise, but the greek isles! Great review!

Hi Cindy! I used to think the same thing. … then I took a cruise and changed my mind. The idea of unpacking only once, while my hotel room takes me to different and fabulous places was a key selling point. The Greek islands are too. Ha! xo

FABULOUS write up! I’m so happy I found you (have been following from your start:-) Looking forward to Part 2

Hi Sherry! Thank you so much for being here from the beginning. It means so much to me. I’d better get busy on part 2 and not drag my feet like I did with this on. Ha. Have a beautful day! xo

Looks like a fantastic trip. I’ve been on several cruises but they were the “big ship” cruises. Never done anything like this and it looks amazing!!! Your pictures are beautiful!! Thanks for the tips and tricks!! By the way, I read “Astor” and loved it!! I thought it was better than “Vanderbilt.” Have a blessed day!

Hi Robbin, I recently started Vanderbilt, and agree with you. As for the cruise, the difference between it and a big cruise was pretty amazing … lots of similarities too. Wishing you a beautiful day! xo

Hi Juliet, It sounds like you both had a swell time. You two know how to have fun together. You gave such detailed information I think you would be well suited as a travel agent. The views looked pretty and the food looked yummy. Look forward to what you have to share next. On a side note thank you so much for creating a much darker print to leave in the comment section. My eyes aren’t the best. Now I can see what I’m typing.

Hi Katherine, I’d love to be a travel agent but I think I’m too opinionated and bossy for that. I’d love all the freebie travel adventures though! Glad the comment section is working for you … keep those comments coming!!! xo

What a heavenly trip! Thanks for the vicarious sunny vacation!

Good morning, Molly … as I look out the window to another rainy day, I wish I was back in the islands! Thanks for stopping by. xo

I’ve been waiting for this post. The trip and yacht sound amazing!

Hi Leila … it was truly amazing! Thanks for checking in. xo

Juliet, I was looking forward to your review, since I researched this ship/yacht when you mentioned your upcoming trip. Some varied comments for sure. It looked like a very special itinerary. I am a fan of PONANT, a French line initially out of Brittany ( flying the Breton flag…stripes like the sweaters) . The Explorer ships, all fairly new with award winning interiors , have wonderful itineraries and only 92 cabins ,all with balconies, max 184 passengers. I do not like crowds, so perfect for me. On the three cruises I have enjoyed, there were less than 130 on board. The food, service and amenities are excellent. If booking early on , you can have a 25-30 % reduction. I went to the Caribbean, but I prefer sailing around Atlantic France and Great Britain. Because of the size of these smaller ships, one amazing perk is sailing under Tower Bridge on the Thames and tying up next to the HMS Belfast, a remaining warship opposite the Tower of London. Viking is way down the Thames , as are other ships. One itinerary that I’d like to choose sometime is sailing the Baltic from Stockholm across to the UK with stops in several ports in between. I love history, so this would be a good one, and know little about Denmark, Norway and Sweden. A funny story…a passenger packed up after the last dinner, got her suitcases collected at about 4:00 am while she slept. In the morning, after changing out of her nightie, she was horrified to find she’d neglected to leave out her clothes for that morning and leaving the ship! Ooops!

Hi Cath … oh my gosh, that’s too funny. Well, funny if you’re not the one left stranded without clothes. Oh no!!! PONANT is new to me, I’ll have to check it out and I’m going to forward your comment to Jim as he will be fascinated about these other options to explore. I always think of cruising as sort of a warm-weather resort style vacation … and I’ve never cruised in Europe but it certainly sounds appealing and a wonderful way to see many countries while moving around in high style. Thanks for all this great info. xo

I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. Looks so amazing. Thanks for the tour!

MA! You make me laugh. It was pretty cool. xo

What a wonderful post! Very informative! I will definitely look at that ship. We enjoy small ship cruises but are still very cautious.

Thanks, Kate. We really had a great time and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Jim, who drove our decision to take this trip, can’t wait to do it again. xo

Juliet, I thoroughly enjoyed this post and all your details! I felt like I was on the trip with you , which I love. How awesome you got to see Saint Barts this way. The room on the ship look like a dream too. I like how it wasn’t crowded and you had different restaurants to go to. Sort of reminds me of Bora Bora. Thanks for all the tips at the end about booking with an agent and stuff. Max and I would’ve done the same as you and have no clue.

Now I’m looking forward to seeing what you packed you next!

Thanks, Kim … live and learn, right?! I know you’re not a cruise person, but this was very uncruise like … but still on a boat. Ha. That makes no sense. xo

I have been looking at the Ritz Carlton cruises- they look fabulous!! We have cruised with Seabourn-and did a 2 week cruise- it’s so great to not have to repack to go home , quite so quickly!! We just booked Silverseas to go to Alaska for Bob’s 70th!!! We are tying it into our time at the beach house, and was lucky to find a cruise that left out of Vancouver and met our time requirements!! Your vacation looked wonderful!! Currently pictures!

Marha! That sounds wonderful and to be able to go to and from Vancouver is great. Alaska will be so beautiful, and you’re right, the best part of a cruise is unpacking once and taking your hotel room to fabulous places. xo

That should have said cute pictures!

Thanks so much for taking us along! What a wonderful review!

Thanks, Leslie! xo

this was so helfpul, thank you, booked on Evrima for next week, based on my experience so far I am totally agreeing with you and appreciate the tips for the next steps!!

Oh my gosh, next week! Is that the last Caribbean cruise of the season? So excited for you … please keep me updated. Bon voyage! xo

Katie (Preppy Empty Nester) sent us here today and I’m so glad she did. What an experience!! I can feel the sunshine through your pictures and descriptions. Thank you for your advice at the end – those little tidbits are always so valuable and only something an “insider” can give.

Hello Jenni, Welcome! I adore Mrs. Katie Clooney and I’m so happy to have you here. Thank you for your kind words, the trip was amazing and I’ve heard from many others that they’re considering similar adventures. Are you planning any warm weather vacations soon?! xo

Fantastic, thorough review, Juliet!

We’ve sailed on Crystal (previous Hong Kong owner, not Abercrombie & Kent, the new owner), both ocean and river, and enjoyed those a lot. We sailed Viking river in France, which was a bit crowded and competitive for seating, so we will not do that again.

I wonder if RC is already thinking the smaller ship model of Evrima is less viable than 500 guests?

Hi Joan, you’ve certainly had a lot of luxury cruise experience. What fun! I think RC planned there three yachts from the beginning. I really liked the size of Evrima and would probably pick her again over the new slightly larger ships. xo

what a great review! can you suggest a travel agent to handle the booking?

Hi Robert, try You May be Wandering at sgtraveladvisors.com

Any issues with motion sickness being a smaller ship?

Hi Betsey, none at all. Of course, I do not have a tendency toward motion sickness. Our sailing was smooth and I enjoyed the slight motion rocking me to sleep overnight. I wasn’t aware of anyone on the ship struggling with that. xo

Thanks for the review. Could you please mention the theme nights. We sail 12/27 – 1/3 Apparently new years is a white party. Gracias

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