Luxury Hotel Brands Are Bringing Resort Living to the Open Seas

Last month, as I stepped aboard the inaugural ship of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, the 298-passenger Evrima, docked in Tenerife, Spain, I noticed guests enjoying complimentary signature cocktails and Moet & Chandon on a platform just above the water. With a DJ providing the soundtrack, the ambiance felt like an upscale beach club—only this one can sail. Ultimately, this floating paradise would transport the affluent guests across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is the first among the world’s elite luxury hotel brands to expand into the maritime domain, but it certainly won't be the last. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Aman Resorts, Hotels & Residences are also crafting new yacht-inspired experiences, with other hotel brands likely to follow.

For these esteemed hotel brands, a key advantage of entering the cruise market lies in their established clientele who are potential customers for their seMytouring ventures. Additionally, they can merge resort and cruise experiences seamlessly. For example, Ritz-Carlton anticipates increased pre- and post-cruise bookings stemming from these yacht journeys. “With cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale, there are five Ritz-Carlton hotels in close proximity,” says Chris Gabaldon, senior vice president of luxury brands for Marriott International, which owns the Ritz-Carlton collection. “Having a yacht is truly significant.”

Experiencing the Ritz-Carlton Cruise Style

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is a collaboration between Douglas Prothero’s the Yacht Portfolio and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Both maritime and hospitality expertise are showcased aboard the 624-foot Evrima. Guests reside in spacious suites featuring high ceilings and outdoor terraces, enjoying Ritz-Carlton amenities like marble bathrooms, luxurious linens, and a Ritz Spa offering premium skincare treatments. Dining is available in five restaurants, including an option to pay $285 per person for an exclusive culinary experience at S.E.A., curated by three-Michelin-star chef Sven Elverfeld from Aqua at the Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg in Germany.

Passengers relax in comfortable areas such as the Living Room, reminiscent of a grand resort lobby, alongside an infinity pool and various dipping pools. They can also access kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats from the marina when anchored in sunny destinations.

While everything is impressive, the yacht truly excels in its service. Leveraging the Ritz-Carlton reputation, the brand attracted top talent from luxury hotels and elite cruise lines. Approximately 50,000 individuals applied for around 300 positions on the ship, in stark contrast to other cruise lines facing staffing challenges due to pandemic-related issues.

Ritz-Carlton isn’t stopping with just one yacht. Plans are already in place for two additional 456-passenger vessels, ordered from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, with deliveries scheduled for 2024 and 2025. The classification of these vessels—whether they’re yachts, super-yachts, mega-yachts, or something else—depends primarily on their size. According to YachtWorld, a super-yacht typically exceeds 80 feet, a mega-yacht is over 200 feet, and a giga-yacht measures more than 300 feet. Therefore, the 624-foot Evrima is technically a small cruise ship designed to emulate the feel of a yacht. The hotel brands involved refer to these new ships interchangeably as yachts, super-yachts, and mega-yachts.

So, who is sailing with Ritz-Carlton? According to early bookings for the Evrima, which debuted in October, most guests are new to cruising and belong to Marriott International’s Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, says Gabaldon. A significant benefit of cruising with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is the opportunity to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. Travelers can also redeem points for discounts or to fully cover a sailing—approximately 2 million points for a 10-day cruise. For those not using points, fares generally start around $7,000 per person per week.

If Ritz-Carlton continues to thrive in the cruise sector, Gabaldon mentions that other brands within Marriott’s luxury portfolio (including St. Regis, JW Marriott, the Luxury Collection, W Hotels, and Edition) may be potential candidates for expansion into cruising. “We anticipate significant growth in the luxury sector overall,” says Gabaldon. “Depending on the performance of the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection in cruising, we are always receptive to new opportunities.”

As for destinations on the Evrima, the ship will be in the Caribbean during the first half of 2023, before transitioning to the Mediterranean for the winter months. In 2024, the Evrima will lengthen its Mediterranean season from April to November, visiting 14 new ports, including Seville, Spain; Sardinia, Italy; and Monte Carlo.

Four Seasons announces its plans for an ultra-luxury yacht fleet

Not to be outdone, Four Seasons is set to dive into the world of luxury cruising by late 2025, launching the first of three planned 190-passenger, all-suite super-yachts constructed by the esteemed Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. This new division, named Four Seasons Yachts, is led by industry expert Larry Pimentel, known for his roles in launching Seabourn and Azamara, among others.

The newly formed cruise company is a collaboration between Four Seasons and luxury shipping specialists Marc-Henry Holdings LTD, founded by Nadim Ashi, who developed the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club in Surfside, Florida, alongside Philip Levine, the former mayor of Miami Beach and a noted figure in real estate and cruising ventures.

“Four Seasons Yachts represents a natural evolution of our brand,” states Marc Speichert, chief commercial officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, in conversation with Dinogo, highlighting the company’s recent ventures into residences, as well as private jet and luxury driving experiences.

“What sets our yachts apart will be the Four Seasons-trained staff who will bring these experiences to life,” he states. “These vessels will boast an industry-leading staff-to-guest ratio to ensure Four Seasons’ hallmark of highly personalized service—always infused with a distinctly human touch.”

Among other ultra-luxurious amenities, Four Seasons highlights that its inaugural 679-foot yacht will feature lofty ceilings and offer nearly 50 percent more living space per guest than any other luxury vessel currently in operation. The construction cost for each suite is estimated at $4.2 million, with "no expense spared."

The typical starter suite will provide 581 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor space, with 60 percent of the suites measuring at least 818 square feet, according to the company. A standout feature will be the 9,601-square-foot “Funnel Suite” spanning four levels, complete with a large terrace, private wading pool, and designated spa area.

The yacht will feature a comprehensive spa and wellness program, along with five unique restaurants, including a sushi bar. The pool deck will double as an outdoor cinema, while two marinas will provide access for water activities.

“The design expertise of Four Seasons brings a strong emphasis on spaciousness, privacy, comfort, and innovation to the yacht experience,” says Thatcher Brown, chief commercial officer and head of joint yacht operations for Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, in an interview with Dinogo. “It’s not just a mega-yacht or an ultra-luxury cruise; it’s something truly distinctive.”

Aman seeks to provide serenity at sea

Hotel and resort company Aman is also entering the yacht scene, having unveiled its Project Sama in late 2021. This venture with Cruise Saudi, backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, aims to launch a 600-foot, 100-passenger yacht by 2025, featuring 50 luxurious suites with private balconies.

In collaboration with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, the super-yacht will embody Aman’s Eastern roots, showcasing features that promote serenity and spaciousness, including an Aman Spa complete with a Japanese garden, as stated by the company.

The yacht is designed to achieve a seamless integration of exterior and interior spaces, according to the company.

Onboard amenities will include diverse international dining choices, a club and lounge, and an expansive beach club at the stern with direct water access. Additionally, two helipads will be available.

The company emphasizes that guests can expect “Aman’s core principles of privacy, tranquility, generous space, and unmatched service.”

Vlad Doronin, chairman and CEO of Aman, stated, “Project Sama aims to deliver transformative experiences in the distinguished Aman style and service, offering a yacht experience like no other, ultimately establishing a completely new category for water exploration.”