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Ritz-Carlton's new luxury cruise ship will sail in 2024 starting at $6,800 per person — see inside the 456-guest 'yacht'

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel.
An overhead view of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's upcoming Ilma cruise vessel.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
  • The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection opened bookings for its second upcoming cruise vessel, the Ilma.

  • The 456-guest ship will enter service in September 2024 starting at $6,800 per person.

  • The cruise line's first ship has been "booking quite well," the company told Insider in 2022.

Ritz-Carlton has opened reservations for its newest cruise vessel following the success of its first floating hotel.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing the rear marina and pool.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's upcoming Ilma will have a marina and an adjacent terrace.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

But if you're looking to travel on the upcoming Ilma, you'll have to be patient.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel.
The Ilma will have a second pool above the marina.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The cruise ship — which the brand affectionately calls a "superyacht" — won't enter service until 2024.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing the pool deck.
The Ilma's pool deck will have plenty of lounge chairs for days at sea.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ilma will embark on its first six Mediterranean sailings in September 2024 starting at $6,800 per person.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel's rear.
All of the accommodations aboard the upcoming vessel will have balconies.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

These itineraries will range from 7 to 13 nights, bringing travelers to destinations like Spain's Balearic Islands with overnight stays in locations like Alexandria, Egypt.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel's rear marina.
The marina will give guests direct access to the water.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

All six of these cruises will have at least one sailing day with no port of call.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing the pool deck.
The pool deck will have a bar, of course.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

To some, this could be the most boring day of the vacation. But at least travelers will get to spend it in a 790-foot-long floating Ritz-Carlton.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing the pool deck.
The floating RItz-Carlton resort will have plenty of lounge chairs surrounding the pool.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The luxury vessel is no mega cruise vessel — There's no rock climbing wall, rows of waterslides, or loud mini-golf courses for bored children.

Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas cruise ship
A rock climbing wall on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.Brittany Chang/Insider

However, it does have a pool deck, a separate aft infinity pool, five restaurants, six bars, several lounges, and a spa.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing the pool deck.
This is one of two outdoor pools on the luxury ship.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

If you're already familiar with the cruise line's first vessel, the 623-foot Evrima, you'll probably recognize some of the amenities aboard the upcoming Ilma.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel.
The vessel's inaugural sailings will span seven to 13 nights.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Like its predecessor, the new vessel will have a marina with a new adjacent terrace, giving guests direct access to the water and water toys while the ship is anchored.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel.
The infinity pool will be located above the marina and below several suites.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

At most, the vessel can accommodate 456 guests with a nearly one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing the rear marina.
A rendering of the upcoming Ritz-Carlton vessel at sea.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

And there's need to fear a dingy interior stateroom when aboard the ship: All of 228 of its suites will have private balconies or terraces.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel's rear.
A rendering of the aft of the vessel with the marina, infinity pool, and suites.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

These suites will range from almost 300 square feet to over 1,000 square feet, not including the balconies.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel's suite.
Inside one of the ship's luxurious suites.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Source: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

In typical Ritz-Carlton fashion, the floating hotel rooms will be decked out with luxurious amenities like bathrooms with double vanities and a complimentary bottle of Champagne.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel.
The Ilma will sail in September 2024 with up to 456 guests.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

If the hotel brand's first ship is any indication of how well this second vessel will sell, the Ilma could see plenty of success.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel showing a restaurant.
Inside one of five restaurants aboard the upcoming Ilma.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The luxury cruise market has been "off the charts," UBS analysts said in a note in October 2022. As for the Ritz cruise line itself, it's operated by the same Ritz-Carlton that operates the hotel chain, which is owned by Marriott.

A rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma cruise vessel's rear pool.
The outdoor infinity pool deck will have two two hot tubs.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Source: Insider

The Evrima is "booking quite well" for its 2023 season while its summer Mediterranean cruises only have "limited space" left, the cruise line told Insider in October 2022.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's first vessel, the Evrima.Christopher Cypert

Source: Insider

At the time, 2024 bookings were already "pacing well and exceeding expectations."

The Pool House Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
The Evrima's pool house has plenty of seating for guests.The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Ritz-Carlton isn't the only hospitality brand with a new arm in the cruise market.

2018 07 30 RCYC Destination Santorini_revised
The Evrima has been "booking quite well," the cruise line told Insider in 2022.The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

Over the last year, Four Seasons, Aman, and Orient Express have all announced new ultra-luxury cruise lines as well.

A rendering of the upcoming Four Seasons yacht-cruise ship
Four Seasons' cruise ship will sail in 2025.Four Seasons

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