The first and only luxury hotel company to take to the sea has welcomed Ilma, its second newbuild, ultra-luxury ‘superyacht’. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s latest small ship is host to fewer than 500 guests in its 224 ‘airy and intuitive’ suites, all with private terraces providing direct access to the sea. 

The Ilma also offers guests world-class dining curated by MICHELIN-starred restaurant chefs, a sweeping pool deck offering spectacular views at sea, new itineraries, bespoke amenities, among the highest guest-to-staff ratio, and signature Ritz-Carlton personalized service.

The yacht embarked on its maiden voyage, a 7-night journey from Monte Carlo to Rome, on September 2, 2024. It doubles the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to two, with the new vessel joining the slightly smaller Evrima, already in service. 

According to the hotel-resort-cruise line, the ‘superyacht’ accommodates up to 448 guests in sophisticated interiors that showcase expert craftsmanship and polished finishes by renowned design firms and provide a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces. The design narrative incorporates fresh, neutral tones juxtaposed by light and dark finishes, enhancing visual richness, while the adorned exterior nods to the sleek design of private yachts.

MICHELIN Dining at Sea

Ilma provides its 448 guests five dining venues, a refreshed in-suite dining program, seven bars, and a signature wine vault, including two dining venues conceptualized by MICHELIN-starred restaurant chefs:

• Seta su Ilma by Chef Fabio Trabocchi is a fine-dining restaurant offering seasonal tasting menus with contemporary interpretations of Italian cuisine paired with fine wines with Italian wines dominating;
• Beach House offers 180-degree views of the sea in a beach club-inspired venue offering Peruvian and Pan-Latin cuisine, developed in collaboration with MICHELIN and James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina;
• Memorī, authentic Pan-Asian cuisines in a sleek environment;
• Mistral, which presents Mediterranean fare near the main pool on Deck 10;
• Tides, which offers menus inspired by the destinations that Ilma explores, evolving throughout the voyage;
• Dining Privée provides an intimate and elegant enclave for special events;
• The Living Room serves freshly roasted coffees and baked pastries each morning, transitioning later in the day to The Living Room Bar with specialty cocktails, fine wines, and Champagne accompanied by live music; plus
• In-Suite Dining.

Ilma debuts an extensive Marina and Marina Terrace, with a hydraulic platform that connects guests directly with the sea when the yacht is at anchor. 

Additional spaces on board include open-air space for live entertainment and sunbathing, complete with the main pool, pool bar, and an outdoor LED screen, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, with outdoor treatment options, and three distinct fitness spaces. 

Inaugural Season

Ilma’s inaugural season in the Mediterranean includes signature and intimate ports of call visiting the blue waters of Santorini, the iconic yachting playgrounds of Porto Cervo, and the historic sites of Valletta. 

Then the small ship departs for the Caribbean, where experiences in the natural wonders of Virgin Gorda, the vibrant harbor of Gustavia, and the pristine beauty of St. John await. 

Ilma will additionally sail the North and Baltic Seas of Northern Europe—a first for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection—during the 2025 summer season offering immersive itineraries in destinations like Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Reykjavík.

A third yacht, Luminara, also accommodating up to 448 guests, is slated to make its debut in 2025.

START YOUR ULTRA-LUXURY, SUPERYACHT CRUISE!

Images courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

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