Elite Traveler Winter 2024/25

Clockwise The790-ft Ilma ;marina deck; inside one of the suites

Firstsail

Cruises (undeservedly) get a bit of a bad rap. I once read a piece by a particularly judgmental writer who described them as “a human lasagna,” where layers of often older travelers (or “cruisers”) live on top of each other for days, weeks and sometimes even months on end, with the aim of ticking o ff bucket list destinations with minimal e ff ort. It was then, given this reputation, a stroke of genius by the powers that be at The Ritz-Carlton to not describe their cruise line as, well, a cruise line. Instead, in October 2022, we were introduced to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It’s a polished, re fi ned and (most important) boutique take on cruising, where travelers can enjoy that famous Ritz-Carlton service at sea — a fl oating hotel from one of the most respected hospitality brands on the planet. Its fi rst ship was the 623-ft, 149-cabin Evrima , which was delivered three years late but to much fanfare. She lived up to Ritz-Carlton’s sky-high promises: cabins were roomy, service was personalized and excursions were immersive.

Barcelona (a mainstay on the World’s 50 Best Bars list), free- fl owing Moët & Chandon, and some intrigued fi rst-in guests on board. Ilma hath arrived. Ilma is a touch larger than her older sister at 790 ft and with 224 suites. Every accommodation is a suite — no pokey cabins here, thank you — and even the

Now, just shy of two years later, Evrima ’s little sister has hit the water, embarking on her inaugural pre-o ffi cial-launch journey in late August from Barcelona to Monte Carlo. In true Ritz-Carlton style, she set sail with a bang, with an opening night DJ set from Sam Feldt, cocktail bar pop-up from Paradiso in

Photos Don Riddle Images