It's the experience of your wildest dreams at a level of service very few could match.
After announcing initial plans in 2017, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is using Seatrade 2018 to showcase exactly what their concepts are going to be. The results of the planning so far are stunning and are sure to entice even the most discerning of luxury travelers.
"It mirrors what you would do on your own yacht," said Doug Prothero, Managing Director at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
That concept may not resonate with every customer, but Ritz-Carlton is looking to market itself to the type of customer that not only has that type of money to spend but is looking for something other cruise companies can't logistically offer.
According to Prothero, the first ship-slated to be named at the International Luxury Travel Market in December-will be heading to the Southeast Caribbean, which he called "forgotten" by traditional cruise companies.
That focus on smaller destinations works with the smaller ship size and will help add a luxurious form of adventure to the itinerary while helping set the company apart. Yet, the company also promises a "highly personalized" approach and a pace which will allow their customers to truly get to know a destination.
"Is it about how many islands you can get to," Prothero asked hypothetically, "or about how deep you can go into those destinations?"
Normally, to explore these types of places, customers would currently need to either charter their own expedition or find a niche cruise line that doesn't offer the Ritz-Carlton level of ultra luxury.
The cruise world is responding with pretty incredible interest, as the Ritz-Carlton team is fielding 220 appointments at Seatrade.
For days spent not in a destination, the yacht promises to be quite the destination in its own right. It will measure 624 feet, and 26,500 tons, containing 149 suites to accommodate 298 guests and 246 crew (that's an impressive 1.21 ratio).
The yacht was developed, Prothero promises, completely with the help of the travel trade and a focus on giving luxury customers the experience they're looking for with an almost residential feel.
The ship will feature five restaurants, including a main dining room which will feature numerous types of cuisine, a pool bar and grill, an Asian fusion restaurant, a seafood grill, and "Aqua" featuring the food of Michelin three-star chef Sven Elverfeld from the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany.
The yacht can tender on three sides and features hydraulic lifts that can allow passengers to step directly into the sea or reverse and be used as a diving board. The ship also has a large garage door with all of the "water toys" one could dream of.
There is also a Ritz-Carlton Spa onboard featuring treatments both indoors and out.
The price is all inclusive and includes both gratuity and Wi-Fi. Prothero said a typical price for a seven-day Mediterranean cruise would be about $5,600 per person (double occupancy).
Marriott Rewards Members will have priority access in May of this year for 2020 cruising, public in June.
Prothero also teased plans for second and third yachts. The former will spend its summers on the Saint Lawrence and the Great Lakes-the first ultra-luxury yacht to do so-and the latter will be based in the Pacific
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