Cruise & Cruise Line

Ritz-Carlton's 1st Cruise Ship Enters the Water

Image: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is planning to build three sleek vessels. (photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
Image: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is planning to build three sleek vessels. (photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
Alex Temblador
by Alex Temblador
Last updated: 4:20 PM ET, Fri October 12, 2018

The Ritz-Carlton has taken their hotels to the sea.

On Wednesday, the hotel chain's first cruise ship vessel was launched down a slipway from the Hijos De J. Barreras Shipyard in Vigo, Spain. The Ritz-Carlton celebrated with a launching ceremony and maritime blessing.

Ritz-Carlton currently has three vessels in the works for their new cruise division, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. The 298-passenger ship has been under construction since January.

Their fleet will be 690 feet long and have 149 cabin suites with private balconies. There will be a step-down sunning area along the sterns, as well as sunning pools, a fitness center, and spa.

Five restaurants will be available onboard, including the main dining room, Asian fusion restaurant, pool bar, seafood restaurant, and the Aqua restaurant by chef Sven Elverfeld of the three-star Michelin Aqua restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg in Germany.

The Ritz-Carlton ship that took to the waters on Wednesday has yet to be named and will continue to undergo finishing work. It will debut in February 2020.


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Alex Temblador

Alex Temblador

Alex Temblador is an award-winning travel writer and the award-winning author of Secrets of the Casa Rosada, Half Outlaw, andWriting An Identity Not Your Own. This Mixed Latine writer is based in Dallas, Texas, and has had publications in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, Outside, among many others. She's best known for her articles on diversity, inclusion, and equity in travel. You can reach her at [email protected].

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