Say Hello to the Next Era of Luxury Yachting—Just Don't Call It a Cruise

Going on a cruise in 2025 seems like a distinct form of misery—a deliberate rejection of authentic travel to share contained quarters with thousands of strangers, and be subjected to choreographed leisure time? No, thank you.

That is precisely why I found myself embarking upon the Ilma, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's second superyacht, bound for the U.S. Virgin Islands, earlier this year. Many frequent travelers apparently shared my cruise apprehension, and the Ritz-Carlton took note. Ilma, which means water in Maltese, stretches an impressive 790 feet and accommodates 448 guests in 224 light-filled suites.

The Collection vessels draw inspiration from private yacht design, featuring clean lines and an inky blue hull. All suites are bright and airy, featuring private terraces with chaise lounges and ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The most extravagant Ilma accommodations span over 1,000 square feet, offering expansive living areas, private outdoor decks, and seclusion. With the options of two elegant pools and swimming off the Marina Terrace deck when the ship is anchored, guests will always be able to enjoy ample space in the sunshine.

From waking up with coffee in hand, surveying the proximity of the shoreline (the Ilma can access smaller ports and towns that larger cruise ships can only dream of), to unparalleled views of Ursa Major, my experience on the Ilma felt in every way bespoke and highly private. Guests are encouraged to dress like they’re on a superyacht, too, in chic but relaxed daywear, with no stuffy black-tie nights in sight.

What further distinguishes this experience from traditional cruising is the inherently unhurried approach. Shore excursions are thoughtfully designed for small groups, focusing on exclusive access and authentic experiences. In the Mediterranean, jaunts ashore include private tours of coastal vineyards or intimate cooking classes with a local chef in a centuries-old hillside villa. During my Caribbean sail, this included a champagne-soaked catamaran excursion to Maho Bay, where guests snorkeled with turtles and visited a beach accessible solely by vessel. The beach boasted the most powdery sand I had ever encountered—it yielded beneath my feet like the finest baker’s flour. 

While major hotel brands, including the Four Seasons and Aman, are also entering the superyachting space, it will be hard to match The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which has pioneered a truly distinctive approach rooted in its extraordinary service culture.

Guests want for nothing on their sojourn—the service is perfectly attentive, with some of the highest staff-to-guest ratios at sea. Coupled with the enhanced amenities offered—a 24-hour-in-day gym with an on-site trainer, a divine spa, excellent dining—one would be hard-pressed to find another “cruise” option that caters to discerning travelers in quite the same way.

This summer, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will debut the superyacht Luminara, which will make its maiden Mediterranean voyage in July. Come winter, you can catch her in the Asia-Pacific region, a first for the brand. For a younger generation still processing the overwhelming family vacations on enormous cruise ships of the 1990s, or for first-timers debating whether to embrace superyachting—come on in, the water’s fine.