The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. – part of Marriot International, Inc. – has just announced that the brand is expanding to the luxury yachting and cruises realm, proudly bringing the award-winning luxury hotel brand’s service and timeless style to sea. The venture marks a unique foray into the cruise industry for a luxury hotel operator. The first of three lavish cruising yachts in the series is scheduled to take to sea in the fourth quarter of 2019, making Marriott International as the pioneer of luxury accommodations that cater both on land and at sea.
Itineraries are being developed to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, and create seven- to 10-day voyages to signature destinations like the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, depending on the season. The compact size of the vessels allow the yacht to also make a stop at unique locations that usually aren’t accessible to large ships, like Capri, Portofino, St. Barth and the old town of Cartagena. The small-capacity vessel will measure 190 metres, with 149 suites equipped with a private balcony.
