The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to bring luxury to oceans and lakes in 2020

Cruises are certainly one of the most lavish ways to explore the world. These high-end ships carry millions of passengers annually, and with a wide selection to choose from, the industry is more competitive than ever.

Standing out in this luxury business requires offering something new to potential passengers, but that is easier said than done when ships carry all sorts of amenities now. Despite the tight playing field, The Ritz-Carlton CEO Douglass Prothero is still looking to leave a mark on the industry come 2020.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is known for some of the best services and most luxurious establishments in history. The company is planning to expand its reaches to the sea with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

In a report by Forbes, Prothero notes that he is looking to bring their loyal customer base not only to oceans but also to lakes. He says that the yachts will be designed with bumpers that would make it pass through canals connecting the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes. In doing so, the company manages to offer something new.

Of course, the hospitality and service that The Ritz-Carlton hotels are known for could add a new level of luxury to cruises. The crew behind the yachts will undergo training at the acclaimed The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. Even better is that the crew from the cruises will be trained for land-based accommodation as well for an easy transition to the company’s hotels once they want to take a break from the life at the yachts.

The hotel company is already creating three custom-built yachts, and each of them will feature 149 suites with personal terraces. Interested passengers should try to book as soon as possible as the yachts have a capacity of only 298 guests.

Apart from The Ritz-Carlton’s trademark quality service and luxury, the yachts will also have other amazing features. Confirmed so far are The Ritz-Carlton Spas, and an elevated dining restaurant from Sven Elverfeld, the German chef of three Michelin-starred restaurant Aqua, which is situated at The Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg.

Those with Marriott Rewards points can make reservations this May, while the rest of the public can book their rooms in June. Each cruise that the company offers will last from seven to 10 days, and a one-week cruise will cost $5,600 per head. Rewards members can use their points at the spa and the restaurant.

No exact date has been pegged for the first cruises in 2020, but people’s excitement for them is rising. Some of the rewards members are already reaching out for a spot. Those who want to be a part of the inaugural trips will have to act fast once booking goes live next month for reward program members.

(Featured Image by NoRud via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0)