How to Book a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Vacation: Everything You Need to Know

Friday newsletters feature travel contests, tips, or news.

How to Book a Voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection?

I recently completed a voyage through Alaska aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Luminara, and after spending a week on board and experiencing the product first-hand, I thought it would be useful to explain how the booking process works. If you are used to booking a luxury hotel online, booking a cruise is somewhat different. There are several Ritz-Carlton yachts, numerous itineraries, different suite categories and a number of important details to consider before making such a significant investment. The good news is that the process itself is relatively straightforward. The more important question is how you book and what you should look for before confirming your reservation.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is a luxury yacht experience created for travelers who want something considerably more intimate than a conventional cruise. Rather than carrying thousands of passengers, the yachts accommodate only a few hundred guests. The ships are designed more like large private yachts than traditional cruise ships, with spacious suites, private terraces, multiple restaurants and a much more relaxed atmosphere. The fleet currently includes Evrima, Ilma and Luminara, with different yachts operating different regions and itineraries. You can read my review of Luminara here and my review of the Alaska voyage itself here.

Here is my guide to booking a voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Step 1: book directly or through a travel advisor?
Step 2: consider Marriott Bonvoy
Step 3: choose your itinerary
Step 4: compare the length of the voyage
Step 5: choose your suite carefully
Step 6: look at what is actually included
Step 7: don’t forget the flights and hotel
Step 8: check the payment schedule and cancellation conditions
Step 9: don’t leave your booking until the last minute
Step 10: ask about special offers and added amenities
Final thoughts

Step 1: Book Directly or Through a Travel Advisor?

This is probably the most important question to ask before booking. You can book a Ritz-Carlton Yacht directly, but I would strongly recommend at least comparing the direct option with a reputable luxury travel advisor. A good advisor does not necessarily mean that you pay more. In many cases, the cruise fare is the same, while the advisor may be able to add additional amenities or provide assistance that you would not receive when booking directly.

The biggest advantage is expertise. A luxury travel advisor can help you compare voyages, suite categories and departure ports and, importantly, understand which options make the most sense for your particular trip. This can be particularly useful when you are spending many thousands of euros or dollars on a voyage. A small difference in suite location or itinerary can make a meaningful difference to the experience.

Depending on the agency and the particular booking, a luxury travel advisor may also be able to provide additional benefits such as:

Onboard credit or other amenities
Special dining experiences
Assistance with suite selection
Help with waitlists
Pre- and post-cruise hotel arrangements
Airport transfers
Air arrangements
Shore experiences
Assistance with special occasions
Support if something goes wrong before or during your trip

The exact benefits vary, so I would always ask the advisor what they can add to the booking before making a decision. Some luxury agencies also have access to special amenity offers on selected sailings. In other words, I would not simply compare the headline cruise price. I would compare the total value of the booking.

Step 2: Consider Marriott Bonvoy

There is another reason Marriott Bonvoy members may want to consider how they book their Ritz-Carlton Yacht voyage. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Members can earn points on eligible cruise fares and hotel packages, and points can also be used toward the price of a voyage. Elite members may receive additional benefits onboard.

However, there are some important details. Marriott Bonvoy points cannot currently be redeemed directly through the standard online reservation process. If you want to use points toward your voyage, a Personal Travel Professional can assist with the redemption. So if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member with a substantial points balance, this is something I would discuss with your travel advisor before paying your deposit.

Step 3: Choose Your Itinerary

The first decision is obviously where you want to go. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection operates a variety of itineraries, including voyages in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Northern Europe, as well as longer and more unusual journeys. The itinerary should be one of your main considerations because the experience can be very different depending on the destination. For example, a Mediterranean voyage might focus on glamorous coastal destinations and beautiful islands, while an Alaska itinerary is much more about scenery, wildlife and nature.

My own voyage aboard Luminara took me through Alaska, and for me the destination was an important part of the appeal. I would therefore start by asking yourself: Where do I actually want to travel, and what do I want to experience from the yacht? Only after answering that question would I start comparing individual sailings.

Step 4: Compare the Length of the Voyage

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers voyages of different lengths. A shorter itinerary can be an excellent way to experience the product if you are unsure whether luxury cruising is for you or when you are on a budget but still want to experience a cruise aboard a Rite-Carlton vessel. It can also make sense if you are combining the voyage with a longer land-based vacation. On the other hand, a longer voyage gives you more time to enjoy the yacht and the destinations without constantly feeling that you have to get ready for the next disembarkation.

I would also look at the number of sea days. If your primary reason for booking is the yacht itself, sea days can be wonderful. You have more time to enjoy the restaurants, spa, pool, marina and other facilities without having to leave the ship. If you are more interested in exploring destinations, you may prefer an itinerary with fewer sea days and more ports.

Step 5: Choose Your Suite Carefully

Once you have selected the itinerary, the next major decision is your suite. This is where I think a good travel advisor can be particularly helpful. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers different suite categories, and the differences are not simply about size and price. Location can also matter.

Think about: suite size; terrace size; deck location (forward, midship or aft position); accessibility to restaurants and public areas; views; and connecting-suite possibilities if travelling with family

Every suite has a private terrace, which is one of the features I particularly like about the concept. However, I would not automatically assume that the most expensive suite is the best choice for everyone. For many travelers, a well-located lower-category suite may provide an excellent experience without spending considerably more simply for additional interior space.

This is another reason why I recommend discussing the different options with a luxury travel advisor who knows the yacht.

Step 6: Look at What Is Actually Included

One of the advantages of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is that a substantial amount is included in the cruise fare. Current cruise fares include suite accommodation, onboard dining and entertainment, selected beverages, standard Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and port fees. However, all-inclusive does not mean absolutely everything is included. Depending on your booking and the service, additional charges can apply to items such as shore excursions, spa treatments, certain specialty dining experiences, private reserve beverages, some transfers, airfare and hotel stays.

Therefore, when comparing prices, don’t just look at the advertised cruise fare. Ask yourself what you will actually pay from the moment you leave home until the moment you return. This is especially important for an expensive luxury cruise.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Flights and Hotel

Your cruise does not necessarily begin when you step onto the yacht. For most itineraries, I would strongly recommend arriving at the embarkation city at least one day before departure. This gives you a buffer in case your flight is delayed and also makes the beginning of the vacation much more relaxing. For a luxury trip, I would personally prefer to stay in a good hotel rather than arrive in the city on the morning of embarkation and immediately head to the port. A travel advisor can combine the cruise with pre- and post-cruise accommodation and transfers, which can make the entire journey considerably easier to organize.

Step 8: Check the Payment Schedule and Cancellation Conditions

This is something you should never overlook when booking a luxury cruise. The payment and cancellation conditions depend on the booking and applicable terms, so always check the conditions that apply to your specific voyage. Under the current booking terms, bookings can generally be held for up to three days before the deposit is required. For qualifying bookings made sufficiently far in advance, a 25% deposit is required, with final payment due before departure. Bookings made closer to departure can require full payment at the time of booking.

Cancellation penalties also become progressively more restrictive as the sailing date approaches. For example, the current terms provide for increasing cancellation charges from 150 days before departure, reaching 100% of the cruise fare at 60 days or less before sailing.

Always check the current terms at the time you book, rather than relying on an older article or something you may have read online. For a cruise costing tens of thousands of euros, I would also consider comprehensive travel insurance.

Step 9: Don’t Leave Your Booking Until the Last Minute

If you already know which itinerary you want, I would not wait unnecessarily. Popular voyages and particular suite categories can sell out, and the suite you want may no longer be available later. Booking early can therefore give you a much better choice of the sailing date, suite category, suite location, number of guests, and pre- and post-cruise arrangements. This is especially relevant if you are traveling as a family or need multiple suites. At the same time, I would not book a particular sailing simply because it is available. Take the time to compare the itineraries and suite options first.

Step 10: Ask About Special Offers and Added Amenities

Don’t assume that the price you see online is necessarily the only option. Luxury travel advisors may have access to special amenities on particular sailings. These can vary considerably and may include onboard credit, dining experiences or other benefits. The important point is not to ask only: “Can you give me a lower price?” Instead, ask: “Can you offer any additional amenities or benefits if I book this voyage through you?” Luxury cruise fares are not always something you can simply discount, but additional value can make a significant difference.

Final Thoughts

So, What Is the Best Way to Book a Ritz-Carlton Yacht? After my own experience aboard Luminara, my recommendation would be quite simple: do your research yourself, decide what type of itinerary and suite you want, and then speak with a good luxury travel advisor before booking. You can certainly book directly with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, but there is little downside to comparing the direct booking with an experienced advisor.

The advisor should be able to tell you:

Which voyage they recommend
Which suites are still available
Which suite location they prefer
What additional amenities they can provide
Whether there are special offers
How the payment schedule works
What is and isn’t included
How they can arrange flights, hotels and transfers
Whether your Marriott Bonvoy points can be used

For a luxury vacation of this scale, having someone who knows the product and can help before, during and after the booking can be extremely valuable. After all, the goal isn’t necessarily to find the cheapest way to book a Ritz-Carlton Yacht. It is to find the best way to book the voyage that is right for you. And having now experienced Luminara myself, I can say that the booking is only the beginning. The real fun starts when you finally step aboard.