Ahead of the official launch of its brand-new mega yacht, Ilma, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection hosted VIP travel industry and MICE partners on a pre-inaugural sailing from Barcelona to St. Tropez in the Mediterranean last week.
The three-day ‘shakedown’ sailing included Australian luxury cruise specialists David Brandon and Liam Jarman from Savenio, Phil Smethurst from Bicton Travel and Karen and Roy Merricks from MTA Travel. They were hosted by Seb Seward, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific. As revealed exclusively by LATTE, Seward recently took on the Sydney-based position with the luxury cruise brand to nurture the burgeoning APAC market and establish a regional HQ in Sydney’s CBD.
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Guests on the special preview voyage were treated to culinary masterpieces prepared by superstar chefs Michael Mina and Fabio Trabocchi, were dazzled onboard by Broadway stars, and enjoyed free-flowing Moët & Chandon during idyllic drawn out end of summer days.
There was glitz and glamour at every turn aboard the super yacht, with stunning floral arrangements wrapping the decks and guests invited to participate in events such as the Azure Elegance themed cocktails welcome party on Ilma‘s bow on Day 1 prior to departing Barcelona, and a Welcome Party later that evening that went to late in The Living Room.
On Day 2 guests could participate in fitness sessions, rejuvenate with a treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, take part in an Espadrilles Workshop and enjoy a Scarlet Sands Champagne Brunch in the Beach House or in Mistral, before a half-day spent in Saint-Tropez and participating in arranged shore excursions. Day 3 was a sailing day, enabling guests to lap up the extravagant service and experiences onboard, including The Macallan Experience and the Ilma Art Tour, and the Retro Riviera Pool Party ahead of the Farewell Soiree.
Ilma is the second super yacht in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s fleet – an upsized variation of the inaugural ship Evrima which launched in October 2022. Accommodating up to 448 passengers in 224 luxurious suites, all with private terraces across seven categories – including two new-to-brand upper suite categories with more than 1,000 square metres of space – Ilma‘s larger footprint also includes five restaurants, seven bars, a wine vault and numerous public spaces for relaxation.
She promises a “new standard of luxury cruising” for discerning travellers, the cruise line says.
Debriefing LATTE on his maiden ship shakedown, and his first time aboard Ilma, Seb Seward, VP and GM Asia Pacific for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection said:
“It was a pleasure to showcase Ilma’s unique offering to our valued agency partners from all over the world, including several friends from Australia and Asia.”
“Ilma builds on the tremendous success of Evrima; even more space per guest, a higher proportion of upper suite categories, new dining concepts, an expanded marina platform, yet she keeps the intimacy of a yacht.”
“And it’s less than a year until we’ll be launching Luminara!” Seward said with enthusiasm.
Ilma will set sail on her inaugural departure from Monte Carlo next Monday, 2 September. The ship will be based in the Mediterranean, sailing epic itineraries and exploring the stunning Amalfi Coast and popular Greek islands until November before an Atlantic crossing and exploring the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, with ports of call in Bequia and St. John, through to April 2025. After which Ilma will return to the Mediterranean for her first full European summer.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has recently opened bookings for its 2025 Northern European voyages, operating between June and September, flanked by itineraries in the Mediterranean.
Read more about the onboard experience from Savenio’s David Brandon here.
All images supplied to LATTE courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.