Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Is Turning Cruises Into Luxury Brand Collaborations

Evrima is the first yacht in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and it was created to feel more like a private resort at sea than a typical cruise ship. In its latest update, Ginori 1735, a famous porcelain maker from Florence known for its decorative tableware and bold designs, has transformed three of the yacht’s favorite outdoor spaces using colors that capture the spirit of an Italian summer.

At the Pool House, blue and teal cushions rest under striped umbrellas. Mistral, the yacht’s open-air Mediterranean restaurant, features coral, mandarin, and blush tones, with Ginori porcelain and glassware on every table. At the marina, where guests can swim, kayak, or paddleboard right from the yacht, saffron and amber accents continue the color palette.

The project highlights artist Luke Edward Hall’s Il Viaggio di Nettuno collection, but it goes beyond tableware. Ginori has updated spaces guests use throughout the day, from breakfast by the pool to evening drinks and outdoor dinners. There is also a small cocktail menu and a curated selection of themed items. Most importantly, travelers do more than just see the brand; they get to experience it for themselves.

This approach is similar to what The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection does with its three ships. Instead of relying on standard luxury features, the company brings in well-known names from fashion, jewelry, beauty, design, and food to join the journey. Because of this, the yachts feel less like regular cruise ships and more like floating resorts shaped by experts.

The brand recently launched a campaign called “The Art of Taking a Break,” featuring actress Sarah Michelle Gellar and filmed on Evrima. In the campaign, she is shown dining on Evrima’s terrace, surrounded by the Ginori Terrace concept.

Luxury Brands Are Becoming Part Of The Voyage

Ginori 1735 is a highlight on Evrima, the first and smallest yacht in the fleet. This 624-foot yacht can host up to 298 guests in 149 suites, each with its own private terrace. Because of its smaller size, it appeals to people who might not usually choose a cruise. There is no grand atrium, casino, or constant announcements, so guests can relax and move easily between restaurants, terraces, the spa, and the marina, much like they would at a Mediterranean resort.

The partnership with Ginori adds to the unique atmosphere on board. On a summer trip between Rome and Monte Carlo, the Florentine brand feels like a natural part of the experience, not just a marketing decision. It connects the yacht to Italian ports, local food, and regional design. Guests might have breakfast on a terrace with Ginori porcelain, spend the day in Tuscany or Portofino, and enjoy dinner on deck as Evrima heads toward France.

Ilma, the brand’s second yacht, brings something new to the table. Colombian fashion designer Johanna Ortiz has refreshed two outdoor decks with tropical prints, parasols, cozy loungers, and cocktail accents. The onboard boutique carries a curated selection of her clothing. This partnership combines Ortiz’s signature patterns with a unique Cartagena design inspired by Colombia’s landscape and rich biodiversity.

Ortiz says she wanted the redesigned decks to help the yacht feel more connected to the places it visits. “Ilma travels to some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, where nature, culture, and a sense of wonder come together. I wanted these decks to feel like a natural extension of that journey, drawing inspiration from the warmth, vibrant landscapes, craftsmanship, and effortless elegance of Latin America. Through every print and every detail, my hope was to create spaces that invite guests to slow down, connect with their surroundings, and embrace the joy of discovering the world by sea.”

This collaboration is a natural fit for a yacht. Ortiz is known for resort wear that works by the pool or at dinner, and this partnership shows off that relaxed style. Guests can spot her prints while lounging outside, sip cocktails created for the occasion, and shop for clothes that suit their trip. Here, fashion becomes part of the experience rather than feeling like a separate store.

Luminara is the newest and largest yacht in the fleet, offering an elevated onboard shopping experience. Guests can explore jewelry and watches from Cartier, Piaget, and IWC Schaffhausen, along with vintage and custom pieces. On certain sailings, rare Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags are available, as well as an exclusive co-branded Lululemon collection. The yacht also displays an impressive art collection, featuring works by Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney. These boutiques and artworks cater to travelers who appreciate luxury hotels, private clubs, galleries, and branded residences.

The newest partnership adds a personal touch to the journey. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Eberjey have introduced the yacht collection’s first sleepwear capsule, made from washable mulberry silk with a blue-and-white wave print inspired by the sea. This limited-edition line includes long and short pajama sets for women and a long set for men. The collection is now available through Eberjey and will soon be in the onboard boutiques on Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara, bringing the brand’s style into the private moments of each guest’s stay.

The Brand Mix Extends To Dining And Wellness

The same idea is used for the restaurants and spa. On Evrima, S.E.A. was created with Sven Elverfeld, the chef from the three-Michelin-starred Aqua at The Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg. S.E.A. is the yacht’s reservation-only tasting-menu restaurant and the only place on board where there is an extra charge.

Ilma and Luminara offer even more dining choices with restaurants linked to chefs Michael Mina and Fabio Trabocchi. Mina’s seafood dishes are served at Beach House, while Trabocchi’s Seta su Ilma features modern Italian food. These restaurants are permanent, not just special events, so guests who return have more reasons to choose one yacht over another.

Wellness gets just as much care here. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Spa uses products and treatments from brands such as ESPA and 111SKIN. Evrima also offers grooming services from the Italian barber and skincare company Pisterzi. The newer yachts have Technogym equipment, bringing another respected Italian luxury and performance brand into the fitness spaces.

You might expect these brands in a luxury hotel, but it is unusual to find so many on a single trip. Guests can wake up in a suite with a private terrace, take a Technogym class, book a 111SKIN treatment, have lunch in a space redesigned by Johanna Ortiz or Ginori 1735, browse Cartier or Piaget, and end the day dining in a restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef.

Luxury cruise lines often include celebrity chefs, designer boutiques, and premium beauty products. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection goes a step further by making these partnerships part of the yacht’s design and the overall guest experience. For example, Ginori’s designs appear not only in display cases but also on furniture, umbrellas, table settings, and in outdoor spaces where guests relax.

This strategy matters because The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection aims to attract travelers who may not typically choose cruises. The focus is not only on smaller ships, but also on the ease of unpacking once and visiting multiple destinations, while enjoying the restaurants, spa, service, and design found at a luxury resort.

If you take a cruise from Rome to Monte Carlo on Evrima, you might visit Elba, Corsica, Portofino, and Cannes. There’s plenty of time in each port for private experiences, so you won’t feel rushed. From Livorno, you could spend the night in Florence, enjoy a private after-hours visit to the Uffizi Gallery, and have dinner at a Tuscan estate. In Grasse, you can make your own perfume at Maison Galimard, then have lunch at La Bastide Saint-Antoine.

What you do on land still matters, but the growing number of brands on board brings more character to your time at sea. The yacht is now more than just transportation or a place to sleep after a day of exploring. Ginori’s designs on Evrima help set the mood on the outdoor decks and match the Italian route. Johanna Ortiz’s clothes and prints feel right at home on Ilma, especially in a warm, resort setting. The best partnerships fit in naturally, making the whole trip feel smooth and connected.

This sense of ease is intentional. Ernesto Fara, President and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, tells me, “What stays with them are the connections a voyage creates. Connections to the destination, to fellow guests, to our Ladies and Gentlemen, and often to themselves.”

With three yachts now sailing and more luxury brands joining the fleet, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is driving a major shift in luxury cruising. The ship is now the centerpiece, bringing together design, dining, wellness, shopping, and destination experiences.

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