In October, Bazaar is celebrating our obsessions—how they delight us, connect us, and keep us going. Tune in each day for a new story, or go here to read them all.
On an early-summer evening, the Pool House was bumping; the all-white restaurant, which opened to a sun-drenched terrace with sea views, was humming with music and conversation. The glamorous scene was something out of an exclusive members’ club, except it was on the ocean, aboard the Evrima, the inaugural ship of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
A new crop of small upscale ships launched by luxury hotel brands (Four Seasons, Aman, and Orient Express have all followed the Ritz-Carlton’s lead) is shattering clichés about cruising, from the idea that it’s only for geriatric travelers to the assumption that the meals are bland buffets. This new generation of boats feels more like luxury hotels on water, and they’re typically small enough to anchor at ports that are inaccessible to bigger ships. Their smaller size and thoughtful design mean these boats tend to be more energy efficient too, with innovations like electric motors and SCR filter systems that radically reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions.
Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection x Johanna Ortiz Ilma
The Ritz-Carlton was one of the first hotel brands to come out with its version of a cruise. The 298-passenger Evrima launched in the fall of 2022, followed by Ilma in 2024 and Luminara in 2025. Fashion designer Johanna Ortiz, who lent design touches to the Ilma, had never been on a cruise before. Now she says, “It’s my favorite way to travel. I was amazed at how good the food was and how you could always find a space on the deck to yourself to watch the sun go down over the sea. It’s so relaxing.”
Earlier this year, Four Seasons debuted its first yacht, Four Seasons I, which has 95 generous suites—the smallest is 473 square feet—and a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. The public spaces, including a jewel-box champagne and caviar bar, were designed by superstar Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki.
Four Seasons Yachts Four Seasons I
In April, Orient Express christened the Corinthian. It is the world’s largest sailing yacht, featuring three masts with 16,145-square-foot sails, plus 54 suites, five restaurants, and a spa with a hammam. The cultish Aman brand is the latest joining the race; debuting in spring of next year, the 47-suite Amangati will offer Aman’s signature sleek minimalist interiors and wellness focus.
A room on Orient Express’s Corinthian
Aqua Expeditions Aqua Lares Main saloon bar
And though they didn’t originate from five-star hotel brands, Aqua Expeditions and Ponant Explorations have pioneered the small-luxury-cruise scene, reaching destinations more remote than the standard Mediterranean and Caribbean ports. Ponant introduced the world’s first luxury icebreaker, the 123-cabin Le Commandant Charcot, five years ago, and this summer Aqua debuted the Aqua Lares, which goes to the Seychelles in the winter and the Arctic in the summer.
All of these hotels on water offer elaborate wellness options, from private yoga and sport training classes to the latest in facial treatments, but the most meditative activity on board any of them is surely gazing out at the vast sea moving by as the sun sets.
