The “Never Cruiser” Who Fell for the Sea
Orient Express Sailing Yachts, Corinthian
I used to swear I’d never step foot on a cruise ship. Whether justified or not, in my head, cruising meant megaships with 5,000 strangers, buffet stampedes, deck-chair battles, and those doom-scroll headlines about infectious outbreaks at sea. Hard pass.
But admittedly there were parts of being out at sea that appealed to me: salt air, horizon views, and the magic of waking up in a new place without repacking a suitcase. I just wanted those good bits . . . minus the “conventional cruise experience.”
Enter: Yachts for People Who Don’t Do Cruises
While planning a Greek Islands trip, my inbox started serving up irresistible lures. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. The Four Seasons Yachts. Then the Orient Express and Aman joined the chat. The promise? Intimate vessels that feel like private superyachts. Think more “floating boutique hotel” than “floating city.” For those of us who aren’t quite in the private superyacht-chartering bracket yet (though tempted!), this felt like the perfect stand-in.
Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, Ilma
Here’s the current status of this “new era of cruising” from the ultra-luxury hotel brands:
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection currently operates three vessels in its fleet.
Four Seasons Yachts debuts its first vessel in Spring 2026 (booking now).
Orient Express Sailing Yachts launches Summer 2026 (also booking now).
Aman at Sea sets sail Spring 2027 (suite sales expected Winter 2026).
The more I learned about these superyachts, the more open I became to the idea of “cruising,” and I booked my first-ever voyage: seven nights on the Ritz-Carlton Ilma from Athens to Istanbul in May 2025.
So . . . did I like it?
More than liked, I converted.
Even at full capacity (about 450 guests), Ilma felt uncrowded. In fact, I relished frequent opportunities aboard when my husband and I enjoyed common areas of the ship when hardly anyone else was there, except for an attendant staff quick to inquire about any requests. Picture a sleek, contemporary hideaway with personal but never fussy service. No lines. No frantic announcements. Just a quietly glamorous rhythm: sunrise coffee, shore adventures, lazy lunches, a swim platform calling your name, and dinners that felt like private club reservations at sea.
Yes, suites are priced above many traditional luxury lines. But between the space, the design, the serenity, and the “they-know-your-name-by-day-one” service, the value landed for me. I was beyond elated when the onboard barista handed me my cappuccino topped with flawless latte art of my beloved Portuguese Water Dog gazing lovingly back at me.
Buoyed by my love affair for this type of nautical voyage, I came home and promptly grabbed an Istrian Riviera itinerary on Four Seasons Yacht I for June 2026. I am now booking a French West Indies & Windward Islands itinerary on the Orient Express Corinthian for January 2027. If “never” becomes “next,” that’s how it happens.
Why this New Wave Feels Different
Hotel brands are raising the bar:
Smaller ships, fewer guests → intimate, uncrowded spaces
Smart itineraries → coveted ports, longer stays, fewer “tour bus” vibes
Residential-style suites → terraces, light, and room to breathe
Personalized service → more like a staffed villa than a ship
Meanwhile, the luxury fixtures—Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Ponant and Viking—are leveling up with refreshed hardware and thoughtful inclusions. Translation: more excellent options, tailored to how you like to travel.
Ready to Dip a Toe (or Dive Right in)?
At MTY Luxury Travel, I book both the hotel-branded superyachts and the world’s finest traditional luxury lines. You’ll get insider intel, the freshest itineraries, and exceptional offers—with no extra cost to you.
📧 tessa@mtyluxurytravel.com — let’s chart your course.
Luxury Superyacht Snapshots
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Evrima, Ilma & Luminara
Ritz-Carlton was the first hotel brand to bet big on the water. And it’s paying off. With Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara, they’ve set the benchmark for what this new style of cruising looks like: polished design, big airy suites (all with terraces), and the signature Ritz-Carlton service you’d expect, but on the scale of a private yacht.
The Evrima is the smallest of the Ritz Carlton ships, followed by Ilma and Luminara:
Evrima – 149 suites
Ilma – 224 suites
Luminara – 226 suites
Forget buffets and crowded dining halls. Here it’s Michelin-inspired restaurants, a world-class spa, and a marina platform that lets you slip straight into the sea for watersports or sunbathing.
What really makes Ritz-Carlton stand out right now is reach. Their itineraries already span the globe—the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Africa, Asia, Alaska, and the Caribbean—while the other hotel-branded yachts are still gearing up.
Four Seasons Yachts: Four Seasons Yacht I
Four Seasons Yacht I
Set to debut in Spring 2026, the Four Seasons Yacht I is shaping up to be one of the most exclusive ships at sea. With just 95 suites, it’s intentionally intimate, and the layouts are jaw-dropping. Every suite has floor-to-ceiling windows and oversized terraces, starting at 473 square feet of interior space (plus terrace) and scaling up to the show-stopper:
The Funnel Suite – 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 5,097 square feet indoors and nearly 5,000 square feet of terrace. It’s basically a floating villa with 360° views, accommodating up to five adults and one child.Make it stand out
Other highlights are a transverse marina deck that flips into a lounge-and-play space during 'Marina Days,' a serene pool deck, a spa and fitness center worth skipping port for, and dining venues that carry Four Seasons’ culinary reputation to sea.
One quirk. Unlike Ritz-Carlton’s all-inclusive approach, Four Seasons includes breakfast but keeps the rest à la carte, more in line with their resort philosophy. The Four Seasons explains this is to encourage guests to take advantage of their late nights in Port and to dine on shore, without feeling any guilt for skipping their onboard meals.
The inaugural itineraries will rotate between the Mediterranean and Caribbean, with service that blends the familiar Four Seasons polish with the novelty of being carried from port to port.
Orient Express Sailing Yachts: The Corinthian
If Ritz-Carlton is sleek modernity and Four Seasons is over-the-top exclusivity, the Orient Express Corinthian is pure romance. Launching Fall 2026, this 110-guest luxury sailing yacht leans into the golden age of travel. Think Art Deco glamour meets French refinement, set to the rhythm of billowing sails.
Inside, expect interiors inspired by Orient Express’ storied heritage: elegant, atmospheric spaces designed to make you linger. Cuisine will be French- and Mediterranean-driven, paired with standout wines. With its smaller size and sailing capability, the Corinthian will reach tucked-away ports that big ships can’t, focusing on culture, authenticity, and immersion.
The vibe here is timeless and deeply personal, perfect for travelers who crave the intimacy of sailing without giving up an ounce of luxury.
Aman at Sea: Amangiri
Spring 2027 brings perhaps the most anticipated launch of all: Aman at Sea. If you know Aman, you know the vibe—serenity, simplicity, and intentional design that strips away the noise. Imagine that ethos afloat.
With space for just 94 guests, every suite will have a private terrace and a minimalist aesthetic that makes the sea itself the star. Indoor and outdoor living will blur together in signature Aman style.
Wellness is the heart of the experience: think holistic spa programs, sunrise yoga, meditation, and tailored treatments. Dining will follow Aman’s quiet philosophy too, elevated but unpretentious, letting local flavors shine.
This is less about 'going on a cruise' and more about retreating into calm, understated luxury while drifting from one horizon to the next. Bookings open in Winter 2026, and the buzz is already huge.