The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma, a 224-room superyacht, set sail on its debut voyage at the end of summer, promising a unique approach to luxury travel. The hotel group’s latest venture is designed to offer guests a refined yachting experience that steers far from the crowded, mass-market vibe associated with traditional cruising. But Ilma’s stature—though smaller than most cruise liners—still raises a critical question: at what point does a yacht turn into a cruise ship, and is the distinction really clear?
As Ilma departed Barcelona on a three-night sail to Monte Carlo, it passed the Costa Toscana, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, with 2,663 rooms. Passengers aboard the Toscana waved, but on Ilma, the vibe was one of aloof enjoyment as passengers partied to a live DJ. It was clear that Ilma’s guests saw themselves differently, not as cruise-goers but as travelers in an exclusive class. The fares reinforce this sentiment; Ilma’s inaugural season in the Mediterranean offered a seven-night Rome-to-Barcelona itinerary starting at $8,700 per person, with suites climbing up to $51,200. Later in the season, a 10-night journey from Barcelona to Lisbon ranged from $13,500 to an eye-watering $79,700 per person. Ilma’s luxurious staterooms, all suites with balconies, added to the appeal. With marble-clad bathrooms featuring soaking tubs and spacious closets, each room was a sanctuary. At the top tier, the Owner’s Suites stretched over 1,000 square feet and included living and dining areas, walk-in closets, and private terraces with hot tubs.
Onboard, the luxury treatment was evident. Moët & Chandon flowed generously, and guests could indulge in Macallan whisky tastings at their leisure. Dining venues helmed by celebrated chefs Michael Mina and Fabio Trabocchi set the culinary bar high, while a nearly 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio ensured attentive service. Guests could always find a lounge chair by the pool or a table at one of the ship’s various restaurants without hassle. Yet, the scale of Ilma made it hard to completely escape the cruise experience, as even some guests pointed out upon boarding, observing, “Yes, this is still a cruise ship.”
One standout of the service was the Suite Ambassador, a dedicated assistant for each suite who handled everything from personalizing the bar to scheduling preferences. This personalized touch kept the superyacht feeling, at least in part, genuine. However, the limits of Ilma’s “yacht-like” service became apparent in a few key ways. Dining by the pool, for instance, wasn’t as freeform as some guests anticipated. While food was being served nearby, strict rules meant that orders couldn’t be taken at poolside lounge chairs, a restriction that veered closer to cruise protocol than bespoke yachting service.
The true “cruise” experience emerged during an organized excursion to Saint-Tropez. In a less-than-yachting moment, guests found themselves herded off the ship by a tour guide holding a placard—an experience they hadn’t expected. Instead of a private van tailored for a select group, they boarded a full-sized bus, complete with audio guide headphones. For those paying for a yacht-like experience, this was not the intimate or personalized excursion they had imagined, and it left many feeling more like tourists than exclusive travelers.
Ultimately, Ilma brings luxury to the seas, but some elements of the experience tread a fine line between a yacht’s exclusivity and the more standardized feel of a cruise. While the ship’s interior, service, and dining options may promise the elegance of a superyacht, moments like the Saint-Tropez excursion remind guests that Ilma hasn’t entirely left the world of cruising behind.
