The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is sailing to Asia for the first time during the 2025-26 winter season. With the new Luminara, the luxury brand is set to offer a series of cruises to the Far East and Southeast Asia.
Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the itineraries for the company’s debut cruise program in the region.
First Cruise in Asia
Ship: Luminara
Date: December 30, 2025
Length: 14 nights
Homeports: Singapore to Hong Kong
Itinerary: Koh Samui, Laem Chabang and Koh Kood (Thailand); Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Halong Bay (Vietnam)
After repositioning from Europe, the Luminara is set to debut in Southeast Asia with a 14-night cruise in December 2025.
The open-jaw itinerary sails between Singapore and Hong Kong over the New Year’s season and features visits to six destinations in Thailand and Vietnam. Highlights include overnight stops in Ho Chi Minh City and Laem Chabang, from which guests can access Bangkok.
Southeast Asia and the Philippines
Ship: Luminara
Date: January 13, 2026
Length: 12 nights
Homeports: Hong Kong to Singapore
Itinerary: Salomague, Busuanga, El Nido and Puerto Princesa (Philippines); Bandar Ser Begawan (Brunei Darussalam); and Kuching (Borneo)
Luminara’s maiden season in Asia also includes this 12-night itinerary that focuses on destinations in the Philippines. Sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore, the cruise features visits to four ports of call in the country, including Salomague, Busuanga, El Nido and Puerto Princesa.
The itinerary also includes off-the-beaten-path destinations in the region, such as Brunei Darussalam and Borneo.
Hong Kong to Japan
Ship: Luminara
Date: March 8, 2026
Length: 12 nights
Homeports: Hong Kong to Tokyo (Japan)
Itinerary: Shanghai (China); Incheon (South Korea); Nagasaki and Kobe (Japan)
In early March, the Luminara sails to the Far East with itineraries to destinations in China, South Korea and Japan.
This 12-night cruisesails from Hong Kong to Tokyo and features visits to Incheon, Nagasaki, Kobe and Shanghai – where the Luminara is scheduled to spend two days docked. According to Ritz-Carlton, the open-jaw cruise ends in Japan just in time for cherry blossom season.
Roundtrip Japan
Ship: Luminara
Dates: March 20, 2026
Length: 10 nights
Homeport: Tokyo (Japan)
Itinerary: Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Kagoshima (Japan); Busan (South Korea)
According to Ritz-Carlton, this ten-night cruise allows guests to discover the cultural treasures of Japan during the cherry blossom season.
Sailing roundtrip from Tokyo, the itinerary focuses on UNESCO World Heritage sites with visits to Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. The cruise also includes a stop in Busan, a port city located in South Korea.
Japan to Alaska
Ship: Luminara
Dates: May 13, 2026
Length: 15 nights
Homeports: Tokyo (Japan) to Seward (United States)
Itinerary: Kushiro and Hakodate (Japan); Dutch Harbor and Kodiak (United States)
Upon completing its schedule in Asia, the Luminara is set to offer a 15-night trans-Pacific cruise. Sailing from Tokyo to Seward, the repositioning cruise features visits to destinations in Japan and Alaska.
According to Ritz-Carlton, highlights of the itinerary include visits to Kushiro, where guests can explore the Shitsugen National Park, and the wildlife refuge of Kodiak Island.
