Following the Evrima, the new Ilma has recently become the second ship for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet.
Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the upscale mega-yacht was delivered to the brand in mid-July.
With its maiden cruise scheduled for early September, the 456-guest vessel is set to spend its inaugural season cruising between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at some of the highlights of the ship’s inaugural deployment.
Inaugural Cruise
Date: September 2, 2024
Length: 7 nights
Homeports: Monte Carlo (Monaco) to Civitavecchia (Italy)
Itinerary: St. Tropez, Cannes and Bastia (France); Livorno and Porto Cervo (Italy)
After being delivered to the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection in mid-July, the Ilma is scheduled to set sail on its first revenue cruise on September 2, 2024.
Focusing on the Western Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the seven-night itinerary sails from Monaco to Rome (Civitavecchia) and features visits to France and Italy, including St. Tropez, Bastia and Porto Cervo. The cruise is also highlighted by an overnight stay in Livorno, from which guests can reach Florence and Tuscany.
Greek Islands
Date: September 19, 2024
Length: 7 nights
Homeport: Piraeus (Greece)
Itinerary: Mykonos, Patmos, Milos, Rhodes and Santorini (Greece); and Kusadasi (Turkey)
In late September, the Ilma repositions to the Eastern Mediterranean for itineraries visiting the Greek Islands and Turkey.
This traditional week-long cruise in the region sails roundtrip from Athens (Piraeus) and includes visits to a total of six destinations in the region. According to Ritz-Carlton, the itinerary combines rich history and mythology with “sparkling blue waters and captivating beauty.”
Southern Italy and Malta
Date: October 8, 2024
Length: 7 nights
Homeport: Civitavecchia (Italy)
Itinerary: Amalfi, Sorrento and Catania (Italy); and Valletta (Malta)
Back in the Western Mediterranean, the Ilma offers a unique itinerary to Southern Italy and Malta. Sailing roundtrip from Civitavecchia, the port for Italy’s capital city, Rome, the seven-night cruise is highlighted by destinations in Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, such as Catania and Sorrento.
In addition to late-night departures, the itinerary also features overnight stays in Valletta and Amalfi, allowing guests to explore further and visit UNESCO-designated sites.
Iberian Peninsula
Date: October 22, 2024
Length: 10 nights
Homeports: Barcelona (Spain) to Lisbon (Portugal)
Itinerary: Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Málaga and Cádiz (Spain); Tangier (Morocco)
Before crossing the Atlantic for the first time, the Ilma closes out its maiden season in Europe with a ten-night cruise to Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
With three overnight stays, the itinerary allows guests extra time to explore Palma de Mallorca, Málaga and Lisbon, Ritz-Carlton said. The cruise across the Iberian Peninsula is also highlighted by a 13-hour visit to Tangier.
Caribbean Debut
Date: November 14, 2024
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Itinerary: Soufrière (St. Lucia); Terre-de-Haut (Guadeloupe); St. John’s (Antigua); Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands)
The Ilma is set to make its debut in the Caribbean in mid-November, with a six-night cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Visiting a selection of unique destinations, such as Soufrière and Terre-de-Haut, the itinerary is said to give passengers an opportunity to visit palm-shaded shores, secluded stretches of sand and boulder-laden grottos.
