The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection celebrated the christening of the Ilma on Dec. 11, 2024, at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The company said in a press release that in honour of maritime traditions, the ceremony featured a ceremonial blessing and the iconic breaking of a Champagne bottle, symbolizing good fortune and safe travels for all guests and employees on board.
Jim Murren, executive chairman and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Ernesto Fara, president and CFO, joined from Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades.
They were joined by the Ilma’s Captain Magnus Bengtsson and General Manager Sasha Tyas, along with Father Sandford Sears, who is said to be known as “Father Sandy.”
Together, they celebrated a group of female leaders from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, both shipboard and shoreside, who collectively fulfilled the role of the Alma’s godmothers.
“The christening of the Ilma marks a significant moment in our journey as we officially welcome this extraordinary yacht into our fleet. The Ilma represents growth and the exciting future of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” said Murren.
“We are incredibly grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring this beautiful yacht to life, from our dedicated team members to our global partners,” added Murren.
The celebration was held aboard the Ilma at Port Everglades and attended by employees from the company’s Ft. Lauderdale office, local officials and guests.
Joining the Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first ship, the Ilma debuted in the Mediterranean in September 2024, sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome.
For the 2024-25 winter season, the Ilma joins the Evrima in the Caribbean, offering voyages to the region’s islands. In summer 2025, the Ilma will explore Northern Europe, marking the company’s first itineraries in the North and Baltic Seas, calling on cities like Copenhagen, Reykjavík and Bordeaux.
Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas and Silversea’s Silver Moon made their inaugural calls to Dominica on Friday, December 2, 2022.
To mark the occasion, traditional plaque exchange ceremonies were held aboard each of the two ships, attended by government officials and captains.
The Rhapsody of the Seas and the Silver Moon thus become the third and fourth ship to make their inaugural calls in Dominica this season. The first ship to do so was The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima on November 24, 2022.
The Rhapsody of the Seas is scheduled to make a total of twelve calls to Dominica in the 2022/2023 season. The ship is currently on its 14-night Ultimate Caribbean Cruise which departed from Bridgetown, Barbados on December 4.
The Silver Moon, the sister ship of the Silver Muse, made its only call scheduled for Dominica in the 2022/2023 season.
After a call in Roseau, Dominica, the Silver Moon set sail to St Georges, Grenada and Bequia, Grenadines before arriving in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The Silver Moon is currently on its 16-night Bridgetown to Lima voyage which departed on December 5 and will make stops at St Vincent, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Cartagena, Colombia and Oranjestad, Aruba among other destinations.
As of November 25, the port of Dominica has received a total of 13 cruise calls carrying a total of 18,980 cruise passengers. Dominica will welcome 51 cruise calls in December 2022.
While the major corporations continue to dominate the cruise market, there are several new brands entering service over the next few years. With their new products and ships, they’re adding a fresh perspective to the business. Cruise Industry News has looked at the plans of five of the new cruise lines.
Swan Hellenic First ship: SH Minerva Built: 2021 Capacity: 152 Inaugural Cruise: December 29, 2021 Region and Itinerary: Antarctica and South Shetland Islands
Swan Hellenic is returning to the market after a four-year hiatus with new management at the helm. The new cruise line is about to launch service in Antarctica and will be operating in the expedition cruising niche.
It aims to offer “cultural expedition cruising” to remote parts of the globe with its three new purpose-built expedition ships. Sailing areas include the polar regions, where the first ship Minerva will debut on Dec. 29.
According to the company, the vessel and its sister ships were designed with “state-of-the-art features” meant to provide “guests with an elegant, intimate and personal onboard experience delivered by 120 warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff.”
The SH Vega will follow the Minerva, entering service next April, while a third – yet unnamed – vessel will debut in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Ambassador Cruise Line
First ship: Ambiance Built: 1991 Capacity: 1,590 Inaugural Cruise: April 6, 2022 Region and Itinerary: Northern Europe
Ambassador Cruise Line claims to be the first new British cruise line since 2010. The brand launched in 2021, announcing its plans to offer a “premium-value, authentic cruise experience, sailing for the British market from its homeport of London Tilbury.”
With a program of no-fly itineraries, Ambassador is focusing on the over-50s market looking for a traditional cruising product.
Ambassador’s first ship, the 1,590-guest Ambiance, was built in 1991 and is currently undergoing a major refurbishment in Croatia. Among the vessel’s main features are five restaurants, nine lounges, a swimming pool and a spa.
After the refit, the Ambiance is set to debut on Apr. 6, with an inaugural short-break cruise to Hamburg, before embarking on a mixed itinerary program with sailings to the Norwegian Fjords and the British Isles planned throughout spring.
Margaritaville at Sea First ship: Margaritaville Paradise Built: 1991 Capacity: 1,308 Inaugural Cruise: April 30, 2022 Region and Itinerary: Short cruises to Freeport, Bahamas
After doing a deal with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels group will operate a new cruise brand in 2022.
Called Margaritaville at Sea, the company will operate the Margaritaville Paradise on short Bahamas getaways beginning Apr. 30.
Currently sailing as the Grand Classica, the 1991-built vessel is expected to undergo an extensive refit at Grand Bahama before entering service for the new brand.
Margaritaville at Sea will sail from the Port of Palm Beach and is set to offer two-night cruises to Freeport in Grand Bahama Island. The product will provide guests with Margaritaville’s authentic culture, entertainment and food, the company said.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection First ship: Evrima Built: 2022 Capacity: 298 Inaugural Cruise: May 6, 2022 Region and Itinerary: Western Europe and the Mediterranean
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is launching its luxury mega yacht service in 2022. The brand is planning an upscale boutique product, focusing on dining and wellness features, onboard its purpose-built first ship Evrima.
The vessel – set to enter service in 2022 – will offer 10 different dining experiences. Those range from steaks and seafood to fully customized lunches and dinners. Other features on the ship include spa treatments and a marina-style platform with sundecks ensuring direct access to water.
The Evrima also has some of the nicest accommodations at sea, including duplex suites and a 160-square-meter Owner’s Suite with its own private terrace and whirlpool.
The ship’s first cruise is scheduled for May 6 and departs from Lisbon, Portugal. The 11-night itinerary visits seven ports in the region – including Tangier in Morocco – before it arrives in Barcelona, Spain.
Explora Journeys First ship: Explora I Built: 2023 Capacity: 922 Inaugural Cruise: May 31, 2023 Region and Itinerary: Europe – Western and Eastern Mediterranean
When it launches service in 2023, Explora Journeys will mark MSC Group’s debut in the luxury market. The new brand will sail global itineraries on mid-sized purpose-built vessels and currently has four ships on order.
According to MSC, Explora Journeys will offer the “highest level of service and amenities,” while utilizing the latest technology to provide “journeys of discovery” through destinations “on and off the beaten path.”
The brand’s first ship Explora I’s first cruise is scheduled to depart on May 31, 2023. For its debut season, the 922-guest vessel is offering a program in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic for a series of itineraries in North America, the Caribbean and South America.
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