Ritz-Carlton releases images of its second superyacht, and it looks stunning
Over the last several years, major luxury hotel brands like Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton have been making waves (literally) in the cruise space by introducing a series of luxury yachts to deliver the brands' high-end service out on the seas.
While we'll have to wait until 2025 to see the Four Seasons yachts, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection already has one ship, Evrima, sailing. The collection's second ship, Ilma, is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France — and now we have new renderings of the ship so would-be luxury sailors can have a taste of what the onboard experience will feel like.
Measuring in at 790 feet, the superyacht is a marriage of design by AD Associates, Aivan and DPA, and is named after the Maltese word for water. According to a statement from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, both the interior and exterior design invite guests "to soak in the azure waters and coastlines it sails."
Ilma's first sailing is set to be a seven-night voyage from Monte Carlo, Monaco, to Rome on Sept. 2.
On Ilma, there are 224 suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows to watch the world sail by, private terraces to enjoy the salty sea air, marble-filled bathrooms with Diptyque amenities, espresso machines, minibars, premium Wi-Fi, a personal concierge and 24-hour in-room dining.
Restaurants on board include Tides, the main restaurant serving fresh, seasonal food inspired by the destinations visited; Seta, an Italian restaurant; Memori, a Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar; and the Peruvian beach club-inspired indoor-outdoor restaurant Beach House, designed by Toronto's Chapi Chapo Design, which features an infinity pool.
And while days will be spent exploring beautiful destinations or lounging by the main pool on Deck 10, guests can take time to relax at the Ritz-Carlton Spa to take advantage of a sauna, steam room, 11 treatment rooms and full-service salon (and barber).
Other key features of Ilma include an observation terrace with panoramic views; a cigar lounge; a luxury boutique; the Living Room, which hosts live music and DJ events; and a gym with fitness classes, a cycle studio and other typical gym equipment.
Kids are welcome on Ilma, and there's even a kids club that offers educational activities and good, old-fashioned fun.
But most interestingly, as TPG's cruise expert Gene Sloan previously reported, Ilma is set to potentially be the most spacious cruise ship ever built.
How to book
Ilma's inaugural season will see the yacht sailing around the Mediterranean, with the first itinerary departing from Monte Carlo and stopping in popular spots like Saint-Tropez and Cannes in France and Porto Cervo and Rome in Italy, among others. Advertised fares for that seven-night sailing start at $10,300.
Fares are significantly less for future sailings, including $5,900 for a seven-night cruise from Puerto Rico to Barbados and $5,400 for a six-night round-trip sailing from Barbados.
Can you earn or use Marriott Bonvoy points?
Yes, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 5 points per $1 spent on cruise fares as well as hotel packages at participating Marriott hotels booked through the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Unfortunately, redeeming Bonvoy points isn't as lucrative as one would hope; members can redeem 180,000 points for $1,000 off cruise fare, then increments of 90,000 points to get an additional $500 off.
Bonvoy elite members also get special perks, depending on status, including welcome gifts, private receptions, priority boarding, laundry and pressing, and early access to dining reservations.
Check out our full guide to the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to learn more about elite benefits, redemptions and earnings.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.