The first night at sea, I woke around 4 a.m., wanting to step onto my balcony. This was my first cruise, and the idea of drifting through the Mediterranean under a moonlit sky was too appealing to ignore, even if it was almost dawn. I slipped out of bed, and as my feet brushed the floor, a subtle light glowed at the base of the nightstand, illuminating my path to the door without disturbing my sleeping husband—a thoughtful touch that felt instinctive, reminding me that I wasn’t on a typical cruise but aboard Ilma, the newest superyacht from Ritz-Carlton.
With 224 suites, all with private balconies, Ilma is a more intimate environment than you’d expect on a cruise vacation, partly because the service is so incredibly personal. From the outset, I was greeted by a team of crew members who seemed to know not only my name but my favorite drink and how I took my coffee—small touches that felt wonderfully Ritz-Carlton, echoing the personalized service you’d find at one of their iconic hotels.
Boarding in Barcelona for a three-day journey was as seamless as checking into a boutique hotel—no rush, crowds, or hustle typical of most cruises. Glasses of champagne or refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails were offered upon check-in, then again as we boarded the yacht with our guest services attendant. Aboard Ilma, every detail is curated to embody the yachting lifestyle, from luxurious fabrics and fine art to custom furnishings and refined culinary options. The yacht is a marvel of architecture, with floor-to-ceiling windows in every public area, immersing guests in a constant connection to the surrounding sea and landscapes.
Ilma offers a stunning selection of suites, each designed with the sophistication of a high-end Ritz-Carlton property. Mine was the Grand Suite, which had two chairs, a table, a lounger on a balcony overlooking the sea, a bedroom with more storage than I could fill, and a plush bed layered with high-thread-count Frette linens. There was a dining and living area, a bathroom with two vanities, a full-size tub, a heated towel rack, and a spacious shower. The also room comes with a personal host for each guest who introduces her or himself once checked in and makes everything from unpacking to arranging in-room dining feel effortless.
True to the Ritz-Carlton brand, dining on Ilma was a highlight, with six onboard dining venues. From Seta Su, a premier restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi, offering an exquisite tasting menu in a cozy 40-seat setting, to Beach House, a Pan-Latin option by another Michelin-starred chef, Michael Mina, there are options for every palate and mood. The menus are diverse and cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, ensuring that every guest’s culinary needs are met.
There’s a perception that cruises involve a non-stop schedule of activities and excursions, but not here. Guests are encouraged to unwind at their own pace at one of two pools—a larger top deck pool with plenty of lounge chair seating so you’re not vying for a place to sit at 8 am and a smaller infinity pool near the beach house where you might hear a live saxophonist or DJ in the middle of the afternoon as I did.
For a touch of zen, a visit to the spa is a must. Treatments are customized in one of the 11 spacious treatment rooms, making you forget you’re even on a yacht. With the highest space-per-guest ratio in the cruising industry, Ilma also offers a salon and barber shop featuring products by Italian grooming brand Pisterzi, with scents created by perfumer Joelle Lerioux Patris, whom Worth has profiled previously.
Our port stop in St. Tropez allowed us to explore one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous destinations. Disembarking was seamless—no long lines or delays, just a short ride on the ship’s tender to the heart of this storied port town. Guests can take advantage of curated port excursions – visits to local wineries, a chef’s dinner at a local restaurant, and in St Tropez, a pastry class to learn how to make their world-famous Tarte tropézienne. The concierge will also create a custom excursion – as with anything Ritz Carlton, all you have to do is ask.
Evenings on Ilma are a celebration in themselves. While one could relax on the balcony with a cocktail at sunset, the allure of the Living Room—a lounge that transforms from a coffee bar by day to a lively nightspot—was irresistible. There is a library in one corner and a live band that plays hits every night and takes a few requests from well-heeled travelers. We chatted with the band every night between sets and found a lovely group of musicians worldwide.
The staff are as accommodating and service-oriented as expected from the Ritz Carlton. Welcoming, friendly, not overbearing, anticipating, and available whenever needed. When we arrived, our clothes were rumpled, and we needed something blue to wear for the launch party. Our attendant was able to get our clothes pressed and ready for the evening, and in the process, he took care of a few of the other items in our closet just because he could. Like the band, the staff hail from around the world. All were experienced, having worked on other cruise lines or other Ritz Carlton ships, and all expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for being able to work on Ilma.
On our final night, cruising from St. Tropez to Monte Carlo, I awoke again at 4 am and stepped onto the balcony for some air. I wondered what the disembarkation process would be — would we all tender to the shore? With almost 300 guests on board, that seemed difficult, but I knew that Ritz Carlton would find a way to make even the most challenging experience as seamless as possible. I went back to bed, and when my alarm woke me up a few hours later, I opened the drapes to see a breathtaking sight—Monaco shimmering in a soft rose-gold morning light. Somehow, in the early dawn, while I drifted between sleep and wakefulness, we had smoothly made our way to port.
Before we disembarked, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, our luggage discreetly collected and taken ashore. Our travel concierge had arranged ground transportation, and just like that, we were off Ilma and on our way to Nice for the next leg of our adventure. Seamless.
Ilma isn’t merely a superyacht; it’s a floating Ritz-Carlton, a luxury hotel where the views change daily, but the commitment to quality and comfort remains constant. For travelers hesitant about cruising, concerned it may lack sophistication or tranquility, Ilma offers a refined alternative. It’s an ideal luxury experience for the modern traveler.
