I just took my first cruise in over 20 years, and I have to say, my expectations were exceeded! I hadn’t really considered taking cruises for a long time, but I’ve been fascinated by the recent trend of luxury hotel groups getting into the cruising industry (or at least licensing out their names for such…
Continue reading: My Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Cruise Experience: A Pleasant Surprise!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Sounds lovely - and it definitely should be for $1000/person per day. This is VERY high end pricing for a cruise FYI. Compared to some hotels these days though, it's a bargain.
If this was this last weekend, I saw you guys sailing by from the Ritz in St. Thomas. I thought the ship looked cool so I googled it. My first thought upon finding out it was an RC Yacht was: I wonder if OMAAT has a review. You didn’t… guess I should’ve been more patient.
Cruising is awesome. On the luxury side I love Crystal Cruises. You get a touch of that old world of cruising which makes it a fun experience.
This is very much not for me, but I appreciate the write up! I'm curious - how was the tech in the room? I've heard from a few people that they were very pleasantly surprised with the overall experience but that the tech in the room was inconvenient/lacking, which is obviously strange for a brand new ship.
Agreed about the state of value in hotels. That's a great idea to try something new and different; glad it was a good experience!
$6200 for a truly all-inclusive (I guess besides certain specialty wines and liquors?) all-inclusive cruise on a ship this nice seems like... dare I say it, quite a good deal? Like it's $2000 a day/night for, say, a room/location/activities that might cost you $1000 a night and then you are paying $1,000 a day for awesome food and drinks, which is easily what you'd spend in such a place.
If you're new to cruise reviews just a heads up to include a pic of your balcony and any furniture on it, looks like you only captured the grand suite's not your standard cabin.
These companies need to stop with the expedition BS marketing.
That word alone costs you an extra $200/night.
F**k, nobody calls flying CRJ an "expedition".
Was there anyone who got motion sickness? I am prone to motion sickness on boats but wondering how it would be on large ships. I took Dramamine and that didn't help. The main thing that scares me is that once on the boat, there's really no getting off until the next stop.
That photo from the special marina "incredible deck at the bottom back of the ship" looks downright dangerous! So theres a ring of lounge chairs and directly behind and in front without any guardrails direct ocean underneath?
Also even on the other decks the railing gaps looks unsafe too for taking young kids on it who can slide right through it into the ocean!
I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise, though somewhat surprised in making the booking you were not offered the usual promotional rates Ritz Carlton offers to partner travel agents, which would be substantially less than what you paid. (Perhaps you have a policy against booking reduced travel agent fam fares). I hope in your full review you will give proper recognition to Ritz Carlton Yachts having contracted with V. Ships Leisure. V.Ships Leisure (a division of V.Group) provides comprehensive ship management services for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. While Ritz-Carlton handles the brand experience, sales, and marketing, they have partnered with V.Ships to manage the technical and operational complexities of their fleet. Under their long-term strategic partnership, V.Ships Leisure handles several key operational areas for the yachts, including:
- Technical Management: Overseeing the maintenance, engineering, and overall technical health of the vessels.
- Crewing & Recruitment: Sourcing and managing qualified deck, engine, and hotel crew members.
- Marine Procurement: Managing the supply chain and purchasing for ship operations.
-Safety & Compliance: Ensuring the yachts meet all international maritime rules, regulations, and safety standards.
-ShipSure Platform: Utilizing V.Ships' proprietary digital platform for real-time data and operational oversight
https://vgrouplimited.com/ship-management/leisure/
V
I hope you used your boyfriend's travel agent rate. Assume he's entitled to it, why not use it
Not cheap but decent enough for the size of these rooms and food and drink quality. Almost enough to tempt me to go on a first cruise.
What about other potential extras? Tips, WiFi or laundry are they included too?
Glad you had a good, if very short taste of the cruise environment. While I have not sailed with Ritz-Carlton yet, I have enjoyed most of the luxury lines (Silversea, Seabourn, Explora, Ponant, etc.) to varying degrees. I have to say, Evrima is generally priced higher per-day than its competitors. And, a 280-sq-ft “suite” is actually a tad smaller than entry-level cabins on the aforementioned lines.
As for “the problem with cruising is you just eat, eat, eat,” well, that’s on you. I go for the sea environment and exploring (on foot) places like Norway’s fjords, or the outer Seychelles, or Alaska’s Inside Passage that would be difficult-to-impossible to see via a traditional land journey.
I hope you try cruise lines beyond the hotel brands, as special experiences await those who venture onto some of the many smaller, more intimate, less-branded ships traveling the seven seas.
@Disco Dave, of those other lines you mentioned, which are your top two or three picks? Thanks.
I think it'd be really great if these cruises were giving night elite credits in the same fashion hotel stays do
Take a ferry for an hour in rough seas. You'll know if you can take 3 days+ on a ship.
@ GRKennedy -- They do earn elite nights with Marriott Bonvoy. Our three night cruise earned me three elite nights, and they already posted to my account. 🙂
@ Disco Dave -- Thanks for the thoughts! I have the same question as Timo. Of those cruise lines, which would you most recommend? I get it's largely about the destinations (and I like Ponant for that) and the ship, but generally any thoughts on Silversea vs. Seabourn, for example?
@ Nikojas -- Starlink Wi-Fi and gratuity are included. Regarding laundry, there are actually complimentary self-serve laundry facilities onboard. Otherwise some Bonvoy elite members receive complimentary serviced laundry, depending on their tier. Others do have to pay for that.
Beyond laundry, the only other thing you're on the hook for is any spa treatments, the super premium alcohol options, etc. We actually didn't spend a dime while onboard.
@ yiannis93117 -- In this case we just paid the standard rate. I'll explain it more in the full review, but we actually traveled as a group, as this was also a work retreat for Ford's team.
This was planned a long time in advance, and I believe any travel advisor rates they have are if planning closer to the actual sailing date.
@ pstm91 -- That's interesting feedback. I don't necessarily have much context about what tech is supposed to be like on ships nowadays (given how long it has been since I've cruised).
When it comes to tech in the room, it took me a second to figure out how to use some of the lighting switches. Also, while minor, I didn't love how most of the outlets in the room were sort of inside hidden compartments, because they weren't wide enough to put a "brick" Apple charger in there (so I had to get creative, and use an adapter). The curtains were also manual rather than automatic, but I don't think that's unusual for ships?
What have you heard from others? 🙂
@ DiogenesTheCynic -- Yeah, relatively speaking, luxury cruising is certainly becoming a much more compelling option than luxury hotels.
It's incredible how $2K guest rooms at many luxury properties have become the norm with almost nothing included, and then people end up spending another $1-2K per day on experiences.
@ Sam -- I didn't notice anyone getting motion sickness, and quite honestly, I barely felt the movement. In fairness, the area we were cruising in isn't known for being particularly rough. But of course I can't speak for how you'd experience it, since we're all different. Good luck, if you do choose to take a cruise!
@ Luke -- The ocean "pool" in the middle of the marina actually has a net under it, so guests can only swim in the center area, and not go into the ocean.
If you go back here, you do have to sign a waiver, kids have to wear a life vest, and there are a lot of staff around watching closely after everyone. They also only offer this on calm days.
My wife and I sailed on Evrima last summer and we loved it. We’re currently booking our next ritzy cruise, which will be on one of the larger yachts in Asia and we will almost certainly do more in the future.
We thought the crew were fantastic and whilst these cruises are very expensive relative to other cruise lines we thought it was great value
Silversea has gotten cheap and nickel-and-dimey.
I took it two years ago with my family on a trip around the Baltic sea. The ship itself was nice, but what got annoying was about half the exursions offered you had to pay for. But there were some included ones,but you had to sign up in advance, and that was annoying as they sold out months in advance. NOW, pretty much all the excursions are paid. It's obnoxious.
Two years ago the food was very mediocre, and again, you had to hustle to make reservations months in advance for the restaurants. It was annoying.
I heard many people say, during the trip, "it was better before Royal Caribbean bought it."
I'd recommend a river cruise. But not Viking. Go upmarket to something like Tauck. The best.
My aunt and uncle were just on a Ritz Carlton cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong in January-February. They said the ship was half empty and there was an annoying influencer onboard who kept commandeering space that prevented people from using areas at certain parts of the trip. They were annoyed.
Received in the mail 2 weeks ago - an expensive, 40 page booklet brochure on the Cruise line - showing the ships and services. Not sure who provided the addresses to them - maybe AmEx?
Pretty much this exact thing - that they weren't laid out well and annoying to use with placement. On a somewhat related note, my boss is on the FS Yacht right now and it's a completely different level...
Huh? Who hurt you.
A cruise does not land on Antarctica. Cruise ships are not ice hull strengthened.
True story, I was on the same short sailing from San Juan. I felt that the service was excellent just like you said. I was most impressed with the boarding experience as someone personally escorted me from the time the car dropped me off, through checking the bag and they waited while I registered at the desk. That person then escorted me to the yacht. They handed me off to another host on the yacht who continued to escort me through the muster process and then to the room where they gave me a complete orientation. That really stood out.
With it being such a small space we must have crossed paths multiple times! It is nice you had a similar experience.
The price point is very high at $6k for three nights so I doubt I will go on again even though the service experience was so positive.
I did notice in the dining, they tended to have long pauses in between the appetizer course and the entree course. That seemed to happen with every meal while the starter and appetizer courses came right away. So that was the only negative thing I noticed with dining. Did you experience the same?
To each their own. Fine for 3 nights and makes sense for a larger group trip, but if I was going to spend this kind of cash on a week-long vacation with the family, I'd just charter a catamaran with a skipper and actually go to some off the beaten path places and avoid the crowds. No Marriott benefits (the horrors), BYOC (bring your own champagne) and enjoy.
I've been on two cruises on much larger ships (admittedly much cheaper than this RC trip) and the thing I hated the most was "all the other bloody people & having to queue all the time..." This seems like a much more pleasant option.
@Ben I remember you had a general overview post of Ponant awhile back, any interest in trying them now to see how they stack up against the RC yachts? As far as I can tell by ship size and such, Ponant appears to be in a similar market space.
Thanks for the nice review. Feels good to read it. I've been involved in the development of the project in the early stages and we obviously seem to have developed the right product - at least for you.
I'd love to see a review from you about MSC Yacht Club. It consistently wins awards for best ship within a ship experience. Hope you get a chance to check it out.
Thanks for the review. I’ve been looking into this for our family. In your full review mind commenting on how this would be with kids as we have a 5 yr old and 7 month old and would want to take them. Thanks
@ DontAskMyAge -- Hah, they're two very different experiences, so I think it's hard to compare.
Quickly commenting here. So glad you did this. I'm sure somebody else has said this but if you book Antarctica make sure you book an expedition where they actually make landings and have zodiacs to get you ashore. I've cruised extensively at what I would call the top of mid-level. The level you just experienced as a whole nother level of expense but also supposed luxury and I've long been curious if it's worth it.
"I just took my first cruise in over 20 years, and I have to say, my expectations were exceeded!"
That's not surprising. This industry has evolved leaps and bounds as have most others. But cruising has really changed...I've been cruising 14 years and I've seen massive changes some good others bad.
Have you done regent? How was seabourn and silver Sea disco dave? Lindblad or whatever it is is Hyatt but there's meh benefits. Desperate for rooms of any kind those Hyatters
@Jack: Have you cruised Crystal since it was resurrected a few years back? I had cruised with them a few times in the '10s and it was amazing. Was wondering how its fared since, being as it now is run by a completely different company.
For me, it really goes beyond conventional theories of "luxury," so for me, there's no one-size-fits-all.
The itineraries of Ponant are truly diverse and unique, but know that you will be cruising with a French crew. Explora's dining is superb, but itineraries are a little conventional (that will change as they add ships this year and next) and I don't like how much of the common areas feel like a JW Marriott lobby, or high-end shopping mall. Silversea's S.A.L.T. program is truly innovative, but only offered on half the fleet.
The ambience of Windstar -- crew and passengers -- is really relaxed and unpretentious, the friendliest at sea, and the sailing ships are finally getting long-overdue cabin upgrades (the non-sailing ships got theirs a few years ago). Worth mentioning is Riverside, a new river cruise line, which has probably the highest per-pax food budget of any cruise line, and it shows. I'll refrain commenting on Seabourn, as my last with them was a decade ago. Haven't been on Regent or Crystal, hope to in the next year.
Of the "big" ship brands, I like Viking, and though I think it's an excellent product I wouldn't classify it as luxury (hence, it's overpriced) and the reserved ambiance is really focused on destination immersion such as port talks (no hairy chest contest, a la Carnival). Viking's ships are a perfect size, real Goldilocks. Virgin is doing interesting things, but it's definitely not for all tastes -- I went aboard anticipating I wouldn't like it but my opinion turned around after a couple days. And Disney does an excellent job for mass-market.
@Timo, my reply may be buried, but...
For me, it really goes beyond conventional theories of "luxury," so for me, there's no one-size-fits-all.
The itineraries of Ponant are truly diverse and unique, but know that you will be cruising with a French crew. Explora's dining is superb, but itineraries are a little conventional (that will change as they add ships this year and next) and I don't like how much of the common areas feel like a JW Marriott lobby, or high-end shopping mall. Silversea's S.A.L.T. program is truly innovative, but only offered on half the fleet.
The ambience of Windstar -- crew and passengers -- is really relaxed and unpretentious, the friendliest at sea, and the sailing ships are finally getting long-overdue cabin upgrades (the non-sailing ships got theirs a few years ago). Worth mentioning is Riverside, a new river cruise line, which has probably the highest per-pax food budget of any cruise line, and it shows. I'll refrain commenting on Seabourn, as my last with them was a decade ago. Haven't been on Regent or Crystal, hope to in the next year.
Of the "big" ship brands, I like Viking, and though I think it's an excellent product I wouldn't classify it as luxury (hence, it's overpriced) and the reserved ambiance is really focused on destination immersion such as port talks (no hairy chest contest, a la Carnival). Viking's ships are a perfect size, real Goldilocks. Virgin is doing interesting things, but it's definitely not for all tastes -- I went aboard anticipating I wouldn't like it but my opinion turned around after a couple days. And Disney does an excellent job for mass-market.
I have looked into a longer cruise with RC but seems cost prohibitive. The suites look so small for the $$$$ also. But looks like a great experience esp the food options.
Ben, I appreciate this review. My family and I like active vacations and cruises have always seemed too sedentary. But I'm intrigued by your point about visiting places that would otherwise be difficult to see (e.g., Alaska, Antarctica). I'd love to read more--in your reviews over time or from commenters--about favorite high-end cruises to places like that.
15 years ago, I flew international business class for the first time after your blog showed me the way. Maybe you'll get me on a cruise one day too!
Perhaps "quite a good deal" compared to a land-based "luxury vacation" but $2k/nt for 2 people seems super steep for a cruise. And cruise pricing is much more opaque than land-based pricing, with options from Costco to CruiseCompete to deliver more competitive pricing than booking direct.
For example, I'm seeing 6 or 7 night Caribbean cruises on Seabourne or Regent with similar inclusions, slightly bigger small ships (600-700 passengers) for about $10k for 2 people or less than half the per-person-per-night cost of RC. Again, that's with zero effort at finding a cheaper price.
In your full review, I hope you’ll talk more about your fellow passengers. My experience with luxury cruises, especially river cruises, has been that most passengers were rather conservative. As a gay couple, we got the disapproval, subtle but real, and we had to be very careful about explaining our situation. While no one was outright rude, we were “shunned” in a way that degraded the whole experience. The staff were fantastic though, and were more than welcoming to us.
Just wondering if there were any kids? This certainly doesn’t look appealing for children. A few years ago we took a cruise on Oceania. It was lovely…I just read that O is soon to go no kids.
Or their luxury line Explora Journeys. All new ships with only 900 pax (1.25:1 pax to crew ratio), all inclusive like Ben experienced here, and have some great itineraries that stop in smaller ports.
There's no point in taking a three night cruise. First day you board around 1pm last day you have to get off at 8am, so it's basically a one day cruise. If you want to experience a proper luxury cruise then try a 27 night voyage on Seabourn, which I am doing on Saturday. Of course being retired helps.
Which river cruise line, specifically, did that happen on? We went on Tauck with my parents and had no issues - we were all welcome and had a great time with many of the other passengers.
You mention the wine and drinks being of high quality. Did you happen to snap any pictures of the list?
I mean, two gay couples (me and brother are both gay and both had our partners) and we didn't spend all of our time with our parents. Spent a lot of time individually with other guests, especially at the bar at night and on excursions. There were also a couple of other gay couples onboard. So maybe you just had bad luck?
Viking is more of a middle/upper middle class brand that doesn't attract the same traveler as Tauck. Tauck is more of an old money/ live and let live type of clientele.
While I got this information directly from the V.Ships Leisure website, I understand it is no longer the case. In that regard I received the following clarification from Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection: "V Ships was involved early in RCYC operations, but no longer. Today they do provide some preliminary recruitment services. They do not hire or manage RCYC crew onboard. Hotel and F&B services, as well as Marine operations are managed by RCYC under Rachel Moosa's leadership as Chief People Officer and Jens Gorka as Chief Shipboard Operations Officer Whiel some cruise lines outsource operations to VShips, that is not the case with RCYC."
If you can swim, why would it be at all dangerous to fall or jump into the ocean from right above the water level when a ship is parked in calm seas? That's the point, you can swim when it's calm. Too bad in my view they don't let you swim outside the ring! That's the whole idea of a ship like this -- it's like a giant yacht of your own.