The line will open up its inaugural Caribbean season with a five-night, round-trip sailing from Fort Lauderdale on February 1, 2020, a 10-night Fort Lauderdale to Barbados sailing (February 5); a seven-night Barbados to Cartagena sailing (February 15) and a seven-night Cartagena to Barbados sailing (February 22). During the rest of the season, the line will journey to St. Lucia, San Juan, St. Maarten, Cozumel, and more.
Doug Prothro, chief executive officer of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection said he sees growth potential of up to six yachts. The vessels have been designed to transit the canals that connect the St. Lawrence into the Great Lakes, and he expects in the future itineraries will include places such as Chicago and the various resort areas of the lakes.
Angela Composto, vice president of sales and marketing, said the line plans to announce the name of its first yacht at ILTM in Cannes in December.
While members of Marriott and Ritz-Carlton loyalty programmes are not expected to be able to redeem points for free cruises, it is anticipated they will be able to use points for spa treatments, shore excursions and dining at signature restaurant Aqua, a sister of Sven Elverfeld’s 3-star Michelin restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg. Excursions, spa treatments and the specialty restaurant are not included in the cruise fare.
Prothro said as a result of the partnership with Elverfeld, the top chef is recruiting other Michelin star chefs he knows to provide pop-up experiences for cruise guests when the ships visit ports where their restaurants are located. The CEO said in addition to luring Ritz-Carlton enthusiasts onto the high seas, research shows the line will attract a higher than usual proportion of first-time cruisers.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75603-ritz-carlton-yacht-inaugural-itineraries-include-st-maarten
