A cousin rather than a sister to the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's first yacht Evrima, Ilma (meaning 'water' in Maltese) has arrived in the Mediterranean for her maiden voyages, from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St Nazaire, France, where the yacht was built.
Carrying 448 guests in 224 spacious suites, she offers more space per guest than any other ship, and this translates into roomy accommodation, multiple dining options and a beautiful airy feel.
We took a short cruise to St Tropez, and anchored in the bay surrounded by other (smaller) billionaire yachts. With everyone ashore, we had the Beach House deck area to ourselves: comfortable loungers surround the infinity pool, with plenty of shade, and additional shaded outdoor dining areas.
The following day at sea, at an amazing Ibiza-style Beach House party, the area was transformed with live music, a DJ, and lots of dancing (and if this doesn't sound like your style, extensive lounging space around the Main Pool and Pool Bar on deck 10 gives you an option to be away from the noisy fun!).
Multiple dining options mean that you can change the mood every evening. We loved the airy Mistral at the top of the ship, with a compact and healthy Mediterranean-style menu; an open kitchen meant you could watch the dishes being cooked to order, or gaze out to sea, and sliding walls ensured that if the weather was clement the space could transform into an indoor/outdoor dining space.
Latin-inspired cuisine is served in the Beach House, whilst on deck 4 an Asian fusion restaurant, Memori, serves up a range of delicacies including sushi and sashimi, some excellent fish options and a beef rice with bone marrow - not to mention an unforgettable signature cocktail, complete with smoke!
Down on deck 3, the extensive Tides restaurant has an extensive menu inspired by a Michelin-starred chef, and here too is the Seta Su Ilma, an Italian-style, 10-course tasting menu, beautifully presented and balanced, at a $260 per head supplement, with optional wine flight additional. There is a private dining room here too, perfect for a special occasion.
Passing through this dining area, you emerge on the Marina Terrace, leading to the marina itself (more on that later). This was the venue for a cabaret-style entertainment one evening, incorporating plenty of seating but also space for dancing, with an extendable, fold-out deck on either side. Lights directed down into the ocean meant that from this platform you could watch the fish seething around the ship, a great alternative to the cabaret!
The Living Room on deck 5 was used for a celebratory entertainment one evening with music and dancing late into the night. During the day and on other evenings, it was a far more peaceful venue, and a coffee bar in the corner also offered a selection of light snacks.
A very lavish boutique enticed you in with beautiful jewellery and apparel, where comfortable seating and free flowing champagned transformed it into a participatory venue in its own right.
A Ritz Kids lounge on deck 4 highlights the fact that this product is great for the younger hotel crowd travelling en famille, for whom the adjoining suites are a perfect choice.
The fitness centre and spa blew me away: huge gym, plenty of equipment, great exercise rooms and classes, then extensive grooming areas and a beautifully peaceful spa featuring ESPA products, and equipped with sauna and steam room, and an indoor outdoor relaxation room.
At anchor, an amazing extensive marina floats from the back of the ship, giving you direct access to the ocean for kayaking and paddleboarding, a netted pool, and extensive lounging areas. Access to the marina can be pre-booked, and often there will be space available if you just roll up: obviously safety is paramount, so the team here will be totally focussed on ensuring the area doesn't get overcrowded.
Whilst we were on board, there was a party each night, with lots of colour themes which worked beautifully. On a standard itinerary, there will be a variety of local entertainment, on board band, a mixture of musical styles including jazz, and some themed nights such as the En Blanc party and a colourful Havana-style evening.
To finish off, I must mention the crew - or as Ritz Carlton like to say, their 'Ladies and Gentlemen'. Truly international, this dedicated team are totally focussed on the guests, with lots of name recognition and little touches, such as escorting you if you request directions. Your Suite Ambassador acts as butler, learning your preferences and taking care of every detail.
Ilma sails in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, on voyages ranging from four to eleven nights duration (and combinations are of course possible). Fares start from just over £1,000 per person per day. Her sister Luminara comes into service next year (2025) and following an inaugural summer in the Mediterranean, will reposition to Asia, with home ports of Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo from December through to May, before moving to Alaska for summer 2026.
