DEPARTURES TRAVEL SHIP
DEPARTURES TRAVEL SHIP TALK 18 Hotels Take to the Sea A recherché ensemble conceived and created by luxury hotel corporations is on the horizon. THE NEXT FEW years will see fanfare inaugurations for a medley of ships – among them exciting projects by hospitality giants. The vision for these floating halcyons emanates from the canon of peerless brands including Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Aman, so there’s little doubt the results will be à la mode. It was worth the wait to see the first iteration of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s trio take to the ocean last October (ritzcarltonyachtcollection. com). The 298-guest Evrima – named for the Greek word “discovery” – had been delayed by three years. The project prevailed, and cruising’s most critical pundits have bestowed their kudos. The yacht has been thoughtfully designed to fuse the spacious, residential vibe of Ritz- Carlton hotels with the innovative design of a stylish yacht. Six dining options include a culinary experience Inside a Grand Suite aboard Evrima curated by three-Michelin-star chef Sven Elverfield of The Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany. Two slightly larger scions, Ilma and Luminara, are scheduled to be unveiled in 2024 and 2025. Another brand venturing into the realm of maritime glam is Four Seasons (fourseasons.com). Helmed by cruise-industry veteran Larry Pimentel, the ethos of Four Seasons Yachts will remain loyal to the company’s renowned criteria for compelling quality and intuitive service. The first of three plush, 190-guest yachts with residentialstyle suite accommodation is slated to cast off in late 2025 and will take its design cues from the Christina O, the yacht formerly owned by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. The yacht will be topped off with a four-level “Funnel Suite” with a private spa and pool. Regarded as one of the world’s most intuitive and pioneering resort, hotel and residence brands, Aman (aman. com) has set the genteel cruising world abuzz with “Project Sama”. This joint venture with Cruise Saudi is set to become a reality in 2026. Aboard this paradigm of privacy and grace, guests will be cosseted in 50 palatial suites created by world-renowned yacht designers SINOT. The vessel will showcase Aman’s alchemy of Eastern heritage and stellar service. There will be two helipads; a spa complete with a Japanese garden, plus an expansive beach club which will offer guests direct access to the water lapping the stern of this achingly cool yacht. A bird’s-eye rendering of Evrima FROM TOP: FRANCISCO MARTINEZ, © RITZ CARLTON YACHT COLLECTION
© OCEANIA CRUISES Cruising’s Next Wave This year, an elite constellation of sleekly designed vessels is set to deliver a supercharged experience like nothing else. The generous terrace of a Vista Suite aboard Oceania’s new vessel, Vista OCCASIONALLY, IN the cruising cosmos, a cadre of chichi new ships goes beyond accepted notions of luxury. Case in point: the Silver Nova (silversea.com), which is set to debut this August, will not only come with ample bragging rights in the ultraluxe stakes but is also set to put the “nova” in innovation. This will be the world’s first low-emissions cruise ship with advanced hybrid technology that utilises fuel cells, achieving zero local emissions while in port. The 728-guest vessel will also offer new echelons of comfort and boast the highest space-to-guest ratio in the fleet – an undisputed yardstick of excellence. Within the novel asymmetrical structure and horizontal layout, 364 spacious suites across 13 categories will feature a new generation of premium accommodation at the stern of the ship. Signature restaurants include La Terrazza, Atlantide, S.A.L.T. Kitchen, La Dame, Silver Note and Kaiseki, while the Marquee will be the locale of two outdoor dining options: Spaccanapoli and The Grill. Oceania Cruises is also gearing up to showcase its much-anticipated 1,200-guest Vista (oceaniacruises. com) in May. Gourmands will be in their element at 12 delectable venues ranging from haute to hip, including the imposing Grand Dining Room as well as Ember – specialising in time-honoured American classics – while the focus is on light cuisine and superfoods at Aquamar Kitchen. There’s also the line’s signature cookery school. Other highlights include eight bars and lounges, not to mention the Aquamar Spa with a dedicated terrace. Inspired by organic elements of land and sea, a crystal-encrusted grand staircase in the atrium creates a soaring pillar of light. Spacious standard staterooms comprise more than 27 square metres; plus there are new Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms for solo travellers. Noteworthy are the palatial Owner’s Suites styled exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home. At the confluence of cuttingedge design and low-impact technology, the spiffy Emerald Sakara (emeraldcruises.com) conveys just 100 guests. Glistening white with raked decks rising from a svelte hull, it cuts a perfect silhouette, and looks like the latest trophy of a tech billionaire. With a palette of decorous greys and taupes, cabins have the cachet of chic hotel rooms. Leather seating in the marble-accented Amici Bar & Lounge, plus Missoni Home robes for use at the infinity pool and Jacuzzi on the Sky Deck, invoke yachting ritz. When anchored off bijou ports, a floating marina complete with 19 DEPARTURES
