Cruising is a polarizing vacation.
Some people love it; others hate it with commendable passion.
But everyone likes luxury, ocean-view suites and top-notch food.
So when you can find such things aboard a floating vessel that's more yacht than massive cruise ship, and one that's carrying some serious hotel bonafides, it's worth taking notice.
Ilma is the newly launched superyacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It measures 790 feet and sports just 224 suites, all with private terraces providing direct access to the sea.
It's stopping at ports of call in coveted destinations across the world, including iconic yachting playgrounds in the Mediterranean, the white sand beaches of the Caribbean, and historic cities of Northern Europe.
Onboard, you’ll find a max of 448 guests and one of the highest space ratios at sea. For even more space, book one of the larger upper category suites, which measure more than 1,000 square feet.
The ship has fine dining venues, including restaurants conceptualized by Michelin-starred chefs. Seta su Ilma by Chef Fabio Trabocchi is a modern Italian fine-dining restaurant, and The Beach House is an indoor/outdoor restaurant offering 180-degree views of the sea and Pan-Latin cuisine developed in collaboration with chef Michael Mina. Naturally, there’s also plenty of terrace space, with a pool, pool bar and live entertainment.
Ilma embarked on its maiden voyage on September 2. Plenty more journeys are coming up, in case you enjoy feeling the fresh sea breeze on your face while sipping champagne on your balcony.
On September 26, Ilma takes off on a 12-night voyage from Athens to Rome, stopping in Crete, Mykonos, Sicily and more. On October 22, you can set sail from Barcelona to Lisbon, with stops in Palma de Mallorca and Tangier.
Other itineraries feature trips in the Caribbean, where you can see St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique. Take a wine-soaked trip from Lisbon to Portsmouth, England, that stops in Porto and Bordeaux. Or book the voyage from Amsterdam to Copenhagen that swings through Oslo and Gothenburg, Sweden.
You've got options, and none of them are the cookie-cutter cruises you'll find on the massive, name-brand ships hosting spring breakers and conga lines.
