Ritz-Carlton’s Showpiece Superyacht ‘Ilma’ Takes Majestic First Plunge in France, Ushering a New Wave of Ultra-Luxury Cruising.
The world of luxury maritime exploration heralds a new champion today, as the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s second jewel, the ‘Ilma’, proudly touched the waters at the iconic Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. This momentous event denotes a stellar advancement in the vessel’s journey, slated to grace the high seas with its debut in 2024.
The float-out ceremony was nothing short of a regal maritime festival, welcoming dignitaries from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, including the influential Jim Murren and Ernesto Fara. Laurent Castaing and Arnaud Le Joncour also represented the shipyard, solidifying the collaborative spirit driving this monumental project.
In an intricate dance of engineering and maritime expertise, the dry dock cradled ‘Ilma’ before being flooded overnight. The vessel now sails to its outfitting berth, awaiting further refinements before its sea trials next spring.
Reflecting on the occasion, Jim Murren enthused, “The Ilma is not just a yacht; it’s a symbol of the impeccable craftsmanship and a beacon of ultra-luxury. We’re on the cusp of setting a new benchmark, and our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique is testament to this vision.”
With its name resonating with the Maltese essence of ‘water’, ‘Ilma’ stretches to a remarkable 790 feet. Housing 224 opulent suites, it pledges to offer guests an intimate setting, even with its capacity to host 448 passengers. This vessel promises to redefine luxury cruising, emphasizing vast public spaces and a peerless space-to-guest ratio.
From a design standpoint, ‘Ilma’ stands tall as a symbol of elegance. While Aivan, the Helsinki-based design maestro, sculpted its exterior, the interior is a symphony composed by the reputed AD Associates of London and the illumination genius DPA.
Arnaud Le Joncour, echoing the spirit of innovation, remarked, “Ilma is a testament to our relentless pursuit of perfection. As she progresses to her next phase, we’re fueled by the commitment to deliver an unparalleled experience to the discerning luxury travelers of today.”
For those with a penchant for unmatched luxury at sea, ‘Ilma’ and its sibling ‘Evrima’ can be reserved or chartered. Dive into a world of unparalleled opulence here or engage with your Professional Travel Manager.
Ilma At A Glance:
- Birthplace: Saint-Nazaire, France (2024)
- Dimensions: 790 Feet (241 Meters)
- Total Tonnage: 46,750 GT
- Decks: 11
- Suites: 224
- Guest Capacity: 448
- Crew: 374
- Crew-Guest Ratio: 1:1.2
- Guest-Space Ratio: 1:104.3
- Voyages: Mediterranean & Caribbean
Written by: Bridget Gomez