You can always tell when The Ritz-Carlton is about to make waves—and this time, it’s not just metaphorical. Their third superyacht, Luminara, is gearing up to slip her moorings and redefine what luxury at sea looks, feels, tastes—and frankly—smells like.
Launching July 3, 2025, from the sparkling shores of Monte Carlo en route to Rome, Luminara isn’t just another floating hotel. No, she’s an art-deco dream with a nautical soul—an elegant nod to the golden age of cruising, reimagined for those who don’t so much holiday as curate experiences.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about shuffleboard and buffet queues. Luminara is about whispered elegance, gloved service, and custom cocktails named after constellations you can see from the bow.
A Yacht That Lives Up to Her Name
Luminara, Latin for “light”, comes with 794 feet of pure poise, accommodating 452 guests across 226 suites. And these aren’t suites in the usual cruise sense—each one comes with its private terrace and interiors polished enough to make a Bentley blush.
The look? Think walnut timber, Arabescato Corchia marble, and just enough smoked glass and bronze to make James Bond feel underdressed. The suites, lit with a kind of quiet reverence by lighting legends DPA, blend dark oak, deep ocean hues and that ineffable scent of money well spent.
Even the layout whispers class—curved architecture flows from inside to out like the swell of a Chopin nocturne. Designed by Canada’s Chapi Design and Britain’s AD Associates, every inch of the yacht is a masterstroke of taste and restraint. Meanwhile, Finnish studio Aivan shaped the yacht’s sleek exterior, drawing inspiration from private yachts of yesteryear—back when shipbuilding was considered an art form, not just an engineering problem.
Culinary Ambition, Plate by Plate
If you’ve ever longed for duck confit while sailing past Dubrovnik, Luminara hears you: five restaurants, two Michelin-starred chefs, and zero compromise.
Fabio Trabocchi’s Seta su Luminara offers an eight-course Venetian tasting menu, accompanied by a narrative of Venetian spice trails that will have you researching nutmeg’s 13th-century origins between bites.
Meanwhile, Michael Mina’s Beach House brings sun-drenched Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours to life, marrying Egyptian heritage with seaside bravado. Add in Azur for seasonal wonders, Haesu Bit for pan-Asian fireworks, and Mistral for grilled seafood you’d cross an ocean for.
Then there’s the Art Bar—equal parts gallery, cocktail lounge, and intellectual salon, where you’re encouraged to sip a negroni while pondering Cycladic sculptures and Warhol winks.
A Floating Gallery
Luxury here isn’t limited to thread counts. Luminara carries a curated art collection that rivals boutique museums, with 731 works onboard—65% of which were commissioned exclusively for the yacht.
The vibe? Think Malta’s lighthouses, armour, moths (yes, moths), and a light sculpture suspended across seven storeys that makes descending the stairs feel like stepping into a cathedral.
Expect to rub elbows with Matisse, Klee, Calder, Richter, and the ghost of Warhol—all while the sea glides past your terrace.
Spa Days and Sea Dips
The Ritz-Carlton Spa onboard offers 11 treatment rooms and therapies inspired by its Asian itineraries. And not your run-of-the-mill spa menu either—how about an Awakening Bamboo Massage or Detoxifying Wellness Poultice Treatment that smells like lemongrass and luxury?
Deck 10 is where you’ll find the main pool flanked by jacuzzis, though the real gem is the Marina Beach platform. It’s essentially a sun-drenched playground for adults: kayak, paddleboard, electric foil board, or leap into the drink with abandon. You’re not in Kansas anymore.
Retail, Refined
Gone are the days when duty-free meant cigarettes and chocolate. Luminara welcomes Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and Piaget to its onboard retail promenade. Ever tried on a $45,000 watch in your bathrobe? Now’s your chance.
Boutiques carry resort wear and accessories by Johanna Ortiz, La DoubleJ, and Orlebar Brown—plus sustainable handbags by Stella McCartney, embroidered Olympia Le-Tans, and vintage Hermès Birkins that could make auctioneers weep.
Charting New Waters
After her Mediterranean debut, Luminara will roam further afield—from Africa to Asia-Pacific and Alaska by 2026. That means iconic cities like Bangkok, Osaka, and Ha Long Bay, alongside uncharted gems best discovered with a flute of something French in hand.
It’s not just a cruise. It’s a curated journey of space, taste, and place—at sea.
Bookings are now open. For complete itineraries and booking details, visit ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com.
By My Thanh Pham
