Inside new Ritz-Carlton Yacht so luxe it has a Warhol & floating lounge

If you thought cruise ships couldn’t get any more luxurious, think again. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has just unveiled more jaw-dropping details about Luminara, the third vessel in its ultra-luxe fleet – and it’s basically a floating six-star resort with serious style credentials.

Recently christened in Barcelona by actress Simone Ashley [below] of Bridgerton fame, Luminara was blessed with good fortune in a traditional champagne-breaking ceremony. Ashley, the ship’s godmother, toasted to the yacht’s spirit of connection and exploration before the vessel officially set sail.

Launching on July 3, 2025, the Luminara Ritz-Carlton Yacht is the latest evolution in high-end cruising, following sister ships Evrima and Ilma. Luminara marks a new chapter for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, promising next-level service, bold itineraries and standout design. This isn’t just a yacht, it’s a floating gallery-meets-gourmet escape with a side of sea breeze.

Here’s what to expect aboard the Luminara Ritz-Carlton Yacht.

What’s onboard the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Luminara?

At 794 feet (242m) long, Luminara carries just 452 guests in 226 ocean-view suites, all with private terraces. The vibe is luxurious but soothing: walnut wood, Arabescato Corchia marble, soft blues and greys to echo the ocean.

Expect curved architecture, custom Italian furnishings and lighting so well designed it feels like an art installation. Suites feature tactile touches – smoked glass, Emporada marble, dark oak, and designer pieces by Minotti, Molteni, Poltrona Frau and more.

– READ MORE: Inside opulent sister Riz-Carlton yacht Ilma –

Ritz-Carlton Yacht dining

Dining on Luminara Yacht Ritz-Carlton is just as curated as the art. There are five restaurants and seven bars, including menus from Michelin-starred chefs.

• Seta su Luminara, by Fabio Trabocchi, serves an eight-course tasting menu inspired by Venice’s spice trade

• Beach House, by Michael Mina, delivers bold Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours

• Haesu Bit focuses on pan-Asian fusion from Japan to Vietnam

• Azur highlights regional ingredients from wherever you’re sailing

• Mistral offers the grilled, fresh-caught magic of coastal dining

Cocktail lovers can head to the new Art Bar, with Cycladic-style sculptures and panoramic views for sipping a Negroni while watching the sun melt into the Med.

– READ MORE: Full list of new cruise ships setting sail in 2025 –

What to do on Luminara Ritz-Carlton Yacht

Luminara art museum

Yes, there’s a Warhol onboard. And a Hockney. And a Matisse. Luminara features 731 artworks, with around 65 percent commissioned just for the yacht. The art celebrates light, heritage and the spirit of discovery, with nods to Maltese culture, including the Hawk moth and knights’ armour.

You’ll find works by Matisse, Hockney, Paul Klee, Warhol and Calder, with a showstopping seven-storey light sculpture suspended in the ship’s central staircase.

Soak, spa, sea

A standout feature on Luminara is the floating sea lounge platform. Docked at the yacht’s Marina, it has a central sea pool so guests can swim directly in the ocean – plus access to toys like electric foil boards, Seabobs and paddleboards.

Up on Deck 10, you’ll find a pool and two jacuzzis with sprawling sea views. The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers 11 treatment rooms and therapies by ESPA, 111SKIN and Pisterzi. There’s a bamboo massage and a detox poultice ritual you’ll probably book more than once. Add a chic marina terrace and sun-drenched lounges, and relaxation comes easily.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection shopping

In partnership with Starboard Luxury, Luminara’s shops include first-at-sea boutiques for Cartier, IWC and Piaget, plus vintage Hermès Birkins, La DoubleJ, Stella McCartney, Lululemon, and rare pieces by Sydney Evan and Lauren Rubinski.

Fashion and accessories will shift seasonally to reflect the ship’s global journeys – especially as it heads to Asia-Pacific.

– READ MORE: We tried an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise – what happened –

Luminara Yacht Ritz-Carlton itineraries: Asia and Alaska

After its maiden voyage from Monte Carlo to Rome, Luminara Ritz-Carlton Yacht will sail through Africa, the Indian Ocean and into Asia-Pacific from December 2025, followed by Alaska and Canada in summer 2026.

Winter 2026–2027 brings an expanded season with 19 new voyages across Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam, calling at new ports like Cebu, Semarang and Miyazaki.

Highlights include:

• January 3, 2027 | 13-Night Hong Kong to Bali: Island-hop the Philippines and snorkel the Gili Islands

• January 16, 2027 | 5-Night Bali round trip: Sunset soirée in Flores and dragon-spotting in Komodo

• Plus new sailings in Tahiti and Hawaii aboard sister ship Evrima

Ritz Carlton Yacht Sotheby’s cruise

For art collectors, Luminara is also hosting a once-in-a-lifetime Sotheby’s voyage. The Masterpieces & the Mediterranean sailing from Rome to Barcelona (October 17–24, 2025) offers:

• A stay in the Owner’s Suite
• Private art tours in Florence and Saint-Tropez
• A sommelier-led tasting in the Wine Vault
• Exclusive Sotheby’s-curated experiences aboard and ashore

– READ MORE: Inside our trip on the newest ship from lux brand Silversea –

Luxury cruise and hotel holidays with Luminara

If you can’t choose between a five-star hotel and a superyacht, travel agency Mundy Cruising now offers hybrid Sea & Shore packages with Luminara.

Mundy Cruising’s exclusive Sea & Shore Collection brings together five ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton packages combining stays at the brand’s prestigious hotels with voyages aboard Luminara.

Each itinerary brings together the comfort of all-terrace suite cruising with indulgent land-based experiences in top destinations. Options include a safari adventure in Kenya at The Ritz-Carlton, Maasai Mara Safari Camp with game drives and butler service, followed by a cruise through South Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius; or a springtime sailing through Japan’s cherry blossom highlights paired with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo.

Other combinations range from a Mediterranean sailing out of Barcelona with two nights at the seafront Hotel Arts, to an Asian escape with stays at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore and The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. There’s also a festive Caribbean itinerary including time at three stylish Ritz-Carlton properties across Miami and Puerto Rico. Flights, transfers and premium accommodations are all included. Prices start from £7,345 per person.

– READ MORE: Did you know the Orient Express now has a yacht too? –