The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection brings the legendary hospitality of The Ritz-Carlton to the world of luxury yachting, creating a new expression of refined travel at sea. Combining the intimacy of a private yacht with the exceptional service, personalized experiences, and attention to detail synonymous with the brand, the collection offers guests a seamless journey through some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.

With a philosophy centered on freedom, exploration, and understated luxury, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection represents a new era of ocean travel—where every destination becomes an opportunity for connection, discovery, and extraordinary experiences.

Michelle Santoro, CEO of The Luxury Network Australia, shares her exclusive experience

aboard Ilma, exploring the Greek Islands with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection—where

refined service, exceptional dining, and effortless luxury redefine the art of travel.

I boarded a five-night Greek Islands voyage on Ilma at the Port of Piraeus, Athens.

The embarkation process was quick and seamless, with Ritz-Carlton representatives escorting me through every step, including check-in, security and baggage handling. I was onboard within 15 minutes.

The Suite

Conveniently located on Deck 5, my suite had every amenity I could possibly need, along with a dedicated Suite Ambassador. She explained how everything worked, arranged my preferred minibar beverages, and made all of my dinner reservations.

The suite was beautifully appointed and included thoughtful touches throughout. It was serviced twice daily, including evening turndown service. Each night, a guide detailing the following day’s activities was left on the bed, making it easy to plan ahead.

The bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in—and I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels.

A particular highlight was the extra-large private terrace, complete with a sun lounge and comfortable outdoor seating.

The Yacht

Ilma is superbly stylish, spacious and never felt crowded. With a staff-to-guest ratio that is almost one-to-one, there was always someone available to answer questions, provide directions or take an order. The service was impeccable, and no request ever seemed too difficult.  No wonder it has been awarded a Forbes five star rating.

Whether relaxing by one of the pools or enjoying the expansive outdoor decks, there was always plenty of space. Sun lounges were plentiful, as were fresh towels, sunscreen, iced water and attentive food and beverage service wherever you chose to spend your day.

Evening entertainment in the Living Room lounge was sophisticated and perfectly suited to the clientele, who were generally between 40 and 55 years of age.

The yacht traveled overnight, and the sailing was so smooth that it was often difficult to believe we were moving at all. The only reminder was looking out the window or sitting on deck beneath the stars.

It’s impossible to describe everything the yacht offers; perhaps it’s easier to say that there was simply nothing lacking.

Dining

During the voyage on Ilma we dined at Memori, Tides, Mistral and The Beach House. Each restaurant offered a unique experience, with multiple options catering to all tastes.

One detail that particularly impressed me was that each waiter asked about food allergies and dietary requirements before taking our order—another example of the pre-emptive service that defines the experience.

Can’t decide what to order? They’ll happily advise you of their ‘signature dishes’ and bring a selection to enjoy.  My favorite was The Ritz-Carlton Sweet Caviar.

The Living Room offers casual dining throughout the day, with sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and a rotating selection of ice cream and sorbet available to enjoy or take away.

Ilma also offers elevated dining options including Dining Privé and Seta Su, created by Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi.

Destinations

Our itinerary included three Greek islands and Bodrum, Turkey, with each destination offering something different.

Amorgos, the easternmost island of the Cyclades, is rugged, untouched and surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters. It is also famous as the filming location for The Big Blue.

Rhodes is rich in medieval architecture, with countless restaurants, cafés and shops to explore.

Bodrum, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, combines fascinating historical sites with excellent shopping and a stunning waterfront.

Our final stop was Milos, a volcanic Greek island renowned for its dramatic coastline, pristine beaches and colourful cliffs. It is also the original home of the Venus de Milo.  We didn’t spend a lot of time on Milos as we were looking forward to experiencing the Marina Beach Platform, which is a like a floating beach club on the water with lounge chairs a central pool, watersports and toys.  It was great to experience the Aegean Sea whilst anchored off the Island.

Whether docked in port or anchored offshore, the itinerary was completely flexible. Join one of the selections of onshore tours or visit at your leisure with transport options running all day.  There was no need to get up early or wait all day.

Dedicated staff managed the tender and shuttle services, greeting guests with cold drinks and shaded waiting areas—a thoughtful touch that made every arrival and departure comfortable.

The Highlight

After several hectic months leading up to this journey, I quickly settled into the quiet luxury that defines The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

The freedom to do exactly what I wanted, when I wanted, felt like a luxury in itself. Being able to experience multiple islands without worrying about packing and unpacking, flights, ferry schedules or hotel check-ins allowed me to completely relax.

I simply went with the flow, enjoyed restful sleep, explored incredible destinations during the day and returned to spend peaceful afternoons by the pool.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection truly offers an experience unlike the rest.

“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection redefines the meaning of luxury at sea. From the exceptional service and thoughtfully designed spaces to the freedom of exploring remarkable destinations at your own pace, Ilma delivers an experience that feels truly effortless and unforgettable.”

Michelle Santoro, CEO, The Luxury
Network Australia