T+L’s Cruise Ship Review of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Luminara

“I’d rather die than go on a cruise,” my husband declared when I told him about my plan to travel around the Mediterranean Sea by ship. But, just a few months later, there we were, floating in a pool on a yacht off the coast of Rome. It was our third morning aboard the 226-suite Luminara, the newest ship from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and he’d had an epiphany.

“This day is already a 12 out of 10,” said my husband, sipping a mocktail. We’d started the morning with a fresh fruit platter in our suite, followed by Swedish massages at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and a trip to the Pool Bar on Deck 10, where a pop-up shop from the stylish brand Etnia Barcelona had a selection of sunglasses for sale.

His change of heart—and a new pair of sexy “Devil’s Elbow” shades—made clear what I had already figured out: this was no ordinary cruise.

“People want more than just a beach these days,” said Tina Edmundson, president, luxury at Marriott International, which oversees The Ritz-Carlton brand. “They are looking for something that can better them, whether that’s wellness or education—they’re saying, ‘give me choice,’” she explained, when I spoke to her at an outdoor table on Luminara while overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

To be fair to my husband, I also had my apprehensions about traveling by cruise ship. I’m an introvert and had packed six hardcover books for our quick, four-day trip from Barcelona to Rome. But, to my surprise, we started making friends almost as soon as we embarked, finding an instant connection with the many fascinating and well-traveled people who were sharing our adventure.

We certainly could have stayed put in our suite, a sophisticated sanctuary by London-based AD Associates. Warm walnut and striking Arabescato Corchia marble paired with blue, grey, and ocean tones to create a sense of calm. A touch-activated blackout system could instantly transform the sleeping quarters into a perfectly dark, soundproof retreat, leaving the large living room area and balcony available if one of us wanted to read or enjoy the sunshine while the other was asleep. Two roomy walk-in closets could accommodate wardrobes much more extensive than ours; fresh flowers and a huge soaking tub made our suite feel like a Ritz-Carlton.

But we soon ventured forth, discovering cozy conversation areas furnished by Minotti and Giorgetti. The Art Bar, one of several on board, became our preferred gathering place, framed by striking sculptures, each carved from a different Italian stone, where meaningful conversations—about books, about travel—flowed naturally. We walked the corridors, taking in the ship’s 731-piece art collection, which includes works by David Hockney, Paul Klee, and Andy Warhol.

One afternoon, I sat down for tea with Jim Murren, executive chairman and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, who was making his first trip on the new ship. Many of his guests, Murren said, have their own yachts and can pretty much go on any vacation they choose. But on the Luminara, he says, “there’s that element of connection–meeting other guests–that is really nice.”

There’s also the food: Luminara’s culinary program is guided by James Beard Award-winning chefs Michael Mina and Fabio Trabocchi, both of whom run Michelin-starred restaurants. My favorite venue was Seta su Luminara, a Venetian-inspired restaurant with a menu devised by Trabocchi. Mina’s Beach House delivered vibrant Mediterranean flavors, including what another guest told me were “the best lobster rolls I’ve ever eaten—and I’m from Maine.”

My husband, a hardworking scientist, was a man transformed in spite of his skepticism. On our last evening, he sipped Champagne and suggested we order “the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Cake,” a shipboard specialty with Valrhona chocolate, Grand Marnier, and candied orange. What was even sweeter was his post-dinner affirmation about the decision to take the trip: “Amanda, you were right.”

Here’s my complete review of Luminara, the latest ship from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

The Staterooms

There are 226 suites on Luminara, every one of them with a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows. London-based AD Associates created sophisticated sanctuaries by blending warm walnut with Arabescato Corchia marble in palettes of soft blues, warm greys, and ocean tones, accented with bronze. Touch-activated blackout systems can instantly transform sleeping quarters into perfectly dark, soundproof retreats while keeping living and terrace areas bright. Upper-category suites feature bespoke furnishings from Minotti, Giorgetti, and Molteni, while the new Residential Suite showcases dark oak, Emporada marble, and smoked-glass accents. Thankfully, lighting controls are so intuitive I never wondered where a switch was. Spacious walk-in closets, fresh flowers every day, and decadent soaking tubs add to the Ritz-Carlton feel.

Bars and Restaurants

There are five restaurants on this relatively small ship, and two are operated under the auspices of James Beard Award winners. One of my favorites was Seta su Luminara, which features modern Italian cuisine from Fabio Trabocchi, including an eight-course tasting menu inspired by the spice-trading history of Venice that comes at extra cost. Beach House, from Michael Mina, offers vibrant Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors in a relaxed setting. Haesu Bit serves pan-Asian cuisine; additional venues include Azur on Luminara and Mistral. (There is no traditional “dining room” on Luminara.)

There are seven sophisticated bars—most ships this size would have two or three—and my favorite was Art Bar, with its sophisticated vibe. My husband and I were there most nights, chatting with other guests.

Where Luminara Sails

Following its inaugural Mediterranean season in summer 2025, Luminara will be the first Ritz-Carlton yacht to visit the Asia-Pacific region, with voyages to Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, among other destinations. In May 2026, Luminara will add Alaska and Canada itineraries. The yacht’s intimate scale allows access to some ports that larger cruise ships can’t visit, according to Murren, the CEO. “These are much more interesting, educationally and culturally motivated itineraries,” he told T+L.

Shore Excursions

Excursions available on our trip were, according to Ritz-Carlton, representative of what will be on offer in the future: a helicopter tour to Mallorcan vineyards, an olive grove tour and picnic, a cabana at Nikki Beach Club, and a private cooking lesson with a chef.

Also worth mentioning is Luminara’s Marina complex, which gives guests an alternative to off-ship exploration. Instead of heading ashore only to book a beach club or private boat, guests on this ship can often dive right in from the stern: the Marina features a dynamic floating platform with a “pool” that allows guests to swim directly in the ocean and access activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, Seabobs, and electric hydrofoil boards.

Amenities and Entertainment

The panoramic pool area on Deck 10 features the main pool and two whirlpools; the Ritz-Carlton Spa has 11 treatment rooms offering massages and other treatments, with products from ESPA, 111SKIN, and Pisterzi. Fitness facilities include an ocean-view cycling studio and are as extensive as the ones I’ve found on much larger ships.

I enjoyed the guided tours of Luminara’s museum-quality art: the collection on board consists of 731 pieces, with 65 percent of them commissioned specifically for the vessel.

Luxury retail is another diversion, with brands including Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and Piaget represented, as well as a first-at-sea Sydney Evan men’s jewelry collection.

Also on the daily agenda are things like chef-led cooking demonstrations,  classical and jazz music, discussions led by subject-matter experts, and evening soirees that made me feel as if I’d stepped into a celebrity’s Instagram story.

Family-friendly Offerings

Luminara welcomes children over six months of age on board. For voyages that have three or more consecutive days at sea, children must be at least one year of age as of the sailing date. During my sailing, the Ritz Kids program was not yet up and running, though I did peek into a spacious room set aside for the program, which is designed for children aged 6 to 12.

Accessibility

Luminara offers limited accessibility features for guests with disabilities. Specifically, there are five ADA-compliant cabins, all in the Terrace Suite category. These suites (635, 717, 805, 840, and 905) are designed with wider doorways, turning spaces, and bathrooms featuring roll-in showers, fold-down shower benches, and grab bars, among other amenities. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection strongly recommends that guests who use wheelchairs travel with a companion who can provide assistance. Additionally, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection asks guests needing special assistance, including those who use supplemental oxygen or have a hearing impairment, to contact the company ahead of time to make proper accommodations.