By
Rebecca Gibson |
Hijos De J. Barreras has started interior outfitting work on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first-ever luxury cruise yacht after floating her out of its building dock in Vigo, Spain on 12 October.
The 24,000gt vessel was moved from her building dock to Barreras’s outfitting area during a traditional float-out ceremony, which included a ship blessing from a local bishop. The event was attended by Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; José García Costas, chairman of Barreras; Abel Caballero, Mayor of Vigo; Timothy Grisius from The Ritz-Carlton’s parent company Marriott International; Francisco Conde, Regional Minister of Economy and Industry in Galicia; and other invited guests.
Interior outfitting works are expected to take place for around one year, enabling Barreras to conduct sea trials and deliver the yacht to Ritz-Carlton ahead of her November 2019 debut.
Designed to reflect a boutique yacht, the 298-guest vessel has interiors and exteriors created by Tillberg Design of Sweden. The yacht will feature all-balcony suites, five dining venues, a lounge and wine bar, a library and café named the Living Room, a wellness centre, an infinity-style pool at the aft, three pools and two whirlpools, a top-deck outdoor space that will transform into a nightclub, and a marina-style platform that will host open-air events and give passengers direct access to the water. In addition, there will be several venues with indoor and outdoor spaces, including a fitness centre, a signature Ritz-Carlton spa and a solarium. Guests will also benefit from all-inclusive drinks, onboard gratuities and wi-fi access, as well as around-the-clock in-suite dining.
“With her sleek and elegant exterior, the Ritz-Carlton yacht is designed to turn heads will look like no other ship in port,” said Tillberg Design of Sweden in a press release announcing the float out ceremony. “Tillberg Design of Sweden is very proud and happy for this great and inspiring collaboration with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Barreras shipyard in Vigo.”
When the first vessel debuts, she will offer seven-day itineraries that include calls at four ports, and 10-day voyages that will take guests to six or seven ports. Initially, the yacht will be based in the Southern Caribbean and call at small islands such as Mustique or Tobago Cays.
From April to June 2020, the ship will homeport in the Mediterranean before repositioning to Northern Europe for July to September, Canada and New England for September and October and the Caribbean for November and December.