By
Alice Chambers |
Chantiers de l’Atlantique marked the start of construction for Ilma, the second of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ships, with a keel-laying ceremony at its yard in Saint-Nazaire, France, on 22 March 2023.
Ilma is scheduled to debut in 2024 and will feature the highest space and staff-to-guest ratios in the luxury cruise sector. Its onboard experience will reflect The Ritz-Carlton brand’s renowned service.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this important milestone and to partner with Chantiers de l’Atlantique on the construction of Ilma,” said Douglas Prothero, CEO at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “As we expand our fleet, we look forward to continuing to create unique experiences that celebrate the yachting lifestyle and are transforming the luxury cruising category.”
The LNG-powered vessel will be 790 feet long and host 456 passengers in 228 suites.
“Chantiers de l’Atlantique is very proud of its partnership with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” said Arnaud Le Joncour, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Through this ceremony, we wish the best to Ilma during construction with the assurance that the vessel’s elegant design, quality materials and environmental performance will position Ilma as a legendary symbol in a new era of luxury cruising.”
Chantiers de l’Atlantique will also build the line’s third ship Luminara, which will be delivered in 2025. Turnkey provider Almaco will equip the galley areas onboard Ilma and Luminara while ABB will provide the electric propulsion systems and remote support.