By
Alex Smith |
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has taken delivery of its second luxury superyacht, Ilma, in a handover ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The ceremony included several maritime traditions, including the changing of flags onboard the yacht and a celebratory toast on top of the pool deck. The event was attended by leaders from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, including Jim Murren, executive chairman and CEO, and Ernesto Fara, president and CEO. Captain Steve MacBeath and over 350 of the yacht’s crew were also in attendance, ready for a series of preparation voyages before Ilma’s maiden voyage from Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 2 September 2024.
“Today marks the culmination of a shared vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence, a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of all those involved,” said Murren. “We are deeply grateful to the exceptional teams here at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, whose hard work and passion have brought this vision to life.”
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Jim Murren of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (centre left) and Laurent Castaing of Chantiers de l’Atlantique (centre right)
Also present were representatives of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, including Laurent Castaing, general manager, and Arnaud Le Joncour, senior vice president of sales and marketing and project director.
“Ilma represents a collaboration of two likeminded organizations committed to excellence, offering the best in both hospitality and shipbuilding,” said Le Joncour. “The design and construction of Ilma has been a distinctive project for Chantiers de l’Atlantique that has elevated the highest luxury standards in terms of guest experience, technical innovation, and craftsmanship. We are incredibly proud to deliver an ultra luxury cruise product that achieves both elegance and performance.”
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Ilma will sail its maiden voyage from Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 2 September 2024
Ilma, named after the Maltese word for “water,” is 241 metres long and can accommodate up to 448 guests in its 224 suites. It features interiors designed by London-based firm AD Associates and lighting designer DPA, while exteriors were created by Helsinki-based design firm Aivan. The ship includes five restaurants, seven bars, a wine vault, The Ritz-Carlton Spa and an expanded Marina with a mezzanine feature, along with three distinct fitness spaces.
The superyacht is powered by four dual-fuel engines using LNG as its main fuel source. Ilma is additionally equipped with an advanced water treatment system and energy efficiency technologies.