Ilma, which means “water” in Maltese, is the second of three ships in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Carrying 448 passengers and 374 crew, the 10-deck ship is significantly larger than its predecessor, Evrima, and has more of the popular Owner’s suites.
The ship spends winter in the Caribbean before moving to the yachtie ports of the Mediterranean in summer. In April and October, Ilma will cross the Atlantic between Lisbon and Miami, ahead of 2027, when it will also sail in Northern Europe.
Overall score 8/10
Style and Character 9/10
If you were to see the elegant, tapered bow and raked decks of this navy and white ship from a distance, you’d probably wonder which actor or tech mogul was on board. Up close, you’d see the name of the hotel brand, The Ritz-Carlton.
As you’d expect, there are plenty of luxe hotel touches on board. Ambrosial scents waft through public areas, artfully arranged flowers bring elegance and a lived-in feel, and guests can peruse the jewellery collections at the first Bulgari at sea. Ilma’s engaging art collection includes original poster art by Picasso, a turtle by Andy Warhol and a swimming-pool scene by David Hockney. A spectacular koi carp tapestry by Irene Van Vlier hangs in the Asian restaurant Memori.
My favourite place was the Beach House, where tables spill onto the pool terrace and woven wicker and soft leather seating is complemented by pale green walls, sandy neutrals and vibrant flashes of magenta. Décor here wouldn’t look out of place in Tulum or Byron Bay.
Days felt unhurried, with plenty of poolside chilling and lingering at mealtimes.
Cabins 9/10
All of the 224 suites have balconies and a lounge area. It’s worth upgrading from a Terrace suite to a next-level Signature suite for the generously sized lounge, small dining table, bathtub and sliding doors to the bedroom. The balcony was the largest I’ve seen in a lower-category room.
The hotel aesthetic is evident in the luxurious, restful décor, attention to detail and beautifully finished bathrooms, complete with Diptyque toiletries. Guests can slip into Frette robes and sheets and book a massage through the butler. The eight Owner’s suites featuring wrap-around balconies are in demand.
Food and Drink 7/10
Ilma has five restaurants, six bars and a private dining room – not bad for a small ship. I visited the humidor and wine cellar with a connoisseur who nodded approvingly at a Château Latour 2015, a Dominio de Pingus, a Miraval and a Toro.
Favourites at the Beach House included a spicily dressed, palate-punching snapper ceviche, moreish black-truffle empanadas and a pollo dish with lemon-Peruvian potatoes, queso fresco (cheese) and mint. I returned to the Asian-inspired Memori for stand-out nigiri and maki, and tried a memorable almond gazpacho drizzled with mint oil from Fabio Trabocchi’s pairing menu at Seta su Ilma.
Mistral’s chrome chairs, nautical strips and breezy waterside tables channel Riviera vibes, perfect for relaxed lunches or romantic dinners, while couples will find a quiet drinking area at the lower-level Marina Bar, where some tables jut out over the water.
There were misses. At late-breakfast venue Tides, I requested cafetiere coffee, but only machine coffee was available. Around the ship, cold items were often (and unnecessarily) paired with parfait, which I scraped off a bowl of granola and a “sugar-free” poached-pear dish.
Service and Facilities 8/10
In line with the hotel, the crew are referred to as “ladies and gentlemen”. Service was warm and courteous, and the high staff-to-guest ratio means a crew member is always around to offer directions or assist with an order.
Between decks three and 10 are two outdoor pools, five dining venues, seven bars, a wine vault and a humidor and a private dining room. The spa on deck four features 11 treatment rooms, including one for couples, and outdoor options. It was a nice surprise to find a separate spin room and a yoga/Pilates studio alongside the gym.
Four boutiques include a Bulgari and another stocks vintage Hermès bags and handcrafted clutches from the exclusive Olympia Le-Tan Voyages collection.
The infinity pool has an upper, sunbathing deck. In some ports, an inflatable extension to the marina deck facilitates a sea dip in a tiny integral “pool” and, weather permitting, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding is possible.
Entertainment and Excursions 7/10
There’s a softly-softly approach to entertainment – a lunchtime DJ at the infinity pool, a saxophone player as lunch segues into the afternoon or a film night by the pool. Occasional guest entertainers may include vocalists, magicians and comedians. The “En Blanc” (white) night is the one to pack for: dress to impress.
The wide range of private and group shore excursions covers most bases. In Bonaire, a four-hour private fishing charter costs $285pp (£211pp) and in Tortola, a self-drive Jeep and beach adventure costs $675 (£500). My tour to Port Grimaud on the French Riviera didn’t go off the beaten track, but it did include an exceptional lunch at a well-chosen restaurant.
Value for Money 8/10
A seven-night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Monte Carlo starts from £8,900pp so yes, a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection isn’t cheap. However loyal Ritz-Carlton guests will tell you that the price is worth it for the level of luxury and the fact that the line is all-inclusive. Almost everything – drinks, water sports and tips – are included. Only excursions cost extra.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Several suite categories have accessible rooms, including wider balconies.
Family-friendly?
The Ritz Kids programme is available year-round, with additional services available during holidays and in the summer months. Several room categories sleep up to four passengers, while sofa beds are available in most suite categories (cots and air mattresses on request).