Evrima vs. Ilma vs. Luminara: Which Ritz-Carlton Yacht Should You Choose?
Evrima vs. Ilma vs. Luminara: Which Ritz-Carlton Yacht Should You Choose?
As the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection continues redefining ultra-luxury cruising, travelers now have three distinct ships to choose from: Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara. Each yacht offers the brand’s signature service, elevated design, and destination-driven itineraries—but each also delivers a different onboard atmosphere, suite layout philosophy, and overall experience.
If you’re deciding between Evrima vs. Ilma vs. Luminara, this guide breaks down everything you need to know: ship sizes, suites, dining, amenities, who each yacht is best for, and how to choose the right vessel for your style of travel.
Whether you're a loyal Ritz-Carlton guest venturing into yachting or a seasoned cruiser seeking a boutique, five-star feel, this comparison will help you make the perfect choice.
Overview: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Fleet at a Glance
| Yacht | Launched | Size | Guest Capacity | Crew | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evrima | 2022 | 623 ft | 298 guests | 246 crew | Intimate, contemporary, boutique |
| Ilma | 2024 | 790 ft | 448 guests | 400+ crew | Spacious, modern luxury, elevated wellness |
| Luminara | 2025 | Similar to Ilma | 452 guests | 400+ crew | Next-gen design, culinary-forward, refined |
Quick Take
Evrima = For travelers who want the most boutique, intimate yacht experience.
Ilma = Best for those wanting space, wellness, and the most refined onboard facilities.
Luminara = Perfect balance: modern, experiential, and deeply culinary, with new suite categories.
Evrima: The Original Ritz-Carlton Yacht
Evrima launched the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection concept and remains beloved for its boutique size, intimate service, and sleek, contemporary lines.
Why Travelers Choose Evrima
If you prefer:
A smaller, more private yacht ambiance
Quiet relaxation spaces
Intimate restaurants and lounges
Itineraries focused on classic Mediterranean and Caribbean ports
…then Evrima is likely your best fit.
Suite Experience on Evrima
Evrima features 149 suites, most with private terraces.
Key categories include:
Terrace Suites — Ideal for couples seeking modern comfort
Grand Suites — Spacious layouts with separate living areas
Owner’s Suite — The pinnacle of luxury, with panoramic views
Evrima’s suite design emphasizes warm neutrals, clean lines, and a residential feel. While Ilma and Luminara offer larger suites overall, Evrima still feels exceptionally open and luxurious for her size.
Dining on Evrima
Evrima offers:
S.E.A. – A multi-course, fine-dining experience designed by Chef Sven Elverfeld of the three-Michelin-starred Aqua
Talaat Nam – Asian fusion specialties
Tides – Mediterranean casual dining
Mistral – Terrace restaurant with ocean views
Dining on Evrima feels intimate and elevated, with quick service and smaller-venue charm.
Wellness & Activities
The Ritz-Carlton Spa
An infinity pool
Marina platform with water toys
Cocktail lounges & live music
Where Evrima Sails
Mediterranean
Caribbean
Transatlantic repositioning voyages
Evrima tends to sail established, in-demand routes, making it ideal for first-time guests.
Ilma: The Next Generation of Ritz-Carlton Yachts
Launched in 2024, Ilma represents the second generation of the fleet—with expanded space, more suite categories, and elevated wellness and dining concepts.
Why Travelers Choose Ilma
Choose Ilma if you prefer:
Larger suites with enhanced layouts
More open deck space and multiple pool areas
Expanded dining options
State-of-the-art wellness facilities
A more modern, airy design aesthetic
Ilma brings a more resort-style feel—without losing the yacht intimacy Ritz-Carlton is known for.
Suite Experience on Ilma
Ilma features 224 suites, all with private terraces, and many with expanded square footage compared to Evrima.
Signature suite categories include:
Signature Midship Suites – Among the largest in the fleet
View Suites – Stunning panoramic perspectives
Two-story Loft Suites – A new concept offering soaring ceilings and duplex living
If you want space, Ilma offers noticeably more room to breathe—especially in the mid-to-upper suite categories.
Dining on Ilma
Ilma introduces new concepts and expands favorites from Evrima.
Highlights include:
Mistral – Now larger and more modern
Talaat Nam – Elevated with expanded seating
New Specialty Restaurants – Including enhanced seafood and Mediterranean venues
Poolside & Marina dining – More casual options for all-day enjoyment
Overall, Ilma’s culinary offerings feel more varied, more international, and more experiential.
Wellness, Activities & Design
Ilma features:
A larger spa with expanded treatment rooms
A full fitness center, including movement studios
A larger marina platform
Multiple pools, giving guests more relaxation options
The design is sleek, airy, and Scandinavian-inspired—light woods, soft neutral tones, and calming open spaces.
Where Ilma Sails
Mediterranean
Northern Europe
Caribbean & Central America
Longer repositioning and transoceanic journeys
Ilma’s itineraries feel slightly more adventurous and varied, with more emphasis on unique ports and longer voyages.
Luminara: The Newest Ritz-Carlton Yacht (2025)
Launching in 2025, Luminara is the polished evolution of Ilma, sharing a similar size but introducing next-gen design, improved flow, and new dining and suite innovations.
Think of Luminara as the perfect midpoint: more modern and diverse than Evrima, but slightly more intimate and culinary-focused than Ilma.
Why Travelers Choose Luminara
Travelers choose Luminara for:
Newest suite designs and refined layouts
A strong focus on culinary and mixology experiences
Optimized deck flow, making the ship feel intimate despite its size
A calm, sophisticated, almost residential onboard aesthetic
If you want the newest, sleekest, and most food-forward yacht, Luminara is the top pick.
Suite Experience on Luminara
Luminara mirrors Ilma’s suite variety but introduces updates:
Evolved Loft Suites with more open-air space
New Penthouse configurations
Fewer entry-level suites, meaning more overall spaciousness
Expanded terrace sizes in many categories
The interiors lean warmer than Ilma—still modern, but with richer textures and a more refined palette.
Dining on Luminara
Expect:
Brand-new specialty restaurants (culinary focus is a major highlight)
Elevated onboard tasting menus
Enhanced wine and spirits programming
A redesigned Mistral and Talaat Nam
If food is a priority, Luminara is arguably the top choice in the entire fleet.
Wellness & Amenities
A redesigned spa and thermal suite
Advanced fitness center
Larger marina platform with more water activity options
Beautifully sculpted indoor-outdoor relaxation areas
Where Luminara Sails
While itineraries vary, expect:
Mediterranean seasons
Exotic warm-weather routes
A blend of Ilma-style and Evrima-style programming
Evrima vs. Ilma vs. Luminara: Side-By-Side Comparison
Ship Size & Atmosphere
Evrima — Most intimate; feels like a true boutique yacht
Ilma — Largest and most resort-like
Luminara — Elegant middle ground with newer design
Suites
Evrima — Beautiful but cozier overall
Ilma — Most spacious and diverse layouts
Luminara — Newest, most refined suite design philosophy
Dining
Evrima — Intimate and curated
Ilma — Most variety
Luminara — Most culinary-forward and chef-driven
Wellness & Amenities
Evrima — Spa + pool + marina, small-yacht scale
Ilma — Large spa, multiple pools, expanded fitness
Luminara — Most modern thermal suite and wellness spaces
Best For
Evrima — Couples, honeymooners, boutique lovers
Ilma — Families, wellness travelers, longer voyages
Luminara — Foodies, modern design lovers, explorers seeking the newest yacht
Which Ritz-Carlton Yacht Should You Choose?
Here’s the bottom line:
Choose Evrima if…
You want the smallest and quietest yacht
You enjoy an intimate, exclusive feel
You prefer classic Mediterranean or Caribbean itineraries
Choose Ilma if…
You want the largest suites and most space
You love wellness, pools, and open decks
You want more dining options and modern amenities
Choose Luminara if…
You want the newest and most refined yacht
You’re a foodie or wine lover
You enjoy modern, warm, residential interior design
Final Thoughts
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection now offers three extraordinary vessels—each with its own personality, design philosophy, and style of luxury. There is no wrong choice; it simply depends on the vibe you want and the experience you prioritize.
For many guests, the decision comes down to:
Evrima = boutique luxury
Ilma = spacious modern resort styling
Luminara = newest & most polished culinary experience
