Ritz-Carlton Evrima

The 2021-built and 2022-inaugurated Ritz-Carlton Evrima cruise ship (fka “Ritz-Carlton Azora” / official website) is the first of the three ultra-luxury expedition yachts owned by Marriott International Inc (shipowner). The superyacht is operated by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (cruise brand and subsidiary of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company).

The vessel (IMO number 9823687) is Malta-flagged (MMSI 215001000) and registered in Valletta.

Due to construction delays (shipbuilder financial difficulties caused by the Coronavirus crisis), the vessel’s delivery was initially postponed by six months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Evrima’s Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled eight times—from 2020 (June 14) to 2021 (April 22, June 14, July 25, November 10) and then to 2022 (May 6, June 25, August 6, and finally October 15). A total of 138 voyages (74 planned for 2020–2021 and 64 planned for 2021–2022) were canceled.

A fun fact is that the vessel was known as “Hull 1705” and “Yacht 1” between January 2017 and December 2018, and as “Azora” from December 2018 through October 2019.

History - construction and ownership

Ritz-Carlton’s cruise brand, “The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” is a Miami-headquartered (Coconut Grove) new company owned by Marriott International Inc via its subsidiary The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC.

On June 22, 2017, the five-star hotel brand Ritz-Carlton announced its privately owned cruise line brand, with a planned service start in 2019. The company’s fleet consists of three newbuilds, with an option to expand to five vessels. The cruise company was founded by Douglas Prothero (CEO and founder of Canadian Maritime Group) and Lars Clasen (Managing Director and former President of AIDA Cruises).

Unlike the Spain-built Evrima, the France-built sisterships Ilma (2024) and Luminara (2025) are larger in gross tonnage (46,750 GT compared to Evrima’s 25,400 GT), number of cabins (228 versus 149), and maximum passenger capacity (456 versus 298).

The 300-passenger Evrima was designed by Tillberg Design (Sweden) as a “mega-yacht / cruise ship” hybrid. The custom-built superyacht was even described as an “anti–cruise ship.”

Due to shipyard issues and financial difficulties, the vessel’s delivery and inauguration (originally planned for November 2019) were first postponed to 2020 (four months, from February to June), then to 2021 (April, July, and November), and eventually to 2022 (May, June, August, and October). The latest cancellations were driven by the ongoing pandemic, including safety concerns, international travel restrictions, and uncertainties related to lockdowns and port closures.

Decks and Cabins

All Evrima cruise ship staterooms (149 total) are balcony suites with tall ceilings, including two duplex suites (two-level apartments). The forward-located Owner Suites are the yacht’s largest accommodations, featuring an upper-level living area, floor-to-ceiling windows with 270-degree views, and a large wraparound terrace with a private outdoor plunge pool.

The ship has 10 decks, of which eight are passenger-accessible and five contain cabins.

Staterooms include 27 Signature Suites, 18 Grand Suites, 12 Loft Suites (two-deck accommodations), and 90 Terrace Suites. Loft Suites are duplexes with the bedroom on the lower level. Terrace Suites are connecting cabins (separated by a soundproof partition wall) that can be easily combined, reducing the total number of cabins from 149 to 107 when the mega-yacht is privately chartered.

Cabin categories include:

• Owner’s Suite (1,100 ft² / 102 m²) plus balcony (590 ft² / 55 m²)
• View Suite (625 ft² / 58 m²) plus balcony (95 ft² / 9 m²)
• Loft Suite (700 ft² / 65 m²) plus balcony (75 ft² / 7 m²)
• Grand Suite (635 ft² / 59 m²) plus balcony (110 ft² / 10 m²)
• Signature Mid-Suite / Signature Suite (475 ft² / 44 m²) plus balcony (100 ft² / 9 m²)
• Terrace Mid-Suite / Terrace Suite (310 ft² / 29 m²) plus balcony (65 ft² / 6 m²)

Standard (complimentary) cabin amenities and services include custom-made King-size beds (premium sleeping system, exclusive Ritz-Carlton linens, hypoallergenic pillows), smart HDTVs (infotainment system with Internet access, movies on demand, and room service ordering), seating area with contemporary furniture (mirrored dressing table, upholstered low stool, lounge cabinet with shelves, armchairs, coffee table), complimentary minibar (fully stocked to guests’ preferences upon request after boarding), espresso coffee machine (complimentary coffee and tea capsules), direct-dial phone, wardrobe, electronic safe box, and lifejackets (stored in the closet), 220/110 V power outlets, USB charging ports, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet, complimentary 24-hour room service and in-cabin dining (ordering from all onboard dining venues), dedicated butler service (Personal Concierge assistant), en-suite bathroom (double-sink vanity, separate WC toilet, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, custom-made bath linens, luxury-brand bath products), individually controlled air-conditioning, LED lighting, and modern recessed light fixtures.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Ritz-Carlton Evrima offers a total of 10 ultra-premium dining venues, all with chef-curated menus, intimate seating, no assigned tables, and no fixed mealtimes. Dining is available around the clock, allowing guests to eat whenever they choose rather than following traditional cruise dining schedules. All-day and late-night in-cabin or terrace dining is available via 24-hour room service, with items from all onboard venues, as well as from the main dining room during regular hours.

The daytime dress code for breakfast and lunch is Yacht Casual; shoes, shirts, and swimwear cover-ups are required when away from the pool. In the evening, sleeveless T-shirts and swimwear are not permitted, and shoes and shirts are required throughout the vessel. The dress code at the specialty restaurant by Sven Elverfeld is Yacht Sophisticated; collared shirts are recommended but not required. There are no formal nights on board.

Below is the complete list of Ritz-Carlton Evrima restaurants and food bars.

• S.E.A. (Aqua Restaurant) operates in partnership with celebrity chef Sven Elverfeld (three Michelin stars), who presides over Aqua Restaurant in Wolfsburg, Germany. With seating for 28 guests, the venue offers a five-course à la carte menu with wine pairings. An additional fee applies and reservations are required.
• Evrima Room is the ship’s Main Dining Room (MDR), with seating for 140 guests. Designed to resemble 10 smaller restaurants, it features numerous intimate nooks. Menus change daily and are inspired by the ports visited. Dining Privée, a private 10-seat room within the MDR, can be reserved for VIP lunches and dinners with customized menus.
• Talaat Nam is a contemporary Asian cuisine restaurant with a dedicated sushi bar and outdoor terrace seating.
• The Pool House is a casual poolside venue offering all-day dining, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Mistral (aft on Deck 8, initially named “Outdoor Grill”) is a Lido-style bar restaurant serving the pool area with food and beverages. This lower sundeck is supported by Poolside Grill (steakhouse) and Seafood Grill. Mistral offers casual alfresco dining from early morning through late night, featuring à la minute preparation of gourmet meats and fresh seafood.

Ritz-Carlton’s Culinary Director is pastry chef Matthieu Godard, who oversees the brand’s culinary concepts and menus. Lee Goble serves as Executive Chef, managing the fleet’s culinary teams.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Evrima offers destination-based entertainment, including onboard performances by local artists and musicians, as well as itinerary-inspired gourmet cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Entertainment includes live jazz and classical music, expert-led lectures, and multimedia presentations. On each voyage, local guests such as artists, lecturers, and chefs join the ship to provide authentic cultural experiences. Shipwide Wi-Fi is complimentary.

The ship’s main social spaces are the Observation Lounge (top deck) and The Living Room (entrance hall / Atrium Lobby lounge, also functioning as a café and library). Evrima does not feature a dedicated theater or casino.

The mega-yacht features an aft marina platform for watersports, providing direct sea access. The marina is also used for open-air parties and special events. Complimentary water toys include sea kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment. The marina connects seamlessly with interior spaces, forming an indoor-outdoor solarium that feels more like a lounge than a traditional sundeck.

The image below shows the Spa Deck’s forward sundeck with a large Jacuzzi (covered in the evenings) and outdoor padded seating, including sofas, loungers, tables, and chairs.

Above the Sun Deck is the Helideck, equipped with a helipad used for emergency operations.

The open-air Marina Bar offers 270-degree sea views and is covered by a retractable glass roof. By day, it operates as an alfresco dining lounge, and in the evening it transforms into a disco-style nightclub. The venue serves a wide range of made-to-order dishes prepared à la minute.

The superyacht features two infinity whirlpools (aft port and starboard on Deck 5), two aft swimming pools (a deeper pool on Deck 5 and a shallow pool on Deck 8), and a spa pool/Jacuzzi forward on Deck 9. The aft infinity pool on Deck 5 is also used for resistance swimming. Glass doors open to a sweeping staircase leading to the Lido Deck above, overlooking the ship’s wake. Evrima also carries speedboats.

Due to fire safety regulations, many onboard spaces are subdivided, with structural partitions separating restaurants, lounges, and bars. Ritz-Carlton yachts pioneered an open floorplan concept described as “fluid and transparent,” designed to blur traditional boundaries between dining and social areas.

Below is the complete list of Ritz-Carlton Evrima lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for guests of all ages.

• The Bar is a cocktail lounge serving premium spirits and champagnes, with optional caviar pairings.
• The Humidor is a top-deck smoking lounge (part of the Observation Lounge), offering hand-rolled cigars and premium liquors.
• The Observation Lounge is the ship’s prime venue for cocktails and socializing and transforms into a late-night entertainment hub after sunset.
• The Living Room is the ship’s café-patisserie, serving freshly baked pastries, cakes, roasted coffee, and traditional British afternoon tea. Ready-made sweets are available until late evening.
• The Pool House provides all-day complimentary food and beverage service. The aft pool deck features loungers, deckchairs, banquettes, whirlpools, and a large open space for outdoor movies and deck parties.
• Ritz-Carlton Spa (Deck 9) is operated by Ritz-Carlton Hotels and offers indoor and outdoor treatments. Each treatment room has a private step-out balcony, allowing guests to choose between indoor or outdoor sessions. The wellness complex also includes a relaxation lounge, medical center, beauty salon, barber shop, and an indoor-outdoor fitness center with both gym equipment and open-air exercise areas.
• Ritz Kids is the yacht’s complimentary kids club, offering educational and recreational programs for children. Enhanced programming is available during summer seasons and holidays.
• The Boutique Shop offers branded sportswear, fashion apparel, accessories, leather goods, premium jewelry and watches, perfumes, and cosmetics. In selected ports, local artisans join the ship to showcase handcrafted products.

The Marina is an aft-located watersports platform providing direct sea access and housing the ship’s water toys. It is also used for parties and open-air events. Glass doors connect the marina to a sweeping staircase leading to the Lido/Pool Deck above. Adjacent is the Marina Terrace, an indoor-outdoor solarium designed as a relaxed lounge rather than a traditional sundeck.

Marina Terrace is an open-air deck served by Marina Bar, offering 270-degree panoramic views. Covered by a retractable glass roof, it functions as an alfresco dining venue by day and a nightclub in the evening, serving freshly prepared dishes and handcrafted cocktails.

Itineraries

Evrima’s MAIDEN VOYAGE is scheduled for August 6, 2022. The seven-day itinerary sails from Piraeus (Athens) to Chioggia (Venice), visiting Greece (Parga, Corfu), Croatia (Dubrovnik with overnight stay, Korčula, Rovinj), Slovenia (Koper), and concluding with an overnight in Chioggia.

Originally, Evrima’s inauguration was planned for June 14, 2020, with a seven-day itinerary (booking code 11200614) from Barcelona, Spain to Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Prices started from EUR 6310 / USD 6960 per person, double occupancy, including taxes and port fees.

Due to construction delays, the Maiden Voyage and brand launch were postponed from 2020 to 2022 and rescheduled multiple times—during 2021 (April 22 from Lisbon, July 24 from Venice, and November 10 from San Juan, Puerto Rico) and during 2022 (May 6 from Lisbon, June 25 from Piraeus, August 6 and August 31 from Piraeus, and finally October 15 from Barcelona to Nice).

The latest cancellations affected the entire Europe-Mediterranean season (2020) and the Caribbean season (2021), totaling 96 canceled voyages.

Below are Evrima’s canceled 2020–2021–2022 schedules, listed by homeport with departure dates and booking codes. IMPORTANT: All itineraries in 2020 and part of 2021 (January 3 through April 22) were canceled.

Ritz-Carlton 2020 schedule (CANCELED)

• (June 14) 7-night Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca (11200614)
• (June 21) 7-night Palma de Mallorca to Lisbon (11200621)
• (June 28) 7-night Lisbon to Bordeaux (11200628)
• (July 5) 9-night Bordeaux to London-Greenwich (11200705)
• (July 14) 7-night London-Greenwich to Amsterdam (11200714)
• (July 21) 9-night Amsterdam to Copenhagen (11200721)
• (July 30) 10-night Copenhagen to Stockholm (11200730)
• (August 9) 10-night Stockholm to Copenhagen (11200809)
• (August 19) 9-night Copenhagen to Edinburgh, Scotland (11200819)
• (August 28) 8-night Edinburgh to Reykjavik (11200828)
• (September 5) 7-night Reykjavik roundtrip (11200905)
• (September 12) 14-night Reykjavik to Halifax, Canada (11200912), Transatlantic, from EUR 7400 pp
• (September 26) 7-night Halifax to Boston (11200926)
• (October 3) 12-night Boston to Montreal (11201003)
• (October 15) 12-night Montreal to Boston (11201015)
• (October 27) 9-night Boston to Nassau, Bahamas (11201027), repositioning, from EUR 5050 pp
• (November 6) 8-night Fort Lauderdale to San Juan (11201106), inaugural Caribbean cruise, from EUR 5250 pp
• (November 14) 7-night San Juan to Philipsburg (11201114)
• (November 21) 7-night Philipsburg to Bridgetown (11201121)
• (November 28) 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (11201128)
• (December 5) 7-night Bridgetown to Castries (11201205)
• (December 12) 7-night Castries to Philipsburg (11201212)
• (December 19) 8-night Philipsburg to San Juan (11201219), “Christmas Cruise 2020,” from EUR 6300 pp
• (December 27) 7-night San Juan roundtrip (11201227), “New Year Cruise 2020,” from EUR 5650 pp

Ritz-Carlton 2021 schedule (CANCELED)

• (January 3) 7-night San Juan to Philipsburg (11210103)
• (January 10) 7-night Philipsburg to Bridgetown (11210110)
• (January 17) 7-night Bridgetown to Castries (11210117)
• (January 24) 7-night Castries to Oranjestad (11210124)
• (January 31) 7-night Oranjestad to Castries (11210131)
• (February 14) 7-night Philipsburg to Castries (11210214)
• (February 26) 7-night Castries to San Juan (11210226)
• (March 10) 7-night San Juan roundtrip (11210310)
• (March 27) 7-night San Juan to Bridgetown (11210327)
• (April 3) 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (11210403)
• (April 10) 12-night Bridgetown to Lisbon (11210410), Transatlantic, from EUR 6200 pp
• (April 22) 9-night Lisbon to Palma de Mallorca (11210422)
• (May 1) 7-night Palma de Mallorca to Nice (11210501)
• (May 8) 7-night Nice to Civitavecchia-Rome (11210508)
• (May 29) 7-night Valletta to Piraeus (11210529)
• (June 5) 7-night Piraeus roundtrip (11210605)
• (June 12) 7-night Piraeus to Venice (11210612)
• (June 24) 9-night Dubrovnik to Piraeus (11210624)
• (July 10) 7-night Piraeus to Dubrovnik (11210710)
• (July 17) 7-night Dubrovnik to Venice (11210717)
• (July 24) 7-night Venice to Piraeus (11210724)
• (July 31) 7-night Piraeus to Valletta (11210731)
• (August 7) 7-night Valletta to Civitavecchia-Rome (11210807)
• (August 14) 7-night Civitavecchia-Rome roundtrip (11210814)
• (August 26) 8-night Civitavecchia-Rome to Malaga (11210826)
• (September 3) 7-night Malaga to Lisbon (11210903)
• (September 10) 12-night Lisbon to Halifax (11210910), Transatlantic, from EUR 6300 pp
• (September 22) 7-night Halifax to Boston (11210922)
• (September 29) 11-night Boston to Montreal (11210929)
• (October 10) 12-night Montreal to Halifax (11211010)
• (October 22) 12-night Halifax to Fort Lauderdale (11211022), repositioning, from EUR 7900 pp
• (November 10) 7-night San Juan to Castries (11211110), scheduled Maiden Voyage
• (November 17) 7-night Castries to Oranjestad (11211117)
• (November 24) 8-night Oranjestad roundtrip (11211124)
• (December 2) 7-night Oranjestad to Bridgetown (11211202)
• (December 9) 7-night Bridgetown roundtrip (11211209)
• (December 16) 7-night Bridgetown to San Juan (11211216)
• (December 23) 10-night San Juan roundtrip (11211223), “Christmas and New Year Cruise 2021,” from EUR 7760 pp

Ritz-Carlton 2022 schedule (CANCELED)

• (January 2) 7-day roundtrip from San Juan (USD 4900)
• (January 9) 7-day San Juan to Philipsburg (USD 5300)
• (January 16) 7-day Philipsburg to Bridgetown (USD 4895)
• (January 23) 7-day roundtrip from Bridgetown (USD 4910)
• (January 30) 7-day Bridgetown to Castries (USD 5410)
• (February 6) 7-day Castries to San Juan (USD 5405)
• (February 13) 7-day roundtrip from San Juan (USD 5795)
• (February 20) 7-day San Juan to Philipsburg (USD 5395)
• (February 27) 7-day Philipsburg to Castries (USD 5090)
• (March 6) 5-day Castries to Bridgetown (USD 3910)
• (March 20) 8-day roundtrip from Oranjestad (USD 5600)
• (March 28) 12-day Oranjestad to Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (USD 7690)
• (April 9) 7-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale (USD 5410)
• (April 16) 7-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale (USD 5100)
• (April 23) 13-day Transatlantic Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon (USD 7505)
• (May 6) 11-day Lisbon to Barcelona (USD 13,400)
• (May 17) 9-day Barcelona to Marseille (USD 9900)
• (May 26) 10-day Marseille to Civitavecchia-Rome (USD 12,200)
• (June 5) 5-day Civitavecchia to Valletta (USD 5800)
• (June 10) 8-day Valletta to Piraeus (USD 9200)
• (June 18) 7-day Piraeus roundtrip (USD 8400)
• (June 25) 7-day Piraeus to Venice (USD 8100)
• (July 2) 7-day Venice to Dubrovnik (USD 8400)
• (July 9) 5-day Dubrovnik to Venice (USD 6100)
• (July 14) 9-day Venice to Piraeus (USD 10,600)
• (July 23) 7-day Piraeus to Venice (USD 8100)
• (July 30) 7-day Venice to Piraeus (USD 8400)
• (August 6) 7-day roundtrip from Piraeus (USD 8400)
• (August 13) 7-day Piraeus to Istanbul (USD 7400)
• (August 20) 11-day Istanbul to Piraeus (USD 12,100)
• (August 31) 9-day Piraeus to Chioggia
• (September 10) 7-day Chioggia to Civitavecchia
• (September 22) 9-day roundtrip from Civitavecchia
• (October 2) 6-day roundtrip from Civitavecchia
• (October 8) 7-day Civitavecchia to Barcelona

An extensive list of ship relocation voyages is available at RepositionCruises.com (dates, itineraries, regions).

Ritz-Carlton cruise fares are inclusive of onboard accommodations, dining, beverages (including alcoholic drinks), gratuities, and Wi-Fi. A 5% discount is offered when booking two or more back-to-back cruises.

In early September 2020, Ritz-Carlton announced its winter 2022–2023 itineraries (November through April). Evrima’s program introduced 15 new ports, including Golfito, Costa Rica, Portsmouth, Dominica, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, and Bocas del Toro, Panama, along with longer port stays.

In late August 2021, Ritz-Carlton postponed Evrima’s Maiden Voyage again, rescheduling it for May 6, 2022.

During spring and summer 2022, MS Evrima was planned for deployment in the Western Caribbean and Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean (including Israel and Cyprus). Themed voyages included a Christmas Cruise (December 25 in Roseau, Dominica), a New Year’s Eve Cruise (December 31 in Saint Barthélemy), a Casablanca overnight with tours to Marrakesh, and sailings coinciding with the Monaco Grand Prix 2022.

In the summers of 2023 and 2024 (April through November), the ship was deployed in the Mediterranean (French Riviera, Adriatic, Balearic Islands, and Greek Isles), with itineraries ranging from seven to 11 nights. The 2023 program introduced five maiden ports—Melilla (Spanish Morocco), San Sebastián de La Gomera (Canary Islands), Praia (Santiago Island, Cape Verde), Mindelo (São Vicente Island, Cape Verde), and Catania (Sicily, Italy). The 2024 program (21 sailings) featured 14 new ports and overnight stays in Monte Carlo (Monaco), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Portofino (Italy), and Casablanca (Morocco).

Ritz-Carlton’s The Shore Collection (shore excursions and land tours) offers customized experiences delivered by dedicated shipboard staff (Concierge Ashore) in partnership with certified local guides and tourism professionals.

All Ritz-Carlton superyachts are available for private charter.