Photo Credits: Yahoo
The hospitality world’s most prestigious brand has expanded its portfolio beyond five-star hotels and into the realm of ultra-luxury ocean travel. The Ritz-Carlton luxury cruise debut Singapore marks a significant milestone for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, introducing Asian travellers to an entirely new dimension of sophisticated maritime luxury. From 23 December 2025, the stunning Luminara superyacht will make Singapore its home port, offering an exclusive escape that combines world-class hospitality with the freedom of the seas.
The Ritz-Carlton has long been synonymous with refined elegance and impeccable service, and the Ritz-Carlton luxury cruise debut in Singapore represents a natural evolution of the brand’s commitment to exceptional experiences. The Luminara, the newest and largest vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, arrives in Singapore after successful operations in the Mediterranean. This expansion into Asia-Pacific signals the brand’s recognition of growing demand for ultra-luxury cruise experiences in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
The vessel itself is a masterpiece of modern design and sophistication. With 226 all-suite accommodations, the Luminara offers an entirely different cruising experience compared to traditional ocean liners. This all-suite configuration ensures that every guest enjoys premium accommodation with private ocean-view terraces—a defining feature that sets the Ritz-Carlton luxury cruise debut in Singapore apart from conventional cruise offerings.
The Ritz-Carlton has curated several suite categories to cater to different preferences and travel styles. Each suite features a custom king bed, double vanity bathroom, private terrace and personalised minibar service. For guests seeking enhanced luxury, the Residential Suite offers an expansive 883 square feet of interior space, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame panoramic ocean vistas. The Concierge Suite provides 786 square feet of elegance, whilst the Luminara Suite boasts a generous private terrace spanning 291 to 301 square feet—perfect for intimate alfresco dining or peaceful contemplation.
One of the most distinctive aspects of staying aboard is the 24-hour in-room private dining service. Guests can request meals from any of the onboard restaurants to be delivered directly to their suite, allowing for maximum flexibility and personalised service. Combined with personalised minibar services stocked to individual preferences, the accommodation experience reflects the brand’s legendary attention to detail.
Dining aboard Luminara is a journey in itself, guided by world-renowned chefs who have earned prestigious accolades. The vessel features five restaurants and seven bars, each offering a distinct culinary philosophy and atmosphere. This remarkable ratio of dining venues to guests ensures that the experience never feels crowded or impersonal.
Seta su Luminara stands as the flagship dining venue, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi. This intimate restaurant seats just 28 guests and presents an exquisite eight-course tasting menu inspired by Venice’s legendary spice trade era. The Venetian theme permeates every aspect of the dining experience, from the presentation to the wine pairings sourced from the adjacent Wine Vault.
For those seeking vibrant Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, Beach House, overseen by celebrated chef Michael Mina, delivers bold, innovative cuisine in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. Guests rave about specialties including wood-grilled seafood and premium cuts of beef prepared with contemporary techniques.
Haesu Bit offers an immersive journey through Pan-Asian cuisine, featuring authentic Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean and Chinese flavours. The venue includes a dedicated sushi bar and outdoor terrace seating, allowing guests to savour regional specialities whilst enjoying ocean vistas. Azur on Luminara, the main dining room, showcases locally-inspired menus that evolve with each port of call, ensuring that cuisine reflects the character and flavours of surrounding destinations.
Mistral presents an al fresco steakhouse and seafood grill experience, offering made-to-order grilled specialities at the pool deck. For those seeking casual indulgence, The Living Room serves as a patisserie and coffee bar offering freshly-baked pastries and traditional British afternoon tea service. Meanwhile, The Observation Terrace and Art Bar provide sophisticated cocktail venues with 270-degree panoramic vistas—ideal for sunset aperitifs or evening entertainment.
The Ritz-Carlton luxury cruise debut in Singapore includes comprehensive wellness amenities that reflect the brand’s holistic approach to hospitality. The Ritz-Carlton Spa spans an expanded wellness complex featuring treatment rooms with private terraces overlooking the ocean. Guests can indulge in signature treatments utilising premium ESPA and 111Skin products whilst listening to the gentle lap of waves.
The spa includes separate sauna and steam rooms for men and women, a dedicated relaxation room and complete barber and salon services. The Fitness Studio integrates personalised training programmes with spa wellness and nutritional guidance, allowing guests to maintain their health regimen whilst at sea. Classes ranging from sunrise yoga and mat Pilates to personalised training sessions accommodate various fitness levels and preferences.
Beyond wellness, the Luminara offers spectacular recreational spaces. The expanded Marina complex on Deck 3 provides direct sea-level access for water activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, Seabob usage and electric foiling boards. The Marina Terrace, covered by a retractable glass roof, functions as an elegant alfresco dining venue by day and transforms into a vibrant disco nightclub by evening.
A distinctive floating lounge platform features a central pool from which guests can swim directly into the sea—an experience that encapsulates the freedom and unique appeal of yacht-based travel. The Panoramic Pool Area on Deck 10 offers unobstructed ocean views, whilst two additional jacuzzis provide spaces for relaxation and socialising.
The Luminara distinguishes itself through an impressive onboard art collection comprising 731 artworks, with approximately 65 percent commissioned exclusively for the vessel. The collection celebrates light, heritage and the spirit of discovery, featuring works that reference cultural destinations on the yacht’s itineraries. Notable pieces include works by internationally recognised artists, adding an unexpected dimension of cultural sophistication to the cruise experience.
The Ritz-Carlton luxury cruise debut in Singapore offers travellers access to thoughtfully curated itineraries exploring the Asia-Pacific region. Departure options include seven-night cruises to Malaysian ports starting from approximately USD 11,900 per person, and 14-night voyages to Hong Kong departing 30 December 2025 at USD 17,300 per person. These itineraries showcase the region’s most captivating destinations.
Seven-night Malaysia cruises visit ports including Colombo, enabling guests to experience the cultural richness and maritime heritage of Southeast Asia. Longer itineraries extend to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and other regional highlights, each port selected for its distinctive character and attractions.
The 14-night Hong Kong voyage departing New Year’s Eve features a celebrated passage through Koh Samui for New Year’s celebrations, two days exploring vibrant Bangkok, and multiple Vietnamese ports including Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dramatic limestone formations and emerald waters.
Whilst ultra-luxury cruising commands premium pricing, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection maintains transparent pricing structures. The most accessible option begins at approximately USD 11,900 per person for seven-night Malaysia itineraries, whilst longer Asia-Pacific voyages command higher per-person costs. All-inclusive features typically encompass accommodation, dining at all venues, select beverages, wellness facilities and educational programmes.
It is worth noting that The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has established itself as the smallest-capacity ultra-luxury cruise operator, deliberately limiting passenger numbers to 452 guests maximum. This constraint ensures personalised service, exclusive access to facilities and the unhurried sophistication that defines the Ritz-Carlton experience.
The Ritz-Carlton luxury cruise debut in Singapore represents more than merely adding a new ship to the company’s portfolio. It symbolises the brand’s commitment to meeting evolving luxury travel expectations in an increasingly affluent Asia-Pacific market. The region has witnessed surging demand for bespoke, high-end travel experiences, and the Luminara’s arrival addresses this demand with a vessel specifically designed for discerning travellers seeking authenticity, personalization and exceptional service.
For Singapore-based travellers and visitors seeking the pinnacle of luxury cruise experiences, the Luminara offers an opportunity to experience The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service standards whilst exploring some of Asia’s most compelling destinations. From December 2025 onwards, luxury travel in the region enters a new chapter.