Luxury travel advisors Robyn and Murray Sinfield were recently on the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Luminara. Read their impressions in this exclusive review for Karryon Luxury.
The word Luminara in Latin means light or illumination, and that’s the feeling as we embark in Singapore on our Christmas cruise. This is a cruise ship, but it doesn’t feel like a cruise ship; it’s the feel of a quality hotel, quiet luxury, a floating five-star hotel.
Luminara (2025) is the third ship in the yacht fleet, following Evrima in 2022 and Ilma in 2024. We are on board with a maximum guest capacity of 452, and it quickly becomes our seabound sanctuary.
Think: elegant design, Michelin-level dining, no casinos, no crowds, and a vibe that feels like time is standing still, and you can take the opportunity to catch your breath!
Our suite
We are greeted by our two suite ambassadors, who make sure our suite #932 is always beautifully presented and our every wish granted. Our champagne awaiting is Moët & Chandon, and our mini bar is stocked with all that will be required for the next seven nights.
Our first impression is the indoor/outdoor flow with floor-to-ceiling windows and uninterrupted views. The balcony has two large chairs with a table and a deck chair. The safe is in the wall unit beside the beverage cabinet with a kettle, coffee machine, glassware and crockery.
Our sitting area has a large TV screen, a comfortable couch and chair and dining table with four chairs. It’s a well-lit suite; however, the placement of the power point and USB means it’s one or the other, not both.
We each have a walk-in robe with ample hanging and drawer space – plush gowns and slippers. The king-size bed has fine linens, and there is another large screen TV on the wall opposite. Other thoughtful features are a bedside clock.
The bathroom features a separate toilet room (also comes off the entrance area) with a bath and separate shower. A heated towel rail and two vanities of cream-grey marble with great mirrors. Amenities are both Diptyque and Bvlgari, and a Dyson hairdryer rounds out the thoughtful appointments.
Wining and dining
Food is another level with such varied menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner – all exceptionally well presented from the five restaurants.
Haesu Bit is Asian fusion (Japanese, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean). Azur changes the menu every two days and features regional cuisines relevant to where you are sailing. Beach House is Mediterranean style, and Mistral has superb steaks and pizza at lunchtime.
The Michelin-style restaurant (at a cost, food only US$250pp) is inspired by Chef Fabio Trabocchi, and Seta su Luminara serves Venetian-style food.
There is no main dining area. Dining Privee is an area where you can have a hosted or celebratory dinner that is pre-arranged and can accommodate 18 people off the wine bar on deck three. In the Wine Bar, there are regular wine tastings (at a cost).
The Living Room café is the best place for a quick coffee and biscuit or small sandwich. When in port, there is a max of two lunch choices.
We don’t go thirsty with seven bars we experience.
Inside Haesu Bit Restaurant is a bar, the Living Room is where you can play a board game, but our favourite is the Art Bar on Deck nine in the bow with an inside/outside choice to sit and watch the world go by.
The Humidor is available for the smokers onboard. Included drinks are of a reasonable quality, with choice from restaurant to restaurant, and there is an extensive drinks menu to purchase from.
Room service has an excellent selection, depending on the time of day and is 24/7. Public and private space is ample, with tucked-away corridors and the ship design where all restaurants are aft.
On board facilities
Children are welcome from six months of age, and they have Ritz Kids to care for them.
There are luxury shops onboard like Cartier and Piaget. Connection is fabulous with Star Link, and multiple devices per person are complimentary.
On Deck 10, there is the main pool with two whirlpools. Aft is the yacht marina (from Deck three down to Deck two) and the floating platform, the easy way to slip into the ocean. This area has a complimentary selection of water toys (for all ages), and is subject to weather and government clearances, and of course, to cover the company, an e-waiver must be completed for every guest.
Activities onboard are very low-key. The normal fitness style to start the day, a port talk presentation, an art tour of the 731 pieces (including Andy Warhol and Paul Klee), a floral class or a water colour class, trivia in the living room with varying subjects and photography classes.
The spa has 11 treatment rooms, and these open out to the sea. There is a sauna and steam room and a very well-appointed gym with yoga, TRX, barre and Pilates. Also, the movement and cycle studios are popular with guests.
The yacht has a guest launderette for self-serve and also a wash/fold (one bag) for US$5 (weighed per pound), along with other laundry/pressing options at a cost. There’s also a yacht WhatsApp group for anything you need – very quickly responded to by the reception team.
Gratuities are included; optional tipping remains entirely discretionary for exceptional service.
Entertainment
Entertainment is not why you would choose the Ritz-Carlton Yacht collection – there is no Cruise Director; it’s intimate like the yacht itself, with in-house musicians from around the world in most venues with live music, and the artists mingle with the guests.
One night on the voyage, there is the Dîner en Blanc (white party) – a night when everyone comes together in the Living Room.
The dress code represents the freedom of being on a yacht like Luminara. Yacht casual throughout and collared shirts for men encouraged by night. There is nothing formal about the yacht.
Excursions and port visits
Our itinerary is Singapore, Langkawi, Phuket, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, then back into Singapore, that easy warm itinerary Aussies love.
This is where we feel we are at a hotel. There is nothing in your suite about touring. If you wish to go out and about, you consult the concierge on board, who can arrange group or personal touring to suit your needs.
Tours ranged from a four-hour walking tour at US$155 per person to a full-day sightseeing tour at US$480 per person.
The app works well (when on yacht) to see what shore excursions might be available for the coming days, and purchases can be made simply from the app.
Disembark is like any cruise; the yacht suites are to be vacated by 8am and there are two breakfast options open, and everyone disembarks by 9.30am.
The concierge looking after all things for the future is on Deck five near the Living Room, and the desk is manned twice per day. There is a seven per cent onboard savings opportunity.
Tips
It’s essential that guests have dining booked before embarkation – otherwise it’s slim pickings for choice and time.
Book with your BonVoy number on the invoice and earn five points per $1 spent on a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection itinerary.
Verdict
Why Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection?
Well, they are not trying to convert traditional cruisers. It’s a different guest altogether, a new market to the sea who may be design-conscious, the furniture and fittings on Luminara are sublime, or they may be service-oriented.
It’s for someone who wants more than just a beach flop and drop holiday, it’s the five-star hotel and those who love the idea of waking up to a new port each day without repacking your bags, someone who likes that espresso martini in the intimate bar over a bingo night!
For more information, visit Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
