Luxury sets sail on five-star hotel ships
From Four Seasons to Orient Express, the big names in the hotel industry are rolling out a growing number of water-based offerings, featuring spas, boutiques and Michelin-starred chefs
Key points
Jannik Sinner is on board the maiden voyage of Explora III, the new superyacht from Explora Journeys, which set sail from Genoa on 24 July. The world number one tennis player, who is an ambassador for MSC’s luxury cruise brand, has brought the ‘In Balance’ programme – inspired by his training regime – on board, and guests have had the opportunity to book a one-to-one session with him, a training session with him and his team, or a charity evening. It’s not every day you get to spend time side by side with a champion, and it’s just as rare to board a ship designed by a renowned architect. Yet Explora, recognising its affinity with the world of luxury hospitality, has entrusted the interiors of the Owner’s Residence – the largest and most panoramic suite on Explora III (and its successor) – to Patricia Urquiola, who in recent years has designed many five-star properties, particularly in Italia, from the recent Six Senses in Rome to the refurbishment of the historic Capri Palace by the Jumeirah Group.
Developments in the cruise industry
In recent years, the cruise industry has undergone a radical transformation, with ships increasingly resembling grand hotels and an ever-younger clientele – with an average age of 46, and more than a third of guests aged 40, according to figures from the Cruise Lines International Association. A new concept of sea travel has emerged: an adventure at sea that offers the advantages of a road trip without sacrificing the pleasures of a stay in a hotel boasting five-star luxury, indulgence and style.
The cruise industry and the luxury hospitality sector have begun to take a keen interest in one another, recognising the mutual benefits. On the one hand, cruise lines are studying the world’s finest hotels to enhance the on-board experience; on the other, leading hospitality brands are turning to the cruise industry to seize new opportunities and break free from the constraints of a fixed location, allowing guests, for example, to enjoy a different view from their suite every day. Having spotted the business potential – with a market that, according to Gran View Research, is currently worth 11 billion dollars and is set to exceed 25 billion by 2033 – hotel chains have therefore entered the fray.
The launch of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
As early as 2022, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was launched with Evrima, the first floating hotel from the Marriott Group’s brand, featuring 149 suites and characterised by a distinctive atmosphere reminiscent of the historic Ritz-Carlton in New York, but set on the sea. Today there are three superyachts; the latest has 226 suites, but still offers white-glove service and a beach club that can be set up and taken down at the stern, complete with a swimming pool, gazebo and luxury water toys. The on-board partnerships are also outstanding, with Bulgari operating a boutique, an Espa wellness centre and a Pisterzi barber shop; on the Evrima, Ginori 1735 has customised the restaurants and decks with tableware from the ‘Il Viaggio di Nettuno’ collection and fabrics in pink, light blue and saffron for parasols, sun loungers and towels.
The Corinthian on the Orient Express
Orient Express, the brand revived within the French hotel group Accor, has also set sail. Following the opening of two sumptuous hotels in Rome and Venice and the launch of the Dolce Vita train, on 2 May the Corinthian set sail – at 220 metres, the world’s largest sailing ship, equipped with cutting-edge technology that harnesses every gust of wind to reduce CO₂ emissions. In effect, it is a resort on the water, featuring leather-upholstered columns, marble floors on which you can play backgammon, Lalique lamps and details taken directly from the historic train, such as the luggage nets. The design is by Maxime d’Angerac, whilst the cuisine is by Yannick Alléno, one of the chefs with the most Michelin stars in the world (18, the same as Alain Ducasse). In short, the Corinthian is the epitome of a new French grandeur that President Macron was quick to celebrate on Instagram. In March, Four Seasons took delivery of its first yacht from Fincantieri in Ancona, and guests in the 95 suites are now in the Mediterranean, enjoying the company’s renowned hospitality as they travel between Dubrovnik, Valletta, Porto Cervo, Nice and Saint-Tropez, before heading to the Caribbean in winter and exploring new routes in 2027, as far as Alexandria in Egypt.
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