“Slow travel” on a five-star cruise ship on the ocean

In September this year, the brand elevated the concept further with the launch of Ilma, a majestic vessel cloaked in deep, mysterious navy. With 224 guest rooms, Ilma manages to preserve the intimacy, freedom and exclusivity of a private yacht while providing amenities akin to a world-class hotel.

“We see a distinct difference between cruising and traditional cruising,” Jim Murren, CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, told Tatler. “This isn’t just transport between ports, it’s a deeper experience of the sea, where one can truly connect with the ocean and reach secluded destinations beyond the reach of larger ships.”

One such port of call was Saint-Tropez, France, where Ilma spent a full day during her maiden voyage from Barcelona to Monaco. While anchored offshore, smaller boats ferried guests ashore every 30 minutes, allowing for a relaxed exploration of the famed coastal enclave free from the rigid timetables associated with standard cruise itineraries.

“We want our guests to genuinely savour each stop,” said Ernesto Fara, president and CFO of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “In Saint-Tropez, for instance, we anchor overnight so they can experience the town’s energy from sun-drenched beach clubs to its spirited nightlife. Large cruise liners simply can’t offer this—they’re too big to dock at such locations, and their timetables are too tight. Guests are often herded off at 8 a.m. and called back by 4 p.m. With us, the experience is far more fluid.”

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But despite the chance to explore the quaint shoreline, many passengers choose to return to the ship early as the Ilma experience proves simply too alluring. Among the standout features is the Marina Terrace: an overwater platform complete with shaded cabanas and a netted pool. “It’s the world’s largest floating terrace, where guests can unwind, swim, kayak, and feel a profound connection to the ocean,” said Murren. “No cruise ship offers this kind of direct access to the sea.”

Next year, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will broaden its offerings with the arrival of a third ship, Luminara, accompanied by a set of thoughtfully curated itineraries in the Asia-Pacific. The first, a 14-night voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong, promises an immersive journey through rich cultural enclaves and striking landscapes. Another highlight is a 10-night sailing from Tokyo during cherry blossom season, when delicate petals blanket Osaka Castle and the slopes of Sakurajima Mountain shimmer in a pink haze.

Four Seasons, too, is venturing into the realm of luxury yachting. Between January and March 2026, its first yacht, a 95-suite vessel envisioned by Tillberg Design of Sweden, will set sail across the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Guests will explore storied destinations like St. Barts, Barbados, Martinique, the Greek Islands and the Adriatic Sea. For those seeking continuity in luxury, the journey can be paired with a stay at one of Four Seasons’ land-based properties for a seamless, all-encompassing travel experience.

Investing in “slow travel” is a refined strategy for hotel brands, opening doors to more remote properties while offering guests a new kind of experience. In February this year, Aman unveiled a luxury rail route connecting Jakarta to the serene retreat of Amanjiwo, set in the enigmatic heart of Central Java.

During the seven-hour ride, guests are ensconced in Aman’s signature elegance, as the train glides past dense forest and undulating rice terraces. Breakfast and lunch are served with quiet ceremony, while afternoon tea becomes an intellectual affair, led by Amanjiwo’s resident anthropologist Patrick Vanhoebrouck. His storytelling breathes life into the region’s rich history, building anticipation for the final destination: a haven perched beside Borobudur, a ninth-century Buddhist sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Constructed entirely from locally quarried limestone, Amanjiwo rises like a relic from antiquity. Its graceful arches and towering columns conjure the grandeur of a bygone era, echoing the splendour of lost civilisations.

Belmond, for its part, has long epitomised the elegance of slow travel. Since introducing the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in 1982, the brand has steadily grown its rail collection. Among its latest triumphs is the Andean Explorer, a luxury train that winds through the rugged majesty of Peru’s Andes.

Each route is thoughtfully interspersed with stays at Belmond’s signature retreats, including Monasterio in Lima, a boutique gem set within the atmospheric walls of a restored 16th-century monastery.

One of the most compelling pleasures of slow luxury travel lies in its culinary offerings. Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express, for instance, features seasonal menus crafted by acclaimed Taiwanese chef André Chiang. His reinterpretation of Chinese and Malay classics elevates each meal to a work of art.

Golden curry puffs rest beside delicate finger sandwiches on the afternoon tea tray; nearby, a clay pot of marinated pork belly releases an aroma rich with memory, evocative of the most poignant Ratatouille moments. Then arrives the pièce de résistance: beef cheek, gently stewed for 16 hours in a nine-pepper sauce. The flavour is so layered, so exquisite, that the entire carriage falls momentarily into a hushed, appreciative reverie.

Meanwhile, Ilma offers five dining venues, ranging from casual bites to refined experiences. Among them is Beach House, where a Latin American-inspired menu is curated in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina. At Memori, guests are guided through a delicate exploration of Japanese cuisine, with dishes such as fresh sashimi and black cod glazed in a subtle miso sauce. Each restaurant features a rotating menu, ensuring the dining experience remains dynamic and engaging. All meals are included, with the exception of Seta su Ilma, Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s fine-dining destination, which offers an elegant tribute to the sea.

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“In my view, the level of service on a cruise ship surpasses that of even the finest hotels,” said Fara. “At a hotel, the experience is usually confined to rest, breakfast, and perhaps a few meals. But on our cruises, the team has far greater opportunity to build relationships with guests. That’s why sustaining culinary innovation is more vital than ever.”

The standard of service and amenities reflects the world’s most prestigious brands. Yet the true beauty of slow travel lies in the quieter moments: stepping onto your private balcony at dawn, uncertain of your location and delighting in the freedom of not needing to know; or reclining on the yacht’s floating terrace, equipped with a bar and caviar station, watching the sun dip below the horizon along the Côte d’Azur.

“Our guests are no longer chasing possessions, but the genuine emotions that travel inspires,” said Murren of Ritz-Carlton. “A remarkable cruise is one where people reconnect with the ocean, with something unexpected, something moving, and can share those discoveries with others.”

Article adapted from the original feature in Tatler Vietnam, April 2025 issue

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