Travel Trends 2023: Yachts from Hotel Brands

The announcement of a new breed of luxury yachts from the world’s leading hotel brands has been long-awaited, with loyal clients eager to take to the seas in the comfort and style their on-land counterparts have become known for. The dream has already become a reality thanks to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionEvrima, the most sophisticated and expensive civilian ship ever built in Spain, was launched last October. CEO Douglas Prothero is passionate about explaining how these new experiences will differ from what we’ve come to know about cruising: “Nine out of 10 of our guests have never been on a cruise before, that just shows the type of client we are dealing with. You won’t find things like casinos on board, we want guests to explore the places we visit rather than spend all their time on board."    

This is just the beginning of what we can expect to see from the luxury cruise world. At the end of 2022, Four Seasons confirmed the launch of a cruise ship with 95 suites. Its motto? “Love makes waves”. Although the first cruises won’t start until 2025, customers will be able to buy tickets from the end of 2023. Four Seasons Yacht’s first itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean will be centered around breathtaking destinations that offer highly bespoke shore experiences, as well as one-of-a-kind overland adventures. Aman will launch its 600-foot luxury yacht in 2025, Aman’s Project Sama, with just 50 suites and partnered with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Belmond was a pioneer, launching its river-focused péniche-hôtels in 2004. But the beloved LVMH’s travel brand has news for 2023 too: Next summer, the Coquelicot will be launched as an updated version of the iconic Belmond's Hirondelle barge. Three suites for a maximum of six people, with prices starting from $81,500 per week and a complete and luxury itinerary through the Champagne region. The trend is not exclusive to luxury brands, California boutique hotel company Nomada Hotel Group launched Nomada at Sea, a 62 ft Lagoon, outfitted with Waterworks fixtures, Pierre Frey upholstery, Matouk linens and Janus et Cie furnishing. All the style and luxury you expect from a private yacht in the intimacy of a catamaran.

Sea travel just got swankier.