It’s already four o’clock! The tender manoeuvres into Mallorca’s marina with six passengers on board: two English sisters, a couple from Chicago, an Italian and me. We’ve lost track of time among the crystalline coves of the Balearics’ largest island, and now we’re late getting back to Luminara, Ritz-Carlton’s latest superyacht, which we boarded in Barcelona last night. Nobody else seems preoccupied with our delay, but I can’t get a nightmarish anecdote from a few months ago out of my mind.

Eight passengers on the Norwegian Dawn, en route from Cape Town to Barcelona, were delayed by an hour returning from an outing to São Tomé. Although the ship was still refuelling in the port, they were denied entry – a decision which forced them to cross six African nations in a week, without luggage or money, in hopes of reboarding. Pleasant as today’s travelling companions seem, I would still rather make it to Rome, our final destination. Once at the port, striding purposefully towards the gangway, someone from the company calls out to me: “No need to rush, we won’t leave without you!”

I should have known. From the outset, Luminara has done things differently. Boarding – often the most tedious part of a cruise – took just 35 minutes from the Arts Hotel on Barceloneta beach, thanks to meticulous organisation and a smaller-than-usual number of passengers (the ship can accommodate 452 at maximum capacity). Ten minutes later, our suitcases had already reached our cabin on Deck Six – and what a cabin it was. A suite bigger than most hotel rooms, with two walk-in wardrobes, a bathtub and a balcony large enough to accommodate two sun loungers, two armchairs and a table.

The name Luminara derives from the Latin word for light, which radiates throughout the boat’s 242 metres. In the common areas, conceived by Chapi Chapo Design, clever use of walnut accents and Arabescato Corchia marble blends with a palette of soft blues, warm greys, bronze and ruby. Reflective finishes and sculptural lighting create diaphanous overlays on each level, a magnificent setting for the 731 works of art on display. Renowned artists such as Paul Klee, David Hockney, Alexander Calder, Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol are included, and there are new works, too: some 65 per cent of them were commissioned specifically for the yacht to emphasise its spirit of exploration, from symbolic lighthouses to delicate depictions of the Maltese hawk moth.

Perhaps the finest works of art aboard, however, come from the kitchens of the superyacht’s five restaurants. Of particular note is Seta su Luminara, where Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi has created an eight-course tasting menu inspired by Venice’s historic spice trade. Miso-glazed lobster on tomato water, Alaskan king crab with yuzu and ikura caviar, Hokkaido scallops, smoked langoustines, and slow-braised Wagyu arrive in quick succession, leaving those lucky enough to taste them floating on air.

You’ll want to eat nothing else, but the other options are just as tempting: Azur, home to seasonal ingredients and regional influences; Mistral, which pays homage to Mediterranean coastal cuisine with fresh seafood and grilled meats; Beach House, created with Michael Mina and focusing on Middle Eastern flavours rooted in the chef’s Egyptian heritage; and Haesu Bit, a pan-Asian spot celebrating Luminara’s upcoming destinations, such as Japan. However, with all due respect to the people of Okinawa, hara hachi bu – the method that promotes moderation in eating – has no place here. Not once did we leave the dinner table feeling anything less than full.

As the first rays of sunlight glint off the metal details on the balcony, we embark on our first full day at sea. The programme, printed each day on lush stationery (the devil is in the details), is packed with Pilates, a skincare masterclass, a cooking demonstration and art-themed guided tours – although one may be tempted to dedicate the day to feet-in-the-water lazing instead. The first swimming pool, raised above Deck 10, offers a magnificent view of the Mediterranean; the second, at the rear of the ship, has the feel of a private beach club. Guests can swim directly into the sea from the marina, and two Jacuzzis complete the selection. Even when the ship is fully booked, it feels pleasantly private. The spa is equally stunning, occupying 11 cabins’ worth of space and offering treatments inspired by the boat’s planned itineraries in the Asia-Pacific, utilising ESPA, 111SKIN and Pisterzi products.

After making our way from Corsica to Sardinia, Italy beckons from across a clement sea. Travelling at a speed of 17.6 knots, with extremely quiet technology and anti-roll systems, we are only a few hours away from Rome, and we are already sad to be leaving. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, with its exceptional service, has the power to convert even the most reluctant sailors. Around 50 per cent of its guests are first-time cruisers, a number that has increased since Ritz-Carlton paved the way from terrestrial hospitality to waterborne palaces. “When Evrima set sail in 2022, Ritz-Carlton became the first luxury hotel brand to enter the world of yachting,” says Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International. Since then, a number of hotel groups across the globe have made plans to launch their own ships, including Four Seasons, Orient Express, Aman and Waldorf Astoria.

Following its inaugural voyage in the Mediterranean, Luminara will sail in Africa and the Indian Ocean, before debuting its Asia-Pacific itineraries in December. These trips will whisk travellers away to iconic cities and heritage treasures such as Osaka, Bangkok and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. In May 2026, the superyacht will head to Alaska and Canada for the summer. It’s a remarkably diverse itinerary and further proof that Luminara does things differently – and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

Images: © The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Scott Clark