The Experience of a Lifetime
- Dec 30, 2025
- 6 min read
I can't recall many trips I'd taken where I did a month of research. I typically check out the visa situation, book a view tours but leave the itinerary open for whats possible. This trip however, I think I watched every youtube video on the topic to get me aquatinted with what was in stored for me.
The Experience we are talking about is the Ritz Carlton Yatch Experience and I can guarentee you, everything else you do after this will pail in comparison to the experience. I generally hate cruises but I can confirm, this is not that. The Yatch experience stands above anything else I've seen in a long time. Prior to the cruise I'd stayed at one Ritz Carlton property and I can tell you a lot more will be in my future. Where do I begin?
The trip was set up using a concierge that worked directly for the Ritz Carlton and he sent specs of the different room types, etc. There are three yachts, Evrima, Luminara and Ilma. I would be sailing on the Ilma from Fort Lauderdale for five days. I flew in the night before and stayed at the W Fort Lauderdale. The next day I took the taxi to Terminal 26 at Port Everglades where the fun began.
I arrived shortly after 1 PM and was amazed at how seamless the process was. I exited the uber and had my bags tagged to my room. I was then escorted inside to a line of a hundred or more people in suits all exchanging pleasentries on my way to security. Thier was a snack station with beverages and complimentary treats before check in. I then got my room key and was escorted on board. When I got onboard I had someone escort me to my mustard station on deck 5 and then to my room to watch a nine minute safety video. The room was spacious and elaborate and bigger than most hotel rooms might I add and we were on a ship. I had a Signature suite and the Moet upon arrival was a nice touch. Your suite ambassadors then come and introduce themselves and explain to you the services of the room and how to reach them. There is a direct number to your suite ambassadors 24 hours a day and each room gets two.
I hadn't eaten so I managed to get some food while still docked. First meal on the ship was a prawn udon at Beach house and if this was an indication of whats to come, I was in for a treat. The flavor profile on the meal was spectacular. I added a few more items before I elected to take a tour of the entire ship. I needed to familiarize myself with my home for the next few days. Dinner that night was at Tides, I quickly realized I was lured in by luxury but I was really here for the food. Meal after meal, each one surpassing the previous and it was all spectacular. At that point I'd added a five course meal untop of the three course I had earlier so I had no choice but to retire for the night. I familiarized myself with the program and anticipated what was to come for day two.
Day two was a day at sea so I started to build my routine. I had breakfast delivered to the room at 6 AM daily, followed by the 7:30 AM Yoga class then the 8 AM workout. This gave me great energy throughout the day and made me forget about all the food I had eaten prior. I spend the morning on the balcony. This is one of the great things about the ship as each room comes with its own balcony. From the balcony I headed to Memori. I had several types of Sushi and a few off menu items as well. Pro tip, sit at the bar, you won't regret it. After an impressive and incredible meal I headed to the shops to see the offerings. Rolex, Bulgari, Hermes bags, the ship had it all. I might have gotten carried away as well. Later realizing some of the items I bought were gifted to me as a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member. I later realize the gifted items were personalized and different from the ones bought in the shop. I headed down to deck 2 and spend the afternoon on the Marina. The Marina is open for water sports, whether permitted and only when the ship is not in a port. We later moved to the beach bar for drinks. From there, I was back at Tides for afternoon tea. The assortment of sandwiches on the tower as well as the tea was enough to put me out for a few hours. Dinner that evening was spent on the rooftop restaurant Mistral on deck 10. After dinner, I headed to the Living Room for some evening entertainment.
Day three was more of the same. Breakfast and gym routine but today we were docled in Great Exuma. I'm not a fan of tether boats so I chose to sit this one out. The appeal of swiming with the pigs was interesting but not interesting enough for me to brave the choppy seas. I used the time to tour the ship. I went back to the Living room for cookies and coffee as well as the Marina deck for some sun. The Marina was not set up for water sports today but a makeship balcony with seating to soak up the sun. Most other guests were on the roof by one of the two pools. The rooftoop pool is always open but the pool on the lower level is only opened while docked. Later that night I went back to Memori for a four course meal followed by entertainment in the Living Room.
Day four started with much of the same exept I added a coffee to the mix. I went to the living room to have coffee as I knew I would go off the sip for a tour. We were docked in Nassau that day and I made the best of it. I got back onto the ship in time to do Paint and Sip. This was my first time doing the event and I cant wait to do another one, who knew I was so artistic. Being out for the day meant I didnt eat as much so I doubled down on dinner. I had a three course meal first at Memori and then moved to another three course at the Beach House. I was stockpiling energy to be a party animal at the white party on the roof that night. I had a great time and danced the night away with a lovely 80 year old that extended the greatest courtesy to me. She saw me sitting alone and was convinced no one should be alone ever and invited me to sit with her family. Then when I told her I don't dance she was not having any of it and then proceeded not only to give me lessons but explain to me to take every chance in life as its not always promised. Safe to say, I'm a dancer now. (Not good but i'll try)
Day five was slightly different. I had breakfast at deck 10 at Mistral as I got back to my room too late to order breakfast. I then went to the library on Deck 5 to read the travels by Marco Polo, a book I later bought. (On Amazon, not the ship) Today we were docked off of Bimini and I was in between minds. I'd been to Bimini so the repeat felt unnecessary so I went to the Marina for watersports. I eventually took the tether to shore and realized we were on the North Coast of Bimini, a place where I hadn't been. All in all it was shortlived as I went back to the ship shortly after. Setting sail was bitter sweet as it was my last night on the ship. I had one more order of business and it was the nine course tasting menu at Seta Su Ilma. It is the only restaurant onboard thats not included in the upfront cost but is worth every penny. It is the brainchild of Fabio Trabocci and it's an experience worth trying. Afterwards I headed to the roof for stargazing. Seta Su Ilma ended up being a ten course meal as a cake was left in my room as a thank you for visiting the restaurant.
The next day we had to disembark by 8 AM in preparation for the next set of guests but I genuinely enjoyed my time aboard. I was able to speak to guest services to keep the momentum going and secure a future trip on Evrima. Until next time, this was hands down the best thing I did the entire 2025.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any parties mentioned. None of the entities mentioned has reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content listed in this post.
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