The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's first cruise ship will leave Fort Lauderdale for its maiden voyage. The first ship of its kind (sponsored by a chain of luxury hotels), it promises a vacation at sea of unparalleled standing. See for yourself and book your place with a travel agency...
Every detail designed for the exception...
The 190-metre-long boat will accommodate 298 privileged passengers in opulence, who will find in the 149 suites the comfort of the Ritz-Carlton hotels. For example, each has its own private terrace. The aim is to create the atmosphere of a private superyacht for each of the hosts and hostesses, who will be able to meet in the restaurants, observation lounge and solarium. Check
prestige-yachts.com/ for more about superyahcts.
In addition, the Ritz-Carlton spa will also be on board, as well as a restaurant run by three-star Michelin chef Sven Elverfeld (Ritz-Carlton of Wolsburg). The hand-picked staff will be almost as numerous as the passengers.
The itineraries
The maiden voyage was also designed to be exceptional. The cruise ship will not pass twice in the same place on the globe and brings together in one year the classics of sea travel: Caribbean, Mediterranean, far north... Finally, a luxury excursion agency has been selected to organize the shore excursions.
Cruises: towards less pollution
Cruises are on the upswing and travel agencies are still counting as many participants. In fact, the Mediterranean Sea is visited by several hundred cruise ships every year, representing more than two million passengers. However, fuel standards in the Mediterranean are not as high as in other seas. Nevertheless, our agency is keen to dispel a myth about pollution from cruise ships and explain that many measures are being taken to reduce emissions.
What is polluting?
There is a common misconception that cruise ships pollute more than all the passenger cars on the road in Europe. In fact, the prism is different. Cars mainly emit CO2, which is a greenhouse gas, whereas cruise ships emit "heavy" gases, such as sulphur, which is more important in the unrefined fuel oils these ships consume. While greenhouse gases are part of the well-known "greenhouse effect", sulphur-based gases are primarily harmful to health and the environment. The sulphur dioxide formed is diluted in water, which can cause acid rain that corrodes materials, irritates the skin and destroys plants. It also attacks mucous membranes, making it dangerous in urban areas and for the passengers on these ships.
What are the future measures?
Don't panic! In 2019 the alarm bell has been rung, and new international regulations are due to come into force soon to reduce the maximum sulphur content in fuel oils by seven and then five times, from the current 3.5% to 0.1%.
Moreover, in Marseilles on 17 October, four ship owners representing 85% of cruise ship traffic, the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition, the PACA region, the Aix-Marseille Provence metropolitan area and the port of Marseilles-Fos signed a "blue charter" aimed at reducing pollution from cruises.