Just Back From…the Caribbean with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

On first impressions:
Amy: “This was my first cruise so I didn't really know what to expect, and I have to admit, I can often be underwhelmed by things. But knowing the brand, my expectations were high and from the moment we walked onboard, I cannot express just how beautiful everything was. And it wasn’t only the physical beauty, but the service, too. Everybody was so unbelievably kind.”

On the beauty of a three-day cruise:
Amy: “Right from the beginning, there's no time wasted getting acclimated. You truly have everything you need right there, and you're getting to see different places over the course of three days. I think this is a really good alternative to long weekend travel because you can do so much in that short amount of time.”

Rachel: “We both have husbands and kids at home so this was a way to take a short getaway and not feel like you’re gone for too long, but still come back revived. We flew out Sunday morning, boarded the ship, disembarked on Wednesday, and were home by seven o'clock that evening.”

On the level of service: 

Rachel: “They’re not crew members, they're not staff—they’re called the ‘Ladies and Gentlemen of the  Ritz-Carlton.’ They were so personal and personable. They wanted to get to know you and make sure they knew your preferences—and they remembered everything. They claimed the staff-guest ratio was about one to one, and it was. You felt it.”

Amy: “We also had a suite ambassador who was dedicated to providing whatever we needed so there was that personal connection, too.” 

On the ship style:

Amy: “It definitely is consistent with the vibe of the Ritz-Carlton brand. The space, the color palette, the decor—it all was understated, refined elegance. There was nothing glitzy or pretentious about it. Subtle details were everywhere.”

On the private suites:
Rachel: “They were beautiful, luxurious, and thoughtful. Even the entry level suites had plenty of space for two adults and the dual sinks in the bathroom were key. There was a button next to the bed so you could open the blinds to the balcony—all the rooms have spacious terraces. There were motion sensor lights underneath your nightstand. And oh the soap! All the bathroom amenities were by Diptyque.”

On the dining scene:
Rachel: “There are five restaurants, plus ensuite dining and a café. Every single thing was lovely—from the gelato to the grilled octopus to our morning charcuterie board.”

Amy: “We had dinner at the Beach House one night and at Tides the second night. At Beach House, Rachel and I shared the croquetas to start, and I had the Lobster Salad, followed by the Pollo Asado. At Tides, I began with a Hearts of Palm Salad and had the Seafood Risotto for my main course. Naturally, we had dessert each night, but a delightful surprise at Tides was the beautiful tray of Petit Fours presented at the end of every meal.”

Rachel: “On our last night at Tides, there was a piano player who all of a sudden started singing Happy Birthday. And it just so happened that it was for the man right next to us. Then the ladies and gentleman came over to wish him a happy birthday. It was just so special, and you felt like you were part of it. Every connection we made really felt very personal, even with the other guests.”

On the VIP treatment:
Rachel: “During our first afternoon, we wanted to have a late lunch at Mistral. That’s when we met Ika, our ‘Lady,’ and she really took us in. She wasn't just our lunch server—she told us everything that we needed to know about reservations. She told us about the spaces. She told us about every aspect of the ship. We sought her out and made sure to have breakfast with her the next couple mornings. She was just as excited to see us as we were excited to see her!”

On the biggest surprise:
Amy:  “The amount of space was unbelievable. There were maybe 450 people on the ship, but there was capacity for so many more. You could always find nooks and places that were empty at all times of the day.” 

On visiting Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda: 

Rachel: “We wanted to see if it would be suitable for our clients—the answer is 150 percent yes! If you want to get away from it all, the vibe here is all private luxury. They have about 40 to 50 villas right now, and they’re building up to well over 100. They're also building an over-the-water spa that they're hoping to open this season. The staff was incredible and extremely attentive. They have a barn where the property owner rehabilitates animals, so we got to feed horses and emus—just some of the little touches in this luxurious environment.”

On visiting Christopher St. Barths: 

Amy: “It was so secluded and protected with greenery—like you’re in your own private space even though the suites are connected. Every suite was ocean-facing, and the pool is right over the beach. We were both so impressed with the spa. No need for background music—they open the windows so you’re lulled into relaxation by the gentle sounds of the ocean. We had lunch at La Plage de Chris, where the tables are as close to the ocean as you can possibly get. The attentive service and delicious food made it a truly special afternoon.”

On what they’d do differently next time:
Rachel: “Take another day at sea to just enjoy the ship! We wished we could experience the water toys, spend more time in the restaurants, and explore every nook and cranny.”