The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Introduces Its Summer 2028 Mediterranean & Northern Europe Season

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection announced its Summer 2028 European itineraries, featuring 52 voyages aboard Evrima and Ilma across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Sailing from late April through October 2028, the season takes guests from the lively coastlines of the Mediterranean to the dramatic fjords and rugged landscapes of Northern Europe, revealing the unique character of each region through thoughtfully paced journeys at sea, balancing unhurried days on board with immersive exploration ashore.

From the colorful fishing villages of the Italian Riviera and the whitewashed islands of the Aegean to Norway's majestic fjords and Iceland's volcanic scenery, the Summer 2028 voyages showcase the breadth of Europe's coastal regions. Two new ports of call, Gijón, Spain and Portovenere, Italy, expand the season’s offerings, alongside greater exploration of the Greek Isles and the Adriatic aboard Ilma. Voyages range from four to nine nights, including roundtrip departures from Rome, Monte Carlo, Athens, Venice, and Reykjavík.

While the Mediterranean unfolds through island villages, centuries-old ports, and vibrant culinary traditions, Northern Europe delivers a striking contrast. Aboard Evrima, itineraries sail through Norway's UNESCO-listed fjords, the medieval capitals of the Baltics, and Iceland's volcanic terrain, where scenic sail-ins and extraordinary natural beauty become as memorable as the destinations themselves. Together, the season presents two distinct perspectives on Europe, each shaped by the landscapes and cultures that bring it to life.

“The destinations our guests remember most are often the ones where they form the strongest connections, with the places they visit, the people they meet, and the moments they experience along the way,” said Ernesto Fara, President & Chief Executive Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “Our Summer 2028 season reflects that belief, bringing together itineraries that encourage guests to spend more time engaging with each place in a way that feels personal and authentic. We believe those connections are what transform a voyage into an experience that stays with them long after they return home.”

The journey continues ashore through Pre-Designed Private Excursions, Select Group Excursions, and Custom Private Excursions, tailored to individual interests and inviting a deeper exploration of each destination. In the Mediterranean, guests can sail along the Portofino coastline to the secluded bay of San Fruttuoso, harvest oysters from the seabed at a family-owned farm in Mali Ston Bay, take in Mallorca from above by helicopter before a guided winery tasting, or explore the volcanic terrain of Milos by Jeep. Northern Europe provides opportunities to soar over Iceland's waterfalls, lava fields, and glaciers by helicopter with a remote landing or discover the artistry of French caviar through a private tasting paired with Champagne at an eco-friendly estate in Bordeaux. Each experience creates a more intimate perspective on its destination, connecting guests with the landscapes, craftsmanship, and local expertise that define it.

Highlights on Evrima include:

May 14, 2028 | 7-Night Nice to Rome

From Nice to Rome, this voyage traces coastlines that have drawn artists, writers, and travelers for generations. Spend a morning wandering Cannes on the French Riviera before continuing to Italy, where Portofino's colorful harbor and Portovenere's shoreline seem almost untouched by time. On the island of Elba, historic fortifications rise above quiet coves and crystalline waters, offering a glimpse into a different side of Mediterranean life.

July 12, 2028 | 9-Night London to Copenhagen

Summer days stretch along Norway's coastline, where colorful harbors, mountain-framed fjords, and waterside villages shape the journey from Haugesund to Geiranger. Scenic sailings through one of Norway's most breathtaking fjords reveal towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, while Kristiansand and Aalborg offer a glimpse into Scandinavian urban life before the itinerary concludes in Copenhagen.

Highlights on Ilma include:

May 9, 2028 | 7-Night Athens Round Trip

Days unfold among some of the Aegean's most storied islands, from the whitewashed lanes of Mykonos to the dramatic views of Santorini's caldera. In Patmos, life moves at a gentle pace, while the quiet beauty of Amorgos and Nafplio's waterfront cafés and neoclassical streets invite lingering exploration before returning to Athens.

July 27, 2028 | 7-Night Rome Round Trip

Leaving Rome behind, you'll find yourself among Valletta's honey-colored historic streets and sunlit squares, where café terraces spill into lively squares. In Taormina, Mount Etna remains in view beyond the rooftops, while Amalfi's steep lanes, lemon groves, and sweeping coastal views invite a slower look. Before returning to Rome, a final island call brings dramatic cliffs, tucked-away coves, and the relaxed pace of southern Italy into view.

The Ritz-Carlton Welcomes MERIT Beauty for Its First-Ever Hospitality Partnership

The Ritz-Carlton today announces an exclusive partnership with MERIT Beauty marking the beloved beauty brand’s first hospitality collaboration. Launching July 14, the partnership brings together intentional beauty and legendary hospitality through a series of curated guest experiences, including co-branded Ritz-Carlton Club® activations, personalized in-room beauty services, and limited-edition travel kits designed to complement every stage of the journey.

The collaboration, which will be available at select North America Ritz-Carlton destinations – including Toronto, Santa Barbara, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Naples, Los Angeles, and New York, Nomad – brings these experiences to guests across key travel markets for a limited time. Each activation is designed to integrate seamlessly into the rhythm of a stay, offering new ways to discover, shop, and engage with MERIT throughout the hotel environment, with select products and exclusive kits also available on meritbeauty.com, inviting guests to bring the experience home and carry it with them wherever they go.

Rooted in The Ritz-Carlton’s legacy of anticipatory service and MERIT’s philosophy of refined simplicity, the collaboration brings together two brands aligned in their commitment to thoughtful design and uncompromising quality. Since its launch, MERIT has quickly become a go-to for modern, minimalist beauty, known for its curated, edited approach to essentials designed for everyday life. Together, the partnership feels both elevated and deeply personal, with every detail – from arrival to turndown – crafted to evoke a sense of ease, discovery, and quiet indulgence.

“MERIT shares our belief that true luxury is found in the details,” said George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, The Ritz-Carlton. “This collaboration allows us to introduce exclusive, thoughtfully designed experiences, especially within our Ritz-Carlton Club® Lounges, where guests can engage with the brand in a way that feels personal, elevated, and distinctly Ritz-Carlton. It’s a natural extension of how we continue to evolve the guest experience.”

Throughout the summer and fall, guests will encounter a series of immersive experiences designed to unfold throughout their stay:

From the Club Lounge to Your Room

At select properties, Club Level guests are invited to discover a co-branded beauty cart within the lounge space, featuring complimentary MERIT essentials including the Great Skin Serum, Great Skin Double Cleanse, new Clean Volume Mascara, and Flush Balm. At select locations, MERIT beauty educators will be on-site, offering personalized guidance and fostering moments of discovery and connection.

Available through in-room dining, these curated beauty bundles feature MERIT’s signature essentials in a custom pouch. Designed for simplicity and ease, they bring an effortless approach to getting ready without ever leaving the room.

Signature Moments Throughout the Stay

The partnership unfolds through a series of elevated, unexpected touches: from co-branded turndown amenities, including chocolates and skincare samples, to a bespoke “Minimalist Martini” served across participating properties, pairing a signature cocktail with a sample of MERIT’s Retrospect fragrance.

As MERIT’s first hospitality partnership, the collaboration marks a milestone for the brand – expanding its presence beyond the vanity and into the rhythms of everyday life. Designed to meet guests wherever they are, the experience reflects a shared belief: that the most meaningful luxuries are the ones that feel personal, intuitive, and lasting.

“MERIT creates products that are meant to live with you, especially when you’re on the go, so partnering in the hospitality space is a natural step for us – and who better to partner with than an iconic brand like The Ritz-Carlton,” said Aila Morin, Chief Marketing Officer of MERIT Beauty. “Their emphasis on in-person connection and discovery, while keeping luxury top of mind, is completely aligned with the way we connect with our community.”

Limited-Edition Travel Kits

Guests can bring the experience beyond the stay with a limited-edition MERIT travel kit, available both in-room and on meritbeauty.com. Designed for life on the go, each kit features a curated edit of MERIT’s signature essentials, including the Great Skin Serum, Great Skin Double Cleanse, Clean Volume Mascara, and bestselling Flush Balm in Postmodern, housed in a custom co-branded pouch and accompanied by an exclusive keychain. Thoughtfully assembled for ease and portability, the kit reflects MERIT’s streamlined approach to beauty while extending the feeling of the stay into everyday routines.

The Ritz-Carlton Debuts in Turks & Caicos, Bringing the Ultimate in Seaside Luxury to the World-Renowned Grace Bay

The Iconic Hospitality Brand Proudly Welcomes Guests to The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, Inviting Them to Delight in the Destination

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is pleased to announce the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, marking the debut of the iconic luxury hospitality brand in this island paradise. Situated on the world-famous Grace Bay in Providenciales, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos offers an idyllic tropical getaway, seamlessly blending the natural beauty of the destination with the legendary service and elegant accommodations for which The Ritz-Carlton brand is known.

“We are thrilled to expand our global portfolio with the debut of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, a destination known for its stunning natural environment, which has long served as an alluring retreat for the world’s most discerning travelers,” said Donna McNamara, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, The Ritz-Carlton. “Whether enjoying a sunset sail or family snorkel from the resort’s private catamaran, Lady Grace, to relaxing poolside, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos offers the perfect opportunity for our guests to recharge and reconnect while making lasting memories.”


Arjun Channa Appointed General Manager At The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas,

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An Indian-born Canadian, Channa's career has taken him all over the globe. Channa speaks six languages, allowing him to bridge cultures with ease. After studying hospitality in Neufchatel, Switzerland, he began his career in Algeria, working in Stewarding. Channa then moved to United Arab Emirates, where he worked in various Food & Beverage roles for Starwood, leading him to his first Director of Food & Beverage position at the Great Wall Sheraton in Beijing, China. A few more leadership moves led him back to UAE, to Kenya, and then back to China where he served as the Hotel Manager at the Sheraton Sanya Resort.

Channa took on his first General Manager role at Le Meridien Port Vila Resort & Casino in Vanuatu, followed by another GM assignment at the Sheraton Udaipur Palace Resort & Spa in India. He then served as Task Force General Manager for Starwood's Brand Assurance Team as well as the Acquisition & Development Team, both for South Asia. Arjun then moved his family to the Americas, taking the role of Hotel Manager at the Sheraton Centre Toronto. It was during this time that he gained experience in the Caribbean as the Task Force General Manager at the Westin Aruba Resort & Casino, as well as the W Vieques Resort in Puerto Rico.

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Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach appoints new executive sous chef, Jeremy Degras joins after working with Marriott International

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Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach has announced the appointment of Jeremy Degras as its new executive sous chef. He will be part of the team responsible for exploring new menu options, while maintaining the resort’s ‘island-inspired cuisine’. Degras will spend most of his time at the flagship Shore House restaurant, using a range of locally-sourced seafood in his dishes.

Degras has previously held culinary positions in a number of hotels and restaurants globally including; Scape Lounge Restaurant & Terrace in the Burj Al Arab, Restaurant Le Quartier Gourmand, a Michelin-starred venue in Tournus, France and the two-starred restaurant, Monte-Carlo-Bay Hotel in Monaco. He leaves his previous position in Marriott International’s Grosvenor House Luxury Collection’s Siddharta Lounge.

“We are delighted to welcome chef Jeremy Degras to our team. He will be leading a vibrant culinary team and working with them to enhance the property’s dining portfolio to create memorable dining experiences for our valued guests”, said Tracey Oliver, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre has appointed Mauro Gomez to the role of head executive chef

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An Argentinian national, Gomez has worked all over the world including spells in Vietnam, Miami, and Maldives, as well as overseeing more than 50 of celebrity chef Richard Sandoval’s restaurants worldwide.

Gomez will be in overall charge of the five distinctive restaurants and dining experiences at the DIFC hotel.

Tareq Derbas, general manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre commented: “We are very pleased to welcome chef Gomez to The Ritz-Carlton DIFC team. He carries extensive knowledge and passion that can transcend our guests through an unforgettable culinary experience. We are very honoured that he can join us in Dubai to share his culinary heritage and expertise with our valued guests.”