Monte Carlo shimmered a little brighter on Thursday 3rd July as The Ritz‑Carlton’s newest superyacht, Luminara, dropped anchor in Port Hercule for an exclusive inauguration soirée. With Prince Albert II stepping aboard, flutes of champagne flowing, and live music drifting over the Principality, the 794‑foot floating palace unveiled itself in true Monegasque style.
Fresh from its Spanish christening and star-studded voyage between Rome and Malta, Luminara cruised into Monaco with serious swagger. Just days before, Kendall Jenner, Naomi Campbell, Orlando Bloom, Sofia Vergara and even Martha Stewart — shaking up her signature “Martha‑ritas”— were spotted enjoying sundowners on the teak decks. Music came courtesy of Sting, Ellie Goulding and Janelle Monáe, while Tom Brady showed off his sea legs in style.
Decked out like no other
Built like a five-star hotel and styled like a superyacht, Luminara boasts 224 sea-view suites with private terraces, two palatial upper decks that clock in at nearly 100m², and a jaw-dropping guest-to-crew ratio.
Five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault and a private marina are just the start — there’s even a floating lounge platform for sipping rosé just inches above the Med.
Inside the design of Luminara: where sea meets gallery
Luminara’s striking form is no accident. Designed by the Finnish studio Aivan, its curvaceous silhouette takes cues from elegant private motor yachts, while the interiors were masterfully composed by London’s AD Associates and Canada’s Chapi Chapo Design. Lighting throughout the vessel was created by DPA of the UK, delivering a refined ambience both day and night.
The aesthetic is unapologetically luxurious yet tranquil, drawing directly from its maritime setting. Soft hues of ocean blue and stone grey are paired with walnut wood finishes, bronze touches, and shimmering Arabescato Corchia marble. Reflective surfaces and curved architectural elements guide the eye and echo the movement of the sea, creating what Ritz‑Carlton calls a “residential calm” across each of the 224 sea-view suites.
Luminara is also a floating art gallery. Over 700 works adorn the walls, with more than half created exclusively for the yacht.
Among them are pieces by Miro, Klee, Calder, Hockney, and Warhol. Public spaces and suites alike are outfitted with furniture by luxury brands such as Minotti, Giorgetti and Poltrona Frau, reinforcing the vessel’s seamless blend of hotel-level comfort and bespoke yacht flair.
Ritz‑Carlton’s bold push into the open sea
Luminara is the third vessel in The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection’s growing fleet, following the launches of Evrima in 2022 and Ilma in 2024. With each new yacht, the brand is redefining ultra-luxury cruising for the hotel loyalist. But it’s not just about aesthetics and service — it’s about geography too.
This year, Luminara will sail across the Mediterranean before exploring the Adriatic and Greek Isles, eventually heading to the Canary Islands. In 2026, the yacht will make a major leap into the Asia‑Pacific region, then on to Alaska and Canada — destinations rarely associated with five-star, boutique cruising.
As the competition heats up, with rivals like Four Seasons, Explora Journeys and Aman also debuting floating luxury residences, The Ritz‑Carlton’s maritime expansion is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious hospitality evolutions in recent memory. With Luminara, it is clear the brand is no longer just dipping its toes in the water — it is making waves.
Monaco Life was there! See more in Cassandra Tanti’s video reel below…
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See also:
On board ‘Ilma’: The Ritz-Carlton launches luxurious maiden voyage from Monaco
Main photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life