The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has confirmed another delay in the delivery of its first luxury yacht. The new cruise line’s maiden ship, Evrima, was expected to enter service in mid-June 2020 but delays at the Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard in Spain have seen that date now pushed out until 22 April 2021.
It’s the second major hiccup for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which was originally slated to be in fully operational by now. Evrima, which was also originally named Azora, had been earmarked to launch in February 2020 before the company delayed the inaugural cruise by four months in October 2019.
Evrima is the first of three ultra-luxury yachts for the company.
This latest rescheduling is a major blow for the brand which, effective last November, had sold out the first 11 departures of 2020 and a handful of 2021 sailings, as LATTE exclusively revealed.
The handover schedule of Evrima has been in doubt since late last year due to a restructure of Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard. And while Spain is currently in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the COVID-19 health crisis has not been cited as the cause for this new extended setback.
Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection apologised to guests who were preparing for the upcoming launch.
“We remain deeply committed to ensuring a seamless delivery of the standards of quality and service that The Ritz-Carlton is known for as well as providing a highly customised, state-of-the-art build that will make our inaugural yacht the most distinctive of its kind,” Prothero said.
In a statement, Ritz-Carlton yacht said the majority of shareholders of the Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard have agreed to hand over control to Cruise Yacht Yard Co Ltd, itself being an affiliated entity to Evrima’s owner, Cruise Yacht 1 Ltd, which is also led by Douglas Prothero. This strategy will enable Cruise Yacht 1 Ltd to provide oversight of the shipyard.
“The new structure will ensure the timely completion of Evrima,” the statement added.
A spokesperson for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection told LATTE that the cruise line would also be “advancing our plans on yachts two and three”.
Evrima‘s inaugural sailing is now set sail for 22 April, 2021 from Lisbon, Portugal to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Guests affected by this shift in timing will be offered the opportunity to reschedule their voyage.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is reaching out to guests who have been booked on voyages between 14 June 2020 and 21 April 2021. Voyage fare savings have been extended to guests who reschedule their voyage, or alternatively they will be able eligible for the full reimbursement for their voyage fare paid to date. Guests holding independent air and hotel arrangements may also be reimbursed for change or cancellation fees assessed.
In addition, travel advisors’ commissions will be protected in the amount equal to the commission that would have been earned on the cruise-only fare had the cruise not been cancelled.
Guests and travel agents can also contact The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection via the reservation lines below:
Americas and Australia:
(833) 999-7292 (U.S. & Canada) or +1 (305) 907-7099 (Outside the U.S. & Canada)
Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 11pm ET; Saturday: 10am to 6pm ET; Sunday: 10am to 6pm ET
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