The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection marked a significant construction milestone this week with a steel-cutting ceremony for its newest superyacht, Luminara, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Luminara is the company’s third yacht and second newbuild constructed by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, slated to set sail in 2025.
The commemorative cutting of the first piece of steel is a timeless maritime tradition that signifies the official commencement of construction.
Taking part in the momentous celebration were Jim Murren, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; Ernesto Fara, President and CFO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique; and Arnaud Le Joncour, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Chantiers de l’Atlantique, alongside other key guests involved in the project.
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“As the latest superyacht in our growing fleet starts to take shape, we gratefully acknowledge the tremendous efforts of all those involved in the construction of Luminara,” said Murren. “Our deepest appreciation goes out to Chantiers de l’Atlantique and the exceptional teams who have joined us on this remarkable journey, propelling us to this exciting milestone as we open new horizons for our guests to explore the world’s most coveted destinations.”
Luminara, derived from Spanish origin and meaning “child of the stars,” will measure 242 metres, mirroring sister yacht, Ilma, which is earmarked to sail in 2024, and will accommodate up to 448 guests in 224 spacious suites.
“We take great pride in continuing this time-honoured shipbuilding tradition and taking a pivotal stride towards the unveiling of the next extraordinary yacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” said ArnaudLe Joncour, SVP of Sales and Marketing for Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Together, we celebrate this special occasion and continued collaboration with visionary teams on a project that promises to be at the forefront of the ultra-luxury sector.”
Designed with enhanced environmental features and technologies to minimise ecological impact, the custom-built superyacht will be the second vessel in the collection to be equipped with four dual-fuel engines and utilise liquified natural gas (LNG) as its primary fuel source, reducing emissions compared to traditional practices.
Reservations for the 2025 season of Luminara itineraries will open later this year. Luminara will join Ilma and Evrima, the company’s first yacht that launched in October 2022, on itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Voyages will range from seven- to 10-nights and offer an all-inclusive experience.