The senior brass at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection lauded the support of travel trade partners during the christening ceremony last week of the ultra-luxury brand’s third yacht, Luminara.
Ernesto Fara, President of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection praised the participation of “many fine travel partners” from around the world, with executives from the likes of Signature Travel Network, American Express, and other leading luxury groups present.
“It means a great deal to have you onboard experiencing Luminara,” Fara said to the assembled guests at the Pool Bar during the christening ceremony.
“We hope to not only extend your expectations but to inspire confidence in recommending us to your clients, friends and family,” he said.
“We remain so deeply committed to creating transformative experiences that stay with you long after the journey ends.”
Jim Murren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Ritz-Cartlon Yacht Collection said the depth and quality of guests invited and participating on the Preview Sailing of Luminara “is a testament to the fleet that we’ve now created at the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
“We’re so proud and excited to share this moment with you.”
Guests invited to attend from Australia included Brent Wallace from SmartFlyer Australia and Kendal Thomas from American Express, alongside The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Seb Seward, VP and GM Asia Pacific for the brand and Anastasia Kotanidis, Director, Travel Partnerships – Australia & New Zealand. LATTE was also proud to be the sole Australia media attending the preview cruise.
165,000 applicants for 470 jobs
The quality of the guests on the 3-night ‘shakedown’ sailing was also reciprocated in the chosen Ladies and Gentleman aboard Luminara. Murren explained that a whopping 165,000 men and women applied to work abroad the 452-passenger mega yacht.
“We chose 470 Ladies and Gentleman to serve you as we sail out into the seas,” he said.
Murren applauded the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard as being the “best shipyard in the world” to align with for the construction of Luminara, and praised the ongoing support of the brand’s shareholders and lenders for “staying by us and being with us.”
He further thanks Marriott International, as a “partner since the inception” and who have helped train the Ladies and Gentlemen of the brand, who “helped conceive the imagination and truly created magic.”
“That vision and unwavering belief that we can accomplish something new and unique on sea has been our success.
Murren ended recognising Ritz-Carlton Yacht’s President Fara, saying “It has been his visions, unwavering commitment, quality and excellence in luxury to help create not only Luminara, but the company that we have today at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.”
“He understands true luxury and that is about connections. Connections with people.”
