The Luminara vessel. Photo source: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Heraklion, Crete – The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is entering Greek waters for the first time this year, bringing its ultra-luxury cruise experience to a series of Aegean and Ionian destinations – and introducing an innovative check-in model designed to elevate and streamline guest embarkation.
Speaking at the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF) in Heraklion, Crete, Spyros Almpertis, Vice President of Port and Destination Operations at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, announced that the brand will launch a new check-in process on May 18, using the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens instead of the busy Piraeus cruise terminal.
“We’ll welcome guests at the cultural center in the morning, offer them access to the Opera House, the library, and local gastronomy, while conducting check-in procedures on site,” Almpertis said. “Once the yacht is ready in Piraeus, guests will be called and transferred directly, minimizing congestion and ensuring a relaxed start to their journey.”
Spyros Almpertis, Vice President of Port and Destination Operations at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, speaking during the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum (PSTF). Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)
This marks a first in Greece for the Miami-headquartered cruise brand, which blends the service culture of Ritz-Carlton hotels with the intimacy of small-ship travel. The company currently operates one vessel, Evrima (298 passengers), and will soon add ILMA (448 passengers) and LUMINARA (452 passengers), all of which will call at Greek ports this year and in 2025.
Alongside homeport operations in Piraeus (four calls) and Lavrio (12 calls), itineraries include marquee destinations like Santorini and Mykonos, as well as emerging stops such as Patmos, Milos, Amorgos, Parga, and Pylos.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is part of the wider trend of luxury hotel groups entering the cruise sector, alongside Four Seasons, Aman, and Orient Express. Its move to use cultural venues for embarkation reflects a broader shift in how high-end operators are reimagining the pre-boarding experience.
“This could change the game for luxury cruising in Greece,” Almpertis noted, hinting that future check-ins could even take place at venues like the Acropolis.
Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)
Held by Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum continues on Wednesday, May 7, with high-impact panels and private workshops focused on innovation, regional collaboration, and the future of sustainable sea tourism in the Mediterranean.
The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a media sponsor for the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2025.
Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.
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