The Ritz-Carlton has announced its plan to enter the cruise market with a small fleet of unique, luxury yachts launching by late 2019. This will be the first time a luxury hotel chain has brought its brand to the sea, hoping to introduce guests to the concept of a boat-based resort experience. Each yacht will have 149 suites with private balconies, accommodating up to 298 passengers, and destinations are expected to include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, docking at smaller ports that are typically unavailable to larger vessels. Reservations will open in May 2018, providing passengers with unique and highly-curated experiences to select both onboard and ashore.