Unpack once, wake up somewhere new
The new generation of luxury yachts is run by hotel brands you already trust: Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Aman and Orient Express. Every guest has a suite, most with a private terrace, and the crew-to-guest ratio is closer to a small hotel than a cruise ship.
Because these ships are small, they slip into harbors like Portofino, Saint-Tropez and the smaller Greek islands, and often stay late or overnight so you can have dinner ashore. For couples it's one of the most romantic ways to see the Mediterranean, and for a wedding or milestone birthday, a yacht can become the whole venue.
Below are the five lines I'd consider, with who each one suits and who should look elsewhere.
Five yachts, five personalities
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Three all-suite superyachts, Evrima, Ilma and Luminara, every suite with its own terrace, on voyages of about seven to ten nights with plenty of late evenings in port. It's the line wedding couples are booking most: Fora's 2026 wedding report saw Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection bookings through its advisors rise 261%.
Best for: couples, milestone celebrations and full-yacht charters. Skip it if: you want the most intimate ship possible.
Four Seasons Yachts
Four Seasons I made its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean in March 2026, with 95 suites, no interior cabins, residential-size rooms and service close to one crew member per guest. It feels like a Four Seasons resort, just on the water.
Best for: Four Seasons loyalists and families who want real space. Skip it if: you'd rather sail under canvas.
Orient Express Corinthian
Described as the world's largest sailing yacht: about 220 meters, three masts and 54 suites, designed in the spirit of the legendary train. Its maiden season began in May 2026 in the Mediterranean, with Caribbean voyages in winter.
Best for: design lovers, honeymooners and anyone who wants the romance of sails. Skip it if: you want lots of restaurants and big-ship facilities.
Photos courtesy of Orient Express
Aman at Sea: Amangati
Aman's first yacht, with just 47 suites for a maximum of 94 guests. Its first voyage is scheduled for May 7, 2027, from Palma de Mallorca to Nice, and bookings are open now. If you love Aman's quiet, wellness-led style, this will be the most exclusive way to sail.
Best for: Aman devotees, wellness and true privacy. Skip it if: you want to sail before May 2027.
Explora Journeys
The largest ships here, but every suite faces the ocean with a terrace, and fares include dining, drinks and gratuities. With several restaurants and multiple pools, Explora suits longer voyages and travelers who like choice.
Best for: multi-generational families, longer itineraries and an all-inclusive feel. Skip it if: you want a yacht of under 100 guests.
Amangati, Aman's first yacht
With 94 guests at most, Amangati will be one of the most intimate luxury ships at sea. The maiden season opens in the Western Mediterranean, and the first sailings are the ones that sell out first.
Yacht weddings & celebrations at sea
Charter the yacht
Several of these yachts can be chartered in full, so the ship, the crew and the itinerary are all yours: ideal for a wedding week or a landmark birthday.
Hold a block of suites
For smaller groups, I reserve suites on a regular sailing so everyone travels together, with a private dinner or excursion built in.
Start on land
Pair the voyage with a few nights at a resort before or after, like Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the Riviera or a hotel in Saint-Tropez.
Questions I get about yacht cruises
How is this different from a regular cruise?
Much smaller ships, from under 100 guests to several hundred, all suites, more crew per guest and ports the large ships can't reach. It feels closer to a boutique hotel that moves.
Can we book the whole yacht?
Often, yes. Several of these yachts can be chartered in full, and for smaller groups I can hold a block of suites on a regular sailing. I can also arrange a fully private yacht charter for up to 12 guests.
How far ahead should we book?
For summer in the Mediterranean, 9 to 12 months ahead, and earlier for the largest suites or a maiden season. Full charters usually need more lead time.
Are drinks and gratuities included?
It depends on the line. Explora includes dining, drinks and gratuities, and the others include more than a typical cruise. I'll spell out exactly what's included for your voyage.
Tell me where you'd like to sail.
I'll match you to the right yacht and suite, and add the perks I can secure for your voyage.