Cruising the Mediterranean on the Ritz Carlton's Evrima Yacht

The cruise felt very intimate and personal and that you were sailing with new friends. Over 7 days, you get to know the staff and other guests. The benefit is good food, great service and amazing drinks while efficiently moving through the seas to some of the most popular ports in the world that only the finest yachts typically get to explore. The ship is beautifully designed. The terrace suite (basic room) is well-laid out and a decent size (300 sq ft inside space and up to 81 sq ft terrace). Wi-Fi was included in the fare and provided by Starlink and was very fast.

Baby boomers make up the largest percentage of guests, but as a 39-year-old professional I did not feel out of place on this voyage.

Pre & Post-Cruise Stays

Arrive at least two days prior to embarkation and stay in the heart of Rome. Consider tours of the Vatican and Coliseum. For hotels pre-and post-cruise, do not limit your stay to Marriott properties. Consider the Hassler in Rome and the Anantara in Nice, France. I would recommend staying one to three days after disembarkation in Nice, France. Take a stroll to the market in Nice to pick up last-minute gifts and souvenirs. Cannes and other beach towns are not far from Nice.

Essentials to Bring

If you visit during the summer, pack a hat and bring or buy a fan.

The Ship & Entertainment/Activities

The ship can hold up to 298 passengers. My cruise was reportedly sold out and it never felt like there were 298 passengers on board. It includes five restaurants, and six lounges (bars in the lobby area, off the main pool and on the marina terrace and observation lounge). Operating days and hours vary by voyage. There are two pools and multiple hot tubs. There is a nice spa (including a hair and nail salon) which includes a sauna and steam room in both the men and women's changing areas. You do not need a spa appointment in order to utilize these amenities. There were a few themed nights offered (check the week prior to boarding with your travel advisor) for the theme and night. There was live music and a DJ most nights, if not every night at the Observation Lounge. Take advantage of floating, kayaking or paddle-boarding off the yacht when it's anchored and the water sports are offered (included in the fare). The water sports are not available every time at anchor due to weather and traffic. Every room/suite has a terrace with chairs and double sinks.

The club offered a few activities each day, some free of charge, others for a fee. For example, there is a wine tasting and a Macallan tasting for an additional fee. There was hosted trivia that was just for fun and free to participate.

Children

There is a Ritz Kids Club that is available for additional fees. Check the pool policies for your voyage in advance.

Port Calls

Our port calls include Portofino, Monte Carlo, Saint Tropez and Antibes. For Portofino, have some wine and cheese or dinner on shore. Buy an ornament or small piece of artwork from a local shop. For Monte Carlo, check out the casino (tip: sign up for a players card in advance for free entry) and casino square. Book reservations in advance for dining. In Saint Tropez, stroll through the boutiques and shops and then enjoy some sun at a beach club about 20 mins from the port. Make reservations weeks to months in advance for Byblos Beach Club or Le Club 55. In Antibes, opt for the morning walking tour excursion that includes the Picasso museum.

Additional Costs

4 restaurants, room service and multiple bars are included in the fare as well as all gratuities. The selection of liquor and champagne was excellent. For example, for tequila, Casa Amigos was included, for vodka, Gray Goose and for champagne Moet & Chandon, Brut Imperial. The one restaurant that is not included in the fare is S.E.A.

I recommend the Evrima for couples or groups looking for first-class service an efficient way to see multiple cities without having the burden of packing and unpacking. Prospective guests should align the time of year/weather with the excursions they desire.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Italy. In need of further inspiration? Check out Kevin John Dailey's guide, Travel to Sardinia and Corsica in Style.