The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection announces itineraries to Asia and Alaska aboard Luminara | News
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveiled its itineraries to Asia and Alaska for summer 2027 aboard Luminara. The season runs from April through October 2027 and includes 21 expertly curated voyages, including 15 voyages exploring the raw beauty and majesty of Alaska, four voyages through Asia and two transcontinental crossings. Together, the routes combine iconic destinations with quieter, less-visited ports, revealing dramatic landscapes, vibrant cultures and remarkable natural environments. Each voyage reflects The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s approach to travel, combining immersive exploration with the ease and comfort of living aboard an intimate ultra-luxury yacht.
Following its inaugural season in Alaska this summer, Luminara returns to the region with an expanded series of routes between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska, highlighted by additional visits to Juneau. Select sailings navigate the famous Inside Passage, offering unparalleled access to glaciers, forested coastlines and abundant wildlife. Nearly all trips of eight nights or longer include a glacier day, along with scenic cruises through Tracy Arm Fjord, where guests can enjoy towering ice formations and Alaska’s striking natural beauty from their private ocean-view terraces.
Luminara’s intimate size allows visits to smaller ports and remote ports in Alaska, such as Wrangell and Klawock, where visits feel unhurried and less crowded. Some itineraries also call on Wrangell during bear season and salmon run, creating rare opportunities for unforgettable wildlife observations at their peak. Throughout the region, guests can enjoy a close connection to the sea from the marina while at anchor, especially in scenic locations like Sitka, where snow-capped mountains and coastal landmarks frame the coastline.
Time on board is also taken into consideration, with opportunities to take part in wildlife observation sessions, take part in expert-led talks, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery from a private terrace. Guests can further connect with the destination through enriching programs, regionally inspired cuisine and rejuvenating moments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa®. An extensive discovery program, both onboard and ashore, brings the region’s landscapes and culture to life through wildlife observations, intimate conversations and guided explorations with regional experts. Each trip will host two renowned guest speakers, promoting insightful moments with leading naturalists, conservation specialists, historians, writers, photographers and cultural voices. From wildlife viewing on deck to informal discussions, the program provides a deeper understanding of Alaska’s ecosystems, heritage and contemporary culture.
Exclusive shore experiences include privately chartered glacier flights, wilderness landings and small-group Zodiac excursions launched directly from the yacht, offering close-up views of majestic fjords, glaciers and wildlife. Culinary programming highlights the region’s bounty with ocean-to-table dining, tastings and hands-on workshops including an Alaskan cured salmon masterclass, sourdough workshop and Alaskan craft beer tastings, while place-inspired wellness at The Ritz-Carlton Spa draws on the environment, with treatments such as Glacier Contrast Therapy Rituals, Glacier Stone Massage and a Wild Alaskan Botanical Body Scrub with local botanicals such as fireweed, birch and berries. Together, these carefully curated experiences deepen guests’ connection to the destination at every stage of the journey.
“Our 2027 summer season on Luminara reflects our continued focus on immersive sea exploration, combining extended Alaska voyages and new ports of call in Asia with the comfort of ultra-luxury accommodations and personalized service,” said Ernesto Fara, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “These new journeys have been carefully designed to invite guests to experience and connect with both remarkably different regions in a way that feels seamless and enriching.”
The 2027 summer season builds on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s presence in Asia with new ports and itineraries throughout the region. Seoul debuts as a new port that serves as a gateway for journeys shaped by the beauty of South Korea’s coast, rich heritage and vibrant culinary traditions. Tianjin will be introduced as a new port of call, serving as a gateway to Beijing, the millennia-old capital where iconic sights including the Great Wall are within easy reach. Northern Japan also debuts as a new region for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, with opening visits to Otaru, the gateway to Sapporo, and Akita, both known for their charming cityscapes and local cuisine. Select itineraries include an overnight stay in Otaru, inviting guests to fully immerse themselves in its wonders, from regional seafood specialties and artisan glassware to evening strolls along the historic canal.
Throughout Alaska and Asia, a curated selection of shore excursions invite guests to discover the character of each destination through its landscapes and cultural traditions. Highlights range from guided culinary tours of Fukuoka’s celebrated food scene and hands-on matcha workshops with master artisans in Uji, to standout moments in Alaska including wilderness dining in Ketchikan and seaplane travel over vast glacial fields, ending with an exclusive dining experience at the historic Taku Glacier Lodge.
Highlights of the trip to Alaska
June 28, 2027 | 8 night tour to Vancouver
Travel through small-town Alaska and the state’s beautiful wilderness on this round-trip tour from Vancouver. In Klawock, hand-carved totems honor centuries of Tlingit heritage, while Sitka’s domed Russian churches highlight the history of the region’s Russian settlements. Waterfalls and calving glaciers infuse every moment with awe as you cruise across Tracy Arm. Discover how the Scandinavian sensibility distinguishes Petersburg as ‘Little Norway’ and explore Ketchikan’s historic city center on stilts.
August 11, 2027 | 9-Night from Vancouver to Whittier
From Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska is beautiful to see, starting with more than 500 miles of glaciers, waterfalls and forested islands along the Inside Passage. As the only yacht moored in Klawock and Petersburg, Luminara offers a rare sense of intimacy in these remote outposts. In Haines, museums and cultural centers preserve the heritage of the Chilkat Valley, while Valdez, located on the shores of Prince William Sound, impresses with tidal water and valley glaciers, waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife.
Highlights of the trip to Asia
April 25, 2027 | 10 nights from Tokyo to Seoul
From the neon capital of Japan to the modern heart of South Korea, this journey combines dynamic cities with tranquil coasts. Mount Fuji rises above tea fields and coastal temples near Shimizu, and Itsukushima Shrine near Hiroshima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample Fukuoka’s famous food culture before experiencing 19th-century life at the Jeju Folk Village. Two days in Beijing give you time to explore both the Forbidden City and the Great Wall before sailing to Seoul.
October 13, 2027 | 10 night tour of Tokyo
Experience Osaka’s famous food scene in the popular Dotonbori district or Namba district and gain moving insights into Hiroshima’s history at the Peace Memorial Garden. Enjoy panoramic views from Fukuoka Castle before delving into Busan’s Buddhist traditions at its famous temples. After exploring Japan’s southern coasts from Nagasaki to Kagoshima, the last day at sea offers time to relax at The Ritz-Carlton Spa.
Launched in July 2025, Luminara is the third superyacht in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet. With 226 spacious suites accommodating up to 452 guests, the yacht offers an intimate setting for luxury travel, with each suite boasting a private terrace with ocean views. Onboard, guests will enjoy innovative dining concepts, an extensive wine collection, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, expansive pool areas and seamless access to the water from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s signature Marina Beach. Carefully designed indoor and outdoor spaces invite guests to settle in, with intuitively designed accommodations, world-class culinary concepts and social venues that transition effortlessly from day to night.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection continues to redefine the standard for luxury experiences at sea. For more information about the upcoming routes and to book a trip, visit ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com.
