I am experiencing my first ever cruise and what better way to start your first cruise, than with a luxury trip through the Caribbean on the Ritz Carlton Yacht. There are many itineraries to choose from on the Ritz-Carlton Yacht website and I decided on the longer voyage, with the yacht EVRIMA. Starting in Barbados and finishing in Puerto Rico. Personally, I wanted to see as many islands and countries in the Caribbean as possible, adding the experience of luxury travel of course.
So here I am, on my very first cruise, enjoying the luxury of a Ritz-Carlton Yacht voyage. From Barbados all the way to Puerto Rico, this 8 night journey below was my itinerary. I was definitely ready to explore all the new destinations along the way and adding countries to my list. (70 countries done!!)
Our first stop was St. George’s in Grenada, followed by a Ritz-Carlton BBQ in Canouan, a walk through Bequia, and a visit to Fort-de-France in Martinique. This blog post is only only half of the itinerary and certainly a very impressive and luxurious start!
P.S. I have just finished my 6 week trip in Central America with my final stop in The Bahamas. Read my blog here – The Bahamas and the Exumas – is this real paradise?
But first, let’s start my luxury travels with an amazing dinner at Sandy Lane, Barbados.
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Starting in Barbados Sandy Lane – The Perfect Pre Cruise Luxury Touch
When I booked my flights to Barbados to begin my Ritz-Carlton Yacht Voyage, I wanted to make sure I arrived relaxed and on time. So, I decided to spend one night in Barbados before embarkation. And what better way to begin a luxury travel experience than with dinner at one of the island’s most prestigious resorts, Sandy Lane. It was absolutely delicious and incredible! Not to mention very romantic.
After a great dinner and a comfortable night’s sleep, I felt ready for my first cruise experience. Would it enjoy cruising? Would it align with the standard of luxury travel? Oh yes, it certainly would.
This cruise exceeded all my expectations. So here is more about my Caribbean voyage – split into two blogs because there is so much to tell!
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Ritz Carlton Yacht Voyage
Onboard Experience: What It’s Like to Sail on EVRIMA
The Ritz-Carlton EVRIMA is a luxury yacht blending elevated service with a relaxed Caribbean vibe. It is perfect for a luxury experience on Sea. From the moment I stepped on board, I noticed the attention to detail. The stylish design and spacious staterooms were impressive, and the various lounge areas, sun decks, thoughtful amenities, and personalised service stood out immediately. I was definitely ready to make this yacht my home for eight days.
From the welcoming staff to the amazing entertainment and various dining options, everything felt both refined and approachable. The public spaces, lounges, and deck areas offered plenty of room to relax and to meet the other passengers. Snacks, coffee, and drinks were always available, which made the experience feel effortless. A few days into the trip, I realised what stood out most was how EVRIMA managed to feel exclusive without being pretentious. It was pure luxury in a very homely environment.
I loved going to bed each night, knowing that I would wake up at a new destination each morning. Enjoying a coffee on my own little balcony, overlooking the ocean and watching the sunrise was definitely one of the many highlights on this luxury cruise.
What did I think about the islands? Well, for me, the true experience was the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Voyage itself. Visiting the islands felt more like a short opportunity to stretch my legs before heading back to the comfort of EVRIMA. Below is my summary…
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The Caribbean Itinerary – Island by Island Review
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St. George – Canouan – Bequia – Fort-de-France – the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Voyage (part 1)
The journey began in St. George’s, Grenada. As the first island on my Ritz-Carlton Yacht Voyage, I was excited to explore, however, after a brief walk through town, I decided to turn back and return to the yacht. And so did a few others. To be honest, I found St. George’s quite dirty and run down, and there were many people hassling, trying to sell me something.
In Canouan (St.Vincent and the Grenadines), everything changed. The Ritz-Carlton beach BBQ was excellent. Relaxed, well organised, and set in a beautiful location, it was the perfect opportunity to unwind by the water, enjoy delicious food, and connect with fellow travellers. It felt much more aligned with the luxury travel experience I had expected. And some experienced travellers mentioned the islands would improve as journey continues. And they were right.
Bequia quickly became my favourite stop: a small beach town with a laid-back atmosphere, a charming waterfront, and local shops that made it feel authentic and welcoming. I really enjoyed walking in Bequia.
Stop four was Fort-de-France in Martinique, and it was a completely different experience again. It was the first proper city where the Ritz-Carlton Yacht docked, and it felt big, hectic, and very hot. Parts of the city appeared run down, and it was quite unusual suddenly being in a French speaking country in the middle of the Caribbean.
That said, the variety between the destinations added contrast and character to the overall itinerary. I certainly didn’t mind returning to the comfort and luxury of my Ritz-Carlton Yacht Voyage aboard EVRIMA. There was never a dull moment on board, especially after bonding with other passengers. And I still had several more islands to discover (apparently the pretty ones) before the journey came to an end.
But …
From Terre-de-Haut to Virgin Gorda and finally to Puerto Rico. Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I’ll share more about the next islands of my Ritz-Carlton Yacht Voyage and my last days in the Caribbean. I already knew, however, that this was an incredible trip and that I would miss everything about it once I had to leave.
St. George – Grenada
Canouan – St.Vincent and the Grenadines
Bequia – St.Vincent and the Grenadines
Fort-de-France – Martinique
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