Ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection begins regular Vancouver cruise sailings | Daily Hive

Ultra-luxury Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection begins regular cruise sailings from Vancouver

Luminara of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection at Vancouver's Canada Place on June 8, 2026. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)

Luminara, a vessel of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, arrived at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal in Downtown Vancouver on Monday, marking the ultra-luxury cruise line’s first-ever visit to the Port of Vancouver and the beginning of a new seasonal presence in the city.

For the 2026 season, the 452-passenger ship — completed last year — is scheduled to make nine calls at Vancouver’s downtown cruise terminal this year as part of its Alaska itineraries. Luminara is also set to return to Canada Place in 2027, with 10 visits already in the preliminary schedule.

The arrival introduces a new segment of the cruise market to Vancouver’s waterfront, with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection positioning itself as a boutique-style luxury operator offering a more intimate experience than traditional large cruise ships. It is the new cruise ship division of the global luxury hotel chain of the same name, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

You’ll be given a robe, two towels, and flip-flops before entering your hydrotherapy appointment.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to Vancouver and feel confident their guests will have the experience of a lifetime starting their Alaska cruise in our beautiful port city,” said Jane Banham, the director of trade development for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, in a statement.

“We look forward to working closely with our latest cruise line partner to deliver truly exceptional passenger experiences, from city to sea, and beyond.”

Luminara of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection at Vancouver’s Canada Place on June 8, 2026. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection currently operates three vessels — Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara. Unlike conventional cruise ships that can carry thousands of passengers, the company’s yacht-style vessels focus on smaller guest counts, featuring large suites with private terraces, high-end dining venues, a luxury spa, and a marina platform that allows direct access to the water in select destinations.

The arrival of Luminara comes during what is expected to be another record-setting year for Vancouver’s cruise ship industry.

Nearly 360 cruise ship visits are scheduled at Canada Place in 2026, with approximately 1.4 million passengers expected to pass through the terminal over the course of the season. According to port authority estimates, each cruise ship call contributes roughly $3 million in economic activity through spending on tourism, transportation, hospitality, provisioning, and other services that support cruise operations.

Last month, Canada Place also welcomed two other notable firsts — the first-ever sailings of the Disney Magic as a mainstay for Alaska itineraries, joining the Disney Wonder to double Disney Cruise Line’s longtime presence, and the new Brilliant Lady, which marked Virgin Voyages’ first-ever visit to Vancouver.

Luminara. (The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)

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