Captain Thomas Roth: From the "Mein Schiff" Fleet to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Luxury Yachts

With the departure of Thomas Roth, the "Mein Schiff" fleet loses not only a seasoned seaman but also a captain highly esteemed by passengers. The Swiss mariner will henceforth apply his expertise to the welfare of guests and the leadership of the crew aboard Ritz-Carlton's cruise yachts. His first assignment is planned on the yacht "Ilma." This vessel was completed and commissioned last year by the renowned Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. The "Ilma" will be sailing in the Mediterranean and the waters of Northern and Western Europe during the current summer season.

The prestigious hotel chain Ritz-Carlton has been developing its own exclusive cruise division since 2022. The "Evrima," a vessel built in Spain for a maximum of approximately 300 passengers, marked the beginning in 2022. In 2024, the "Ilma" joined the fleet, and later this year, the "Luminara" will complete the fleet as the third ship. The latter two sister ships originate from a French shipyard, are powered by more environmentally friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG), and can each accommodate up to 450 guests.

The steady growth of the cruise fleet naturally necessitates an increased demand for personnel. Captain Thomas Roth now strengthens the Ritz-Carlton team, bringing his extensive experience from the cruise industry. The luxury shipping company's yachts are intentionally designed to be smaller, promising a more intimate and exclusive travel experience compared to the ships of the "Mein Schiff" fleet, which, depending on their design, have capacities for 2,500 to 4,000 passengers at full occupancy.