We are excited to debut a new blog series, Living Fully, where we will explore ways to enjoy life to the fullest. Whether you are retired or working, we want to take a closer look at ways to maximize your experiences while WJ Interests manages your finances. From traveling to remodeling your dream kitchen, we want to inspire you to immerse yourself in exceptional experiences and foster your sense of adventure. First, I would like to share one of my travel experiences that was once just a dream, actually became a reality.
We planned our dream vacation on the first Ritz Carlton Yacht before 2020 and due to COVID, our voyage was delayed. Luckily, in March 2023 we were finally able to board the Evrima, meaning "discovery" in Greek. What we were about to uncover was that this yacht was truly one-of-a-kind, as it is the first vessel to bear the Ritz Carlton name. We are loyal Ritz Carlton customers and are fond of their superior customer service and reputation, so we were excited to witness a historic first. The Evrima is a luxury mega yacht accommodating 298 passengers with six dining venues, all day in-room dining and exceptional Ritz Carlton-style service.
We flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico to board the Evrima. When we embarked the yacht, we were greeted by our personal concierge with a glass of Moet champagne. The concierge assisted us with making dinner reservations on board the yacht each evening and was an integral part of setting up our excursions. The concierge escorted us to our suite and gave us a quick tour of our home for next 7 days. The suite had a stocked mini fridge, spacious bathroom and closet and a sea-facing balcony. We enjoyed a champagne lunch at The Pool House restaurant with live music. The rest of the day was spent touring the yacht and that evening we enjoyed dinner at Talaat Nam which featured Asian cuisine and a view of other cruise ships sailing off into the night.
Each day at sea, we woke up to a new port and new scenic view.
The concierge would frequently stop by our suite to offer assistance. From San Juan, we sailed to St. John where the yacht anchored. We enjoyed breakfast on the outside deck at the Pool House while taking in the breathtaking views of St. John. On days when the yacht is anchored, you can go to the Marina Terrace and enjoy water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming.
While ashore in St. John, we hopped on an open-air bus to tour the island. We captured some breath-taking views of several beaches including Trunk Bay which was named #1 Beach in the World by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
The next day we were at sea, so we took advantage of the Spa onboard while my son spent the afternoon at the Ritz Kids club. Next up on the itinerary was afternoon tea with scones, assortment of pastries and the most extensive list of teas I have ever seen.
The next port of call was Road Town in the British Virgin Islands where we leaned into our adventurous spirit and took off in a guided Jeep tour. Luckily, my husband was brave enough to drive us on some unlevel terrain while we took in the sea breeze.
We then sailed to Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique. While in Dominica, we got a sneak peek look at scenery featured in parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In Martinique (island of flowers), we joined a Catamaran sailboat tour for a snorkeling trip. I enjoyed the view from the boat while my husband snorkeled in the picturesque blue waters. We were excited to see sea turtles while we sailed!
The excursion experiences were well-orchestrated by the Ritz Carlton staff. Our personal concierge helped us select and prepare for the excursions. Other staff on board personally escorted us to the appropriate meeting points to start our experiences.
One evening onboard, we had the opportunity to have a five-course tasting menu with wine pairing at S.E.A. The menu is led by Chef Sven Elverfeld from the three-Michelin star restaurant, Aqua. The meal was fit for a true foodie with each course offering a wonderful presentation. I enjoyed the wine more than the food as my palate is not as refined as many connoisseurs. Overall, I was impressed with the culinary experience!
The Ritz Carlton Yacht experience is like being on a floating hotel with an intimate feel, almost every day we were at a different port. The yacht simply cannot be compared to a massive cruise ship offering Vegas style entertainment and buffet options. Instead, our evenings were filled with first class dinner service followed by live music in the Living Room or an after-dinner cocktail in the Observation Lounge. The champagne flowed like water and the customer experience was bar none.
The Evrima exceeded our expectations making it a once in a lifetime experience. We were so impressed we had to do it all over again! Our second voyage on the Evrima was in March 2024 and in March 2025 we will set sail on the newest Ritz Carlton Yacht, Ilma. Ritz offers incentives for booking your next sailing right after you finish your voyage, and we took full advantage. I’m happy to connect you with our Ritz Carlton Yacht representative to schedule your next adventure.
At WJ Interests, we believe in helping you reap the rewards of your hard work and live a life full of purpose, balance, and success.
If this inspired your next adventure, share the journey with friends and family!
