Its origin story? Well, it begins like that of so many—with Rome. With the eternal pursuit of power and pleasure, incited by a heroic rise from the ruins—or in the case of your narrator—the sometimes ruinous daily grind. Yes, outings for just anyone can begin from anywhere. But odysseys for the truly sensible and deserving? They irrefutably begin with Rome. For what is life without the reasoning that nothing worthwhile was built in a day? What is life without sunset apertivo? If not for elevated seafaring? For romance? If not for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection?

Enter Evrima—Greek for "discovery"—the inaugural and most venerable of the mega yachts in the fleet of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection—a tasty 624 feet long and cooly anchored not far from Rome's spectacular Bulgari Hotel, where you'll lay your weary head to sleep after an overnight from Los Angeles to dream of an upcoming odyssey that would make the oh so trendy Odysseus rethink his route (read: sans the sirens and shave 20 years): concluding in Monte Carlo by way of Elba (Napoleon’s castaway isle), Livorno and St Tropez. 

Aboard, crisp sheeted, spa treated and feeling fancy, you will make frequent appearances at a quintet of restaurants turning out a solid series of hits, from modern Mediterranean to Southeast Asian, crowned as it all should by alta cuisina effort, S.E.A., a collaboration with celebrated chef Sven Elverfeld, where, after several sensory-smacking courses, the cutlery amasses as a seahorse entangled with a conch that beckons the bedecked on the nearby deck to shed their robes and cannon ball into the on site pool. You see what I mean? Surreal! 

The above is enough to stop here, but we mustn't, we shan't! Because what captivates—what conjures the imagination of Evrima's distinguished guests—is a sometimes striped, sometimes solid yet consistently frolicsome takeover across three of the vessel's outdoor spaces, brought to you in a swathe of crisp, vibrant colors by the outstanding Florentine design house, Ginori 1735. It's as if the planets have truly aligned. 

Close your eyes and the fresh sea air catches the sails of the Il Viaggio di Nettuno collection, its ceramic-centricity soothingly diversified and staged in a terrace setting for the first time, given life in the form of loungers, umbrellas, pillows, towels, and dare we say it? Specialty cocktails. I'd recommend the "Italian Fruit" which features limoncello, pomegranate, and a handful of other refreshing touches. It's in beholding this impressive testament of Italian craftsmanship that the art of travel—the imperative to do things, yes, exquisitely but with a fanciful flair for the spontaneous and ephemeral—has found its North Star. And hereafter, as goes the saying, no two sunsets shall ever be the same. 

Consider the Pool House, Evrima’s all-day dining venue that overlooks the pool and her ever-changing chosen vistas, draped in Ginori 1735’s Azzurro colorway, a nautical assortment of baby blue hues and robust teals, the deck now congruous with the shifting, twinkling ocean blue in its surrounds. Consider the persimmon orange, coral, and blush-toned décor of outdoor restaurant Mistral, where the ceramics re-assume center stage—and Il Viaggio di Nettuno, designed by English artist Luke Edward Hall—submerges the visual senses with a string of fantastical sea vignettes, mythologies, and an underwater spectacle in the elegant forms of tableware and glassware.

Then there's the chatter, the socializing. There’s seasoned editors. There’s a famous chef from Toronto, a handful of high-volume Instagrammers, a family of 9 from Detroit, a charming Oklahoman who loves treating those in her surrounds to the limited-edition Pinot Noir aboard, and a conga line on the top deck's dance floor belting out "Tonight's Gonna be a Good Night” as the lights pulse. The merriment beneath the stars. 

Yet if you want to disappear, you shall do so with ease, for the spatial sensibilities of Evrima are truly dialed. To whit, there are always special escapes and excursions a mere bell away. Our itinerary sees a handful of trysts— to Portofino for lunch, to Florence for a private tromp through the Uffizi Galleries museum, which was sick. (Raphael, you blow minds sir). Above all, there's the unflinching five-star service, flawless yet unforced, the lapping Tyrrhenian rolling out before you during cruising hours, a glowing moon overhead.

If life is about the pursuit of checklists, I suppose this experience packs its punches and ticks its boxes. But if life is about the cultivation of surprise by way of getting out there in the world and letting the night sky determine what's next, then Evrima and Ginori 1735 may very well possess a secret desiring new and adventurous ears. Listen up, then, for clues on how to ascend this get in on the secret courtesy of Gaby Aiguesvives, Chief Marketing Officer, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Describe working with such a storied house as Ginori with this unique collaboration? What was special about it?

Working with Ginori 1735 felt incredibly natural, as our brands share a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, artistry, and the emotion of hospitality. Ginori approaches design as something that elevates the rituals of everyday life, from dining and gathering to travel itself, which aligns very closely with how we think about the guest experience.

What made this collaboration especially meaningful was the opportunity to bring Ginori’s world to life beyond porcelain, through a fully immersive terrace takeover at sea for the first time. Celebrating the art of Viaggio, the Italian word for travel, the takeover reflects our expressive approach to luxury travel, rooted in discovery and connection. Together, we reimagined spaces aboard Evrima through color, craftsmanship, storytelling, and design, creating unexpected moments throughout the journey.

What is your favorite product by Ginori and why?

I’m especially drawn to the Il Viaggio di Nettuno collection, which is inspired by the sea and carries such a natural connection to Evrima. The pieces are as elegant and beautifully crafted as you’d expect from Ginori, but it’s the storytelling behind the collection that makes it so evocative. Drawing from ancient mythology and the spirit of the Mediterranean coastline, it feels perfectly suited to our yachting experience and captures the sense of wonder and inspiration that comes with sailing.

What informs the process of defining the itineraries The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection embarks upon? What sort of inspiration seeking or reconnaissance is part of the process?

A key part of the process is balancing iconic destinations with lesser-known ports, creating voyages that offer both familiarity and discovery. We work closely with local partners and destination experts to ensure each itinerary feels authentic to the places we visit, while creating a cohesive journey that unfolds naturally from one destination to the next.

You can see this reflected in some of our newest voyages. We’ve launched itineraries for Evrima in French Polynesia, with access to smaller islands and remote destinations that encourage more meaningful immersion in the untouched beauty and serenity of the South Pacific. Similarly, we’ve expanded Luminara’s Asia-Pacific voyages to pair celebrated cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo, with quieter corners of the region, including ports along the southern coast of Japan and the archipelagos of Indonesia and the Philippines. This balance gives guests a richer and more layered perspective of each place.

In what ways is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection engaging with newer / younger audiences?

We’re seeing a new generation of luxury travelers who are seeking experiences that feel meaningful, immersive, and connected to the places they visit. Many may not have previously considered traveling by sea, but they are increasingly drawn to the ability to explore multiple destinations while unpacking only once, all with the comfort, service, and exceptional culinary experiences they’d expect from luxury travel on land.

What resonates particularly strongly with this audience is the balance between discovery and flexibility. Our voyages create opportunities for connection, whether through shared experiences with fellow travelers, time spent exploring new places, or simply the ability to slow down and enjoy the journey at their own pace. For many, it’s also an opportunity to experience a variety of destinations and gain inspiration for future travels

We’re also engaging with younger luxury consumers through collaborations that bring together travel, design, culture, and hospitality in unexpected ways. Collaborations such as this one with Ginori 1735 create experiences that extend beyond traditional hospitality and resonate with travelers who value creativity and meaningful storytelling.

How do you define 'success' at this stage of your career and with the unique Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection brand?

At this stage, I define success a little differently than I may have earlier in my career. As a mother, I think often about the meaning of connection, the importance of discovery, and the memories we create through shared experiences. That perspective naturally shapes how I think about our brand as well.

What makes The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection especially meaningful is the opportunity to help create journeys that bring people closer to one another and to the world around them. There is something inherently powerful about being at sea, where the pace feels more open, the perspective shifts, and each destination becomes part of a larger journey.

Collaborations such as Ginori 1735 are rewarding because they allow us to bring together hospitality, craftsmanship, art, and culture in ways that feel authentic to the experience and deeply memorable for our guests. When guests leave feeling inspired, connected, and eager to return, that is ultimately how I define success.