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July 25, 2025

When, in July 2025, the superyacht Luminara of The Ritz-Carlton set sail from Monte Carlo, officially inaugurating its first season in the Mediterranean, it was not just a new ship entering service, but above all a promise: to elevate the gourmet dining experience on board luxury cruises. 

The name Luminara, in fact, becomes a metaphor for a great “luminous” project: not only for the elegance and modernity of the yacht, but also for the role it intends to play through excellent cuisine, in collaboration with internationally renowned chefs and by shaping new culinary spaces designed to amaze guests on board. 

The ship, with 226 suites and a maximum capacity of about 452 guests, sails Mediterranean itineraries — between Portofino, the French Riviera, the Greek islands, the Côte d’Azur — in its inaugural season. In the coming months, Luminara will extend its horizon to Asia-Pacific destinations and, subsequently, to Alaska and Canada. 

Gastronomy is therefore not a secondary element: from the very first official presentation, the company chose to place it at the center of its offering. An “epicurean” food and wine experience also in the ports: from typical dishes of coastal locations such as bouillabaisse on the Côte d’Azur to fresh squid in the Greek islands. 

These local experiences are combined with the ship’s own gastronomic offerings — a balance aimed at engaging the traveler not only on board but also during the stops ashore. 

The heart of Luminara’s food and wine project lies in its four main restaurants, each with its own identity and distinct culinary philosophy. It is here that the true ambition is revealed: to transform the cruise into a sensory journey that does not merely connect ports but guides the guest through a path of discovery across cuisines and cultures. 

Azur on Luminara 

Among the most anticipated novelties is Azur, a versatile and refined restaurant designed to accompany every moment of the day. Its offering unfolds in an à la carte menu that changes with the seasons, reflecting a focus on the freshness of ingredients and the connection with the territories visited by the ship. 

It is a place designed for leisurely breakfasts with the sea as a natural backdrop, and for dinners that unfold unhurriedly, under the banner of conviviality. The elegant yet not overly formal atmosphere makes Azur ideal for those seeking a flexible gastronomic experience, capable of adapting to the different rhythms of travel. 

Haesu Bit 

With Haesu Bit, Luminara opens its doors to a world of colors, aromas, and inspirations from Asia. Here, the cuisine is inspired by multiple traditions: from the refined notes of Japan to the typical spicing of Thailand, passing through the intense flavors of Korea, Vietnam, and Cantonese cuisine. 

Each dish thus becomes a bridge between cultures, reinterpreted in a modern key and with a style that does not compromise on elegance. Haesu Bit does not simply offer already familiar recipes but reimagines them, transforming them into sensory experiences that blend the exotic with the familiar. It is the ideal restaurant for those who love to be surprised and who seek a taste of the East during a journey in the West. 

Seta on Luminara 

Among the most exclusive experiences on board is without doubt Seta, conceived and curated by Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi. This restaurant represents the meeting point between Italian tradition and the refinement of international fine dining. 

Its offering takes the form of a tasting menu — announced as an eight- or eleven-course journey — that guides the guest through layered flavors and surprising combinations. Attention to seasonality and the balance of contrasts translates into dishes that combine technique and creativity, with references to the historic routes between Venice and the East, and an outlook toward the yacht’s future destinations. 

Here, each course becomes a narrative piece, part of a gastronomic story that unfolds throughout the dinner. The sophisticated and intimate setting amplifies the experience, turning Seta into a true temple of contemporary Italian cuisine. 

Beach House 

Finally, Beach House offers a cuisine that looks toward the Middle East, thanks to the expertise of chef Michael Mina, winner of the James Beard Award and renowned for his innovative interpretations. 

In this restaurant, the experience is designed to accompany sunset moments: shared dishes, bold flavors, an atmosphere that invites dialogue and sociability. Mina draws on his Egyptian roots to create dishes that tell the story of the region’s culinary richness, enriching them with Mediterranean influences that blend with the routes traveled by Luminara. 

It is a proposal that does not give up sophistication but at the same time maintains an informal character, designed for those who love to experience cuisine as a moment of connection, made even more special by the backdrop of the setting sun over the sea. 

 

For all four gourmet culinary offerings, the menus signed by Luminara give great importance to local raw materials and ingredients from the ports visited, creating a synergy between the on-board dining experience and the gastronomic experience ashore. 

A distinctive element is that there will be no buffets or queues. Meals will be orderly, curated experiences, with reservations coordinated with the maître d’. This model recalls fine dining brought to the sea, rather than the traditional “cruise buffet” model. 

The four gourmet offerings signed by The Ritz-Carlton are therefore designed as an experiential device created specifically for passengers, where food becomes a language and a vehicle of culinary emotions and beyond. Luminara could embody a model that may inspire new cruises to imagine more gastronomic, more elaborate projects, increasingly “guest-centered.” 

Don’t miss further updates and news from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection on our website Cruising Journal. 

Mara Di Dio

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