Our ultra-luxury cruise through Japan aboard Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Luminara felt special.
David Morris
Luxury cruise lines have been racing to offer more upscale experiences, but few carry price tags like the Ritz-Carlton.In late March, my mom and I booked a $35,000-per-person, 10-night sailing through southern Japan aboard Luminara, the newest ship from Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.Timing played a huge role in our booking choice, as visiting Japan during cherry-blossom season is a bucket-list trip my mother had long hoped to take.Round-trip from Tokyo, the itinerary included stops in Osaka, Hiroshima, Busan, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima, along with an overnight stay in Busan during peak cherry-blossom season.Unlike massive mainstream cruise ships carrying thousands of travelers, Luminara has just 226 suites and holds less than 500 passengers, giving the experience a far more intimate, yacht-like feel.Here's what it was like.
My arrival made me feel like I was at a luxury hotel, not a cruise.
It was nice to be personally escorted onto the ship.
