Our planet is home to a staggering array of stunning locales and trying to choose just one can be a daunting task. Here, we share the places that should be on your list for 2026 — and the voyages that can take you there.
In 2026, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sets sail for new horizons. Journeys aboard Evrima, Ilma and our latest addition to the fleet, Luminara, offer luxurious passage through some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations — and across the open sea. Whether you seek quiet solitude or immersive discovery, the year ahead invites every kind of wanderlust.
Alaska and British Columbia
This summer, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest yacht, Luminara, voyages for the first time to Alaska, a land of awe-inspiring natural wonders and rugged frontiers. Seven- to 11-night journeys depart from Vancouver, British Columbia, or Whittier, Alaska, and call at ports including Juneau, Sitka and such remote gems as Klawock, with its 21 totem poles and unique Tlingit culture. Along the way, travelers encounter towering glaciers, chiseled coastlines and charming port towns burrowed in pristine wilderness.
On Luminara, Alaska comes into focus through experiences that capture its scale and spirit. “Flightseeing” excursions offer a bird’s-eye view of glaciers and mountain ranges by plane or helicopter. Cycling routes follow glacial fjords and provide glimpses of whales, bears, spawning salmon and bald eagles. For a taste of Alaska’s storied past, guests can try mushing, the official state sport and an age-old mode of winter travel. In summer, the tradition takes on a new form, with ATVs standing in for sleds as you prove your mettle as a bona fide musher.
Asia-Pacific
Luminara also traces a wide arc across Asia, with 35 journeys that explore regions where culture, biodiversity and exotic landscapes reign supreme. The 13-night Hong Kong to Bali voyage weaves through the Philippines, offering the chance to dive among the storied shipwrecks of Busuanga Bay. The route continues through Indonesia to Komodo, home of the island’s legendary namesake dragon, before sailing on to the island of Lombok for snorkeling amid kaleidoscopic coral reefs and unhurried exploration ashore the motor vehicle-free Gili Islands.
For travelers drawn to the pulse of great cities, the 12-night Tokyo to Hong Kong voyage connects many of Asia’s cultural capitals. Tour the grand halls of Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace and the golden pavilion of Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Buddhist temple. Marvel at Osaka Castle before journeying into the heart of Shanghai and the historic temples and teahouses nestled inside the Old City. Across these itineraries, Luminara offers a lens to the region’s most compelling urban and coastal landscapes.
French Polynesia and Hawaii
Beginning in the fall, Evrima sets course through the South Pacific, long considered the cradle of ocean navigation. Routes span Bora Bora, Mo’orea and Tahiti, as well as Hawaiian gems such as Honolulu, Kona and Maui. French Polynesia is an adventurer’s dreamscape — more than 100 islands and atolls strewn across 1,200 miles of the South Pacific, each shaped by volcanic pressures and vibrant marine life.
On the 12-night Honolulu to Papeete voyage, travelers cross both the equator and the International Date Line, a rare passage that underscores the vastness of this region. Days unfold in cerulean waters and along volcanic landscapes, with chances to kayak in impossibly clear waters, swim beneath cascading waterfalls and take in seemingly endless, lush scenery.
Crossing Journeys
Another highlight of the year ahead: ocean voyages between continents that epitomize romance and adventure. The 13-night Lisbon to Miami journey recalls an earlier era of exploration with nothing but horizon — and discovery — in sight.
Set sail from Lisbon into the archipelago of Madeira for an overnight stay among volcanic peaks, hillside botanical gardens and the eponymous, fortified wine. Then, it’s eight unbroken days at sea, inviting a different rhythm shaped by shifting light and the quiet drama of the Atlantic. The crossing concludes in Nassau, the vibrant capital of the Bahamas, where a return to shore feels welcome and surreal after so much time suspended between continents. Allow the vastness of the passage to linger, etched into memory long after land comes back into view.