Ritz-Carlton aims to remove herd-like mentality from ocean experience

Visits to secluded islands. Long, leisurely port calls. A crew that intuits whether you’re in the mood for a private tour of a nearby estate or a day of sunning on the deck. It sounds much more like yachting than cruising — which is precisely the point.
 
When Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International’s flagship luxury brand, unveiled its cruise concept last year, it was clear that the hotel brand intended to take a detour from the rest of the industry. Its ships will offer luxuries largely unheard-of on cruise lines: airy, open-flow common areas, intimate restaurants that offer around-the-clock dining and