Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Announces Name of First Cruise Ship

(4:39 p.m. EST) -- The first ship for brand-new cruise line Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will be called Azora. According to the line, it's a word of Spanish origin that means "sky blue." Blue is one of the main colors already used in Ritz-Carlton branding.

"We wanted to select a name that embodies the wanderlust of a luxury journey at sea and inspires travelers to dream of their next destination," said Doug Prothero, the cruise line's CEO, in a statement. "Azora, which evokes the beauty of the sky and ocean, does both. To the mind, the color blue also suggests a distinct sense of peace and clarity, emotions we hope to stir in our guests during their journey with us."

The name is not entirely unique in the cruise industry. British line P&O Cruises has a ship named Azura, and Royal Caribbean's upscale brand is named Azamara (a combination of words meaning blue and sea).

The 298-passenger Azora will debut in February 2020 and sail to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Canada and New England. The yacht-like cruise ships will feature inclusive fares, all-balcony cabins, a collection of water toys and multiple dining venues. Bookings for individual cabins or ship charters are already available.