Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Delays Launch of Evrima to October

(Updated 9:35 a.m. EDT) -- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has once again pushed back the inaugural sailing of its first ship, Evrima, citing COVID-19-related supply chain and labor challenges.

It is the eighth delay for the the 298-passenger Evrima, which is now due to set sail from Barcelona on October 15, 2022. Evrima was originally scheduled to debut in 2019.

Shipyard delays, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have continued to delay the debut of the line's flagship vessel.

"Like many in manufacturing, we have experienced significant impact from COVID-19 variants as it relates to labor and supply chain disruptions, and we have had to reevaluate the timing of our first voyage," Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, said in a statement earlier this year.

The company said guests impacted by the change can reschedule their voyage to an available itinerary in 2022, 2023 or 2024, or contact the company to discuss reimbursement options.

Earlier this year, the company signed a letter of intent to purchase boutique sailing operator Sea Cloud Cruises, and announcedlast year that Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection would officially become a part of Marriott's Bonvoy program, allowing members to redeem points for sailings aboard Evrima.