Ritz-Carlton cruise ship delayed again, this time due to strikes in Spain

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection can’t seem to get a break, after delaying the launch of its first cruising superyacht Evrima several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain shortages, it has now delayed the delivery of the vessel again.

This time, the luxury cruise line, a subsidiary of the global hotel chain of the same name, says the delay is because of industrial strike action in Spain, which has affected construction work on the vessel.

Evrima is being built by the Astander Shipyard, in Santander, Spain, and will now sail her maiden voyage fromAthens, Greece on August 31st, rather than August 6th, as previously planned.

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In a statement, Ritz-Carlton apologised for the delay, but said a “prolonged metalworkers strike in the Cantabria region of Spain,” had made delays to the construction of the vessel unavoidable.

The company said the highly disruptive protests have impacted the finishing process, causing it to reschedule its inaugural voyage.

Evrima’s finishing touches are being completed after she earlier this month completed her sea trials. It should be noted that the shipyard itself is not involved in the strike action, but its operations have been disrupted nonetheless.

“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, its subcontractors, and the Astander Shipyard are not involved in the metalworkers’ disagreement,” said a statement.

“However, violent protestors repeatedly gathered at the shipyard’s gates, making it difficult for workers and subcontractors to safely access the facilities,” it added. “We have since been able to resume completion work on Evrima.”

“After making significant progress on Evrima and recently conducting a series of successful sea trials, it is upsetting to have faced interruptions that are outside of our control, however, the safety and wellbeing of those working on the ship are our top priority,” said Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Evrima is a luxury cruising superyacht that will carry just 298 guests. She will be the first of a planned three vessels for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, but her two fleetmates will instead be built by the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Sant-Nazaire.

They will be substantially larger, carrying 456 passengers, and are scheduled to be delivered and enter service in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

The order includes an option for two additional ships, suggesting Ritz-Carlton sees its future in the boutique, luxury cruise market, rather than the cruising superyacht space.