Behind the Scenes: Illuminating Superyacht Luminara
Picture this: your phone rings with a request to illuminate a floating palace. It's not there yet, but one day Martha Stewart would sip cocktails beneath your sea-inspired sculptures. We said yes, the day is now and the installations throughout the Luminara Superyacht are made by Lasvit, all crafted by hand with utmost attention to detail. This was a calling that brought our Bohemian glassmaking heritage to the world's most exclusive waters.
The Ritz-Carlton's Luminara is a 794-foot floating masterpiece with 226 suites, each with private balconies, carrying a 710-piece art collection including Matisse, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney. It features the world's first onboard marina that unfolds from deck 2, seven bars and five restaurants where menus change based on global destinations. When Toronto-based visionary Tatiana Sheveleva of Chapi Chapo Design approached us to create bespoke lighting installations for this project, we knew we were stepping into something extraordinary. Every fixture we created tells a story that transcends typical superyacht design. In the heart of the living room, our stingray-inspired lighting spans over 10 meters—an artistic statement drawing inspiration from these graceful sea creatures gliding through ocean depths. The installation features handblown glass jellyfish-like wavy plates with opaline-to-deep aqua blue gradients, each hand-chipped optical glass shard with marine metal coating attached to antique patina tubes, uniquely crafted by our bohemian artisans. For the intimate dining privée where celebrities enjoyed chef-curated tasting menus, we created a centerpiece inspired directly by the beauty and grace of jellyfish. As Tatiana described it, "The true creativity lies in thousands of small, meticulously crafted crystal pieces. The result creates beautiful glow that transforms dining experience into charming underwater ambiance." For Haesu Bit, the Asian-inspired restaurant where guests can enjoy the highest-grade sashimi with live jazz, we created our most refined approach—elegant satin matte black cylinders housing internally lit chunky glass inserts with thick bottom layers. Gold honey amber interiors overlaid with organic soda bubbles bring sparkle, warmth and depth to crystal clear handblown glass, creating sophisticated maritime charm that could hold its own against Cartier boutiques and 111Skin spa treatments. The scope of this project was extraordinary—24 unique lighting items comprising 175 individual pieces including small pendants, wall sconces, table lamps and floor lamps. It required countless shop drawings, technical drawings and meticulous attention to technical details throughout the development process. Luminara is a place for lavish parties and celebrations such as its launch with themed menus, towers of amber roses or tumbling apricot sculptures. Our lighting installations had to perform flawlessly in this setting, creating atmosphere that would photograph beautifully for Instagram yet feel intimately magical in person. The technical challenges were immense. Marine environments demand exceptional durability, while luxury superyacht design requires flawless aesthetics that complement $100 million art collections. Our optical glass shards needed special marine metal coatings. The jellyfish wavy plates required precise gradient applications that would catch and refract light in ways that evoke underwater movements. Working on a superyacht taught us invaluable lessons about marine installation requirements. The fixing systems had to be absolutely solid to prevent any movement or shaking once installed on the vessel. What made this project extraordinary was understanding that more than lighting itself, we were crafting the atmosphere for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We're particularly proud that our teams successfully managed such an extensive collection of items while maintaining exceptional quality despite the limited lead time—a testament to our craftspeople's skill and dedication. As Tatiana reflected on our partnership, "My experience working with Lasvit, was profoundly positive and efficient. What truly set them apart was powerful combination of professionalism, creativity, and respect." This collaborative spirit enabled us to push boundaries of what's possible in superyacht design, creating custom fixtures that seamlessly integrate with Ritz-Carlton's signature elegance while celebrating our thousand-year Bohemian glassmaking heritage. The Luminara project represents something great—when authentic craftsmanship merges with limitless vision, magic happens. 
Stories in Sea-Inspired Glass
Glass That Withstands Ocean Challenges
The Art of Illuminating Dreams
