Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection CEO Targets IPO and More Ships

Marriott is doubling down on cruising, not just with its Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection but with other hotel brands, too. Along the way, it plans to expand from three ships to as many as 10—some superyachts, some not.

The Collection—which licenses the Ritz-Carlton name from Marriott International Inc.—is also eyeing an initial public offering within three years, Jim Murren, the company’s executive chairman and chief executive officer, said Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg.

He says he envisions “a large fleet of exclusive resorts at sea.” To build that fleet, he is currently raising as much as $400 million, in collaboration with ...