Four Seasons Yachts will take ultra-luxe sea travel up a notch. Image credit: Four Seasons Yachts
Four Seasons is set to launch its first yacht late next year for guests who want to gain the brand’s hospitality experience over the seas, per an announcement made at the ongoing prestigious Monaco Yacht Show.
Four Seasons Yachts will join expanding global offerings from the brand including hotel, resort and residential properties, as well as the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, Drive Experience and Four Seasons At Home Collection. Four Seasons Yachts will initially ply the waters of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
"Four Seasons Yachts represents a key pillar of our future growth and strategic vision, as we look to capitalize on new opportunities and build brand differentiation through immersive luxury experiences," said Alejandro Reynal, president/CEO of Four Seasons, in a statement.
Founded in 1960, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts currently operates 126 hotels and resorts as well as 53 residential properties in major city centers and resort destinations in 47 countries. More than 50 projects are under planning or development.
Four Seasons is now majority owned by tech billionaire Bill Gates’ investment vehicle.
Taking the waters
Four Seasons is working with luxury yachting company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd. and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to build the first vessel in the inaugural journey of Four Seasons Yachts.
The company has also signed a contract for the construction of a second Four Seasons vessel with Fincantieri to be delivered in late-November 2026. This order will cost $420 million.
"When we launched Four Seasons Yachts in Monaco this time last year, we were humbled by the tremendous response and excitement about the offering, which sparked unprecedented interest in this stunning project," said Larry Pimentel, president/CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., the joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts and also responsible for leading the enterprise, in a statement.
Veteran cruise executive Damien O'Connor will manage the vessel's hotel operations and land excursions as senior vice president of yacht operations. A dedicated Four Seasons team will support with customized shoreside experiences and overland programs.
Other corporate partners assisting with Four Seasons Yachts are coffee-table book publisher Prosper Assouline and Tillberg Design of Sweden.
Rendering of first Four Seasons yacht. Image credit: Four Seasons Yachts
Where to?
The 2025/26 inaugural season will boast yachting itineraries offered throughout winter and spring in the Caribbean.
The yacht will then return to the Mediterranean to cruise iconic yachting locales, from the French and Italian Rivieras to the Adriatic coastline and Greek Isles.
The average journey will be seven days, affording back-to-back voyages of 21 days with distinct daily deployments.
The first year's planning represents 33 countries, 137 unique destinations and 76 late night evenings or overnights.
Unique Four Seasons pre-and-post hotel and overland programs are being developed and soon will be announced.
What is the boat like?
The first Four Seasons Yacht will feature 95 suites with custom design.
Each suite features extensive terrace decks ranging from 100 square feet for the deluxe suite, to nearly 5,000 square feet for the Funnel Suite, which will be the yacht's most expansive accommodation.
With an all-suite, residential style product, the yacht is looking to set a new standard for privacy and guest-centric layout.
The Funnel Suite will be four levels, offering more than 9,500 square feet of combined indoor/outdoor living space, including a private wading pool and dedicated private spa area.
This immense suite can be further expanded with vertical and horizontal connectivity, allowing guests to have one of the largest continuously connected living spaces at sea, the company said.
The Funnel Suite's floor-to-ceiling wraparound curved glass window modules, made up of the largest contiguous piece of glass at sea, will offer 280-degree panoramic views.
With the glass of the Funnel Suite costing a $4.5 million, this engineering feat is nothing short of remarkable, from its steel web frame support structure to its double glass thermal performance.
Another design first is the yacht's bespoke onboard transverse marina, allowing guests easy access to water sports with state-of-the-art water toys in ports that are traditionally exclusive to privately-owned yachts.
The marina design features expansive openings across the vessel from port to starboard, offering large platforms and tiered lounging decks on both sides to maximize light and sea views.
Outdoors, water sports enthusiasts will partake of private and exclusive sailing, snorkeling and wind surfing.
Inside, an elegant lounge area outfitted with a bar and dedicated al fresco seating areas will reveal panoramic ocean views.
Rentable custom crafted sea limousines designed for transfers and coastal grand touring along with a pair of beach landers are also part of the ship's signature marina experience, accessible in most anchor ports. A dedicated marina team will be on hand.
For those wanting to enjoy the sun from the pool deck, the canoe-aft deck will boast a 66-foot pool – one of the largest at sea. It will serve as the center of the vessel and a gathering place for guests who share an affinity for the refined, leisurely pace of yachting.
The salt-water pool is designed so that it can be quickly emptied, the floor raised and converted into a multi-function area for performances, fashion shows and weddings, among a few programming options. This hydraulic lift design is inspired by Aristotle Onassis’ classic Christina O yacht, which also had many famous-first features.
By-appointment exclusive access
Priority access to reserve Four Seasons Yacht voyages will be by invitation-only, starting with loyal Four Seasons guests and key travel partners. A dedicated private client service division has been created with a team of personal yacht consultants.
Luxury travelers who are interested in Four Seasons Yachts can join a waitlist at www.fourseasonsyachts.com.