First Four Seasons Yacht to set sail in 2025

Luxury brand Four Seasons is launching a fleet of luxury passenger ships, the first of which will set sail in 2025.

The company’s new business extension – Four Seasons Yachts – is a partnership between Nadim Ashi and Philip Levine from Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, and shipbuilding group Fincantieri.

The first in the fleet of five ships is currently being designed in Trieste, Italy, by Fincantieri. The order, which was announced in July 2022, amounts to approximately €1.2 billion (US$1.19 billion) — a cost to build of US$4.2 million per suite. The full fleet is expected to be ready within five years.

It’s said the first vessel will be marked by bespoke craftsmanship, personalised service and a dedication to excellence, to appeal to guests looking to ‘reimagine their love of travel by experiencing the splendour of modern sea voyaging’.

“Four Seasons Yachts represents the next chapter of our long history of industry-leading innovation, and a milestone moment for our company as we continue to capitalise on new opportunities to extend the world of Four Seasons,” says Christian Clerc, president of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “True vision rests in the ability to imagine the possibilities while always remaining loyal to one’s values. Our vision for this new venture does exactly that.”

With its inaugural journey anticipated for late 2025, the first Four Seasons vessel will be 207 metres (679 feet) long and 27 metres (88.6 feet) wide with 14 decks.

Luxury travel industry expert Larry Pimentel is responsible for leading the new enterprise. “In partnership with Four Seasons, we are creating a new category of luxury lifestyle travel that appeals to discerning guests,” he says. “We are bringing together the very best across industries to create the pinnacle yachting offering through world-class design, curated experiences, and truly exceptional service. When we launch in 2025, there will be nothing else like it on the open seas.”

The vessel’s 95 accommodations feature an extensive network of joining suite combinations creating adaptable, villa-like residences. Each suite will offer floor-to-ceiling windows and terrace decks.

The largest suite on board the vessel is the Funnel Suite, which spans four levels, offering more than 892 square metres (9,601 square feet) of combined indoor/outdoor living space, and includes a private wading pool and dedicated private spa area.

The Four Seasons Yacht will offer guests a full-service spa, salon, and wellness programme. The canoe-shaped aft will have an expansive pool deck, allowing for leisure and relaxation, and this area will also transform into an outdoor movie theatre or space for private events.

A transverse marina will provide an ideal spot for guests to enjoy the water, sunbathe, or explore the specially designed aqua leisure toys and accessories.

“We are excited to embrace this new opportunity with Four Seasons that will allow us to strengthen our global leadership position,” says Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri CEO and managing director. “With a reputation built on innovation and reliability, Fincantieri combines groundbreaking engineering and technology to create the finest vessels in the world, ensuring sustainability practices are integrated throughout the design and guest experience.”

“This project is in a class of its own, combining the best of passenger ship construction and yacht design to create a new benchmark for ultra-luxury vessels,” adds Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s merchant ships division.

Four Seasons is not the first luxury hotel brand to move into yachts. Earlier this year, Swiss hotel chain Aman Resorts revealed details of a new 183-metre luxury floating hotel, which will also be completed by 2025.