By invitation only and featuring a four-storey penthouse, cruises aboard Four Seasons Yachts will begin in the Caribbean from 2025. Gemma Harris reports
Luxury hotel group Four Seasons is progressing its plans to launch a fleet of cruise ships in partnership with Marc Henry Cruising Holdings and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. (Four Seasons also has its own custom private jets for round-the-world tours.)
The maiden voyage for Four Seasons Yachts is scheduled to begin in the Caribbean during the 2025-2026 winter and spring seasons, with journeys typically lasting seven days. The vessel will feature 95 suites, each equipped with terraces and residential-style interiors.
Alejadron Reynal, president and CEO of Four Seasons, says: “Four Seasons Yachts represents a key pillar of our future growth and strategic vision as we look to capitalise on new opportunities and build brand differentiation through immersive luxury experiences.”
“The inaugural yacht is a manifestation of this vision, offering a world-class Four Seasons experience, at sea and on land, marked by the genuine, personalised service that our guests know and love,” he adds.
The largest of the suites will be the Funnell Suite, a four-storey penthouse that is set to be the biggest found on any cruise ship. It will have over 882 sqm of private space available and will be located where the traditional “funnel” was once located.
The suite will have wraparound windows and “sea to sky” design features, a private wading pool and an area dedicated to in-suite spa treatments.
Elsewhere on the yacht, the 20-metre saltwater swimming pool will be fitted with adjustable floors with a hydraulic lift design to allow for transformation into a multi-purpose and versatile event space.
For more watersports, the yacht will have a dedicated marina granting easy access to an array of water toys. Activities such as sailing, snorkelling, and windsurfing will also be on offer, overseen by a team of marina staff. There will be tired lounging decks and platforms, al fresco seating areas and bar areas for relaxation.
Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, and joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, says: “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.”
Reservations will initially be offered on an initiation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests and travel partners. For others interested, they can join an online waitlist.
Aside from the experiences onboard, pre and post-hotel and overland programmes in collaboration with the yacht are currently in development and are yet to be announced.
Future plans outline that there is already a signed contract, estimated to be worth more than €400 million, for a second Four Seasons vessel expected to splash in November 2026.
Four Seasons is not the only luxury hotel group to branch into the luxury cruising world, with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection adding two new vessels to its fleet this year.