Fours Seasons has emerged as the next hospitality company to make a move into ultra-luxury cruise segment, following in the wake of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Aman. The hotel, resort and private jet tour operator will lend its name to the all-new Four Seasons Yacht division, set to launch in 2025.
The new venture pairs Four Seasons with Nadim Ashi and Philip Levine, entrepreneurs and visionaries of high-end yacht experiences, alongside shipbuilder Fincantieri. Heading Four Seasons Yacht will be Larry Pimental, the veteran luxury travel industry expert who previously headed up Azamara when it was part of the Royal Caribbean Group.
The yacht design will feature 95 accommodations, an average of 54 square metres of indoor/outdoor living space. Sixty percent of the vessel’s inventory is in excess of 76 square metres of indoor/outdoor space. The most expansive residence, the “Funnel Suite”, will be four levels, offering more than 892 square metres of combined indoor/outdoor living space, including a private wading pool and dedicated private spa area.
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Accommodations will feature an extensive network of joining suite combinations creating adaptable, villa-like residences. Each suite will offer floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed natural light and access to expansive terrace decks.
There has been no indication if the vessel will or won’t feature a polar-class hull, however renders supplied highlight tropical destinations as opposed to polar landscapes, implying it will sail in destinations such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean – up alongside The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections’ Evrima – but on a smaller scale vessel.
The yacht order, which was revealed as an anonymous company in July (and not PONANT as LATTE had proposed), includes the option for two additional vessels and amounts to approximately €1.2 billion (over AU$1.8 billion).
“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,” said Christian Clerc, President, 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. Together with our partners at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, we are creating something extraordinary that combines their expertise with what Four Seasons does best – delivering unmatched quality and excellence, surrounded by beautiful acts of service and love for our guests.”
The first Four Seasons Yacht, anticipated for launch in late 2025, will be 207 metres long and 27 metres wide, with 14 decks. It will offer nearly 50% more living space per guest than currently available, which the company says will provide the “ultimate privacy, flexibility and spaciousness in an all-suite nautical residential setting”.
“In partnership with Four Seasons, we are creating a new category of luxury lifestyle travel that appeals to discerning guests,” said Pimentel, President and CEO of Four Seasons Yacht.
“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. Our shipbuilding partnership with Fincantieri rounds out a triumvirate of industry leaders in this unprecedented luxury lifestyle project.”
Globally renowned design partners have been engaged including Tillberg Design of Sweden as lead architect responsible for the design of exterior and guest suites, and London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio for the design of many of the yacht’s spectacular guest areas. These design partners will be paired with the creative direction of Prosper Assouline.
Four Seasons will lend its culinary innovation and hospitality expertise to the yacht’s restaurants, lounges and bar concepts, as well as the full-service spa, salon and wellness offerings. The top-of-the-line amenities will be accompanied by the attentive and personalized service that defines the Four Seasons.
The canoe-shaped aft will be home to an expansive pool deck which can be transformed into an outdoor movie theatre or space for an array of private events.
Planned as the first of a fleet of Four Seasons Yachts over the next five years, the first vessel is currently being designed in Trieste, Italy by leading shipbuilders Fincantieri.
Reservations for the Four Seasons Yacht are anticipated to open in the third quarter of 2023.