By
Alex Smith |
Fincantieri and Four Seasons Yachts have celebrated the start of construction on Four Seasons I with a keel-laying ceremony at the shipbuilder’s yard in Ancona, Italy.
The traditional ceremony includes the welding of specially chosen coins to the bottom of the vessel as a symbol of good luck for its future voyages. Three coins were selected by Fincantieri and Four Seasons Yachts, including a 1984 500 Italian Lire, commemorating the year Fincantieri became an operating company; a 1961 Canadian Silver Dollar, marking the year Four Seasons was founded; and a 2024 American Silver Dollar, symbolising the start of operators for Four Seasons Yachts and of the start of construction for Four Seasons I.
Executives for both Fincantieri and Four Seasons Yachts attended the ceremony. In attendance for Four Seasons was Nadim Ashi, owner and executive chair of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, the joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, and Bart Carnahan, president of global business development, portfolio management and residential for Four Seasons.
“We are thrilled to commemorate the official start of the shipbuilding process for the first vessel in the Four Seasons Yachts fleet, Four Seasons I,” said Ashi. “This monumental occasion is a celebration of innovation, excellence, and our strategic vision to redefine luxury at sea. Today’s momentum and excitement will undoubtedly continue through the remainder of the construction process, and we pay homage to all of the artisans creating this magnificent Four Seasons Yacht.”
Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s merchant ships division, and Gilberto Tobaldi, Fincantieri’s shipyard director, were in attendance representing the shipbuilder. Also present at the ceremony was Frederik Johannson, partner and executive director of Tillberg Design of Sweden, which is managing the design of the vessel.
“The innovative steel backbone of Four Seasons I, which begins with the keel laying, provides structural integrity on which the remainder of the exquisite and specialty design details can be built,” said Johannson. “Panoramic glass on the exterior ensures that all suites and public spaces feature full length, floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an unparalleled level of openness and connection to the sea.”
Four Seasons I is due to embark on its inaugural season in January 2026 with winter and spring itineraries in the Caribbean, followed by a summer season in the Mediterranean.
“The keel laying ceremony marks a key milestone in the construction of our inaugural yacht and for the Four Seasons brand as we bring our renowned luxury service and hospitality experiences to the seas,” said Alejandro Reynal, president and CEO of Four Seasons. “We are proud to celebrate this occasion with our partners at Marc-Henry and Fincantieri, building excitement for 2026 and beyond aboard Four Seasons Yachts.”