By
Alex Smith |
Hotel and resort company Four Seasons is launching a new cruise venture, Four Seasons Yachts.
The new company will be founded in partnership with luxury shipping specialists Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, whose founders Nadim Ashi and Phillip Levine will serve as co-executive chairs. Four Seasons is also partnering with Fincantieri, which will deliver the company’s first ship by the end of 2025. The order also includes the option for two additional vessels and represents and investment of €1.2 billion ($1.18 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,” says Christian Clerc, president of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Together with our partners at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, 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 vessel will be 207 metres long and 27 metres wide with 14 decks. It will feature 95 suites which can be combined to create villa-like residences. Each suite will offer floor-to-ceiling windows providing access to terrace decks. Accommodations will have an average of 54 square metres of indoor and outdoor living space, with the largest ‘Funnel Suite’ offering over 892 square meters over four levels, including a private wading pool and dedicated private spa area. Each suite will cost an average of $4.2 million to build and outfit.
The yacht will offer a range of restaurant, lounge and bar concepts, with culinary and hospitality expertise provided by Four Seasons. It will also offer a full-service spa, salon and wellness programming. The ship will feature a canoe-shaped stern, which will accommodate a large pool on the fifth deck that can transform into an outdoor movie theatre or private event space. A port-to-starboard transversal ‘dual marina’ will bring guests to sea level for activities and transfers to shore and can also transform into a floating dining experience. The onboard experience will be led and staffed by a dedicated Four Seasons Yacht team.
Design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden have been engaged as lead architect for the project and will be responsible for the design of exterior and guest suites. London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio will create many of the yacht’s guest areas, while Prosper Assouline will provide creative direction for the ship.
“We are delighted to bring our expertise in both yacht and cruise ship design to this unique and exciting project,” said Fredrik Johansson, partner and executive director at Tillberg Design of Sweden. “It is a collaboration with a brand that understands the expectations and desires of the yachting world and is dedicated to creating a guest experience that is unparalleled.”
The vessel is currently being designed in Trieste, Italy, by Fincantieri, and is planned as the first of a fleet of vessel over the next five years. It is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2025.
“We are excited to embrace this new opportunity with Four Seasons that will allow us to strengthen our global leadership position,” says Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri. “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.”