When Four Seasons announced its entry into the maritime sector, the project immediately generated enormous excitement. One of the world's most renowned hotel brands was preparing to bring its unique concept of luxury to the sea, based on personalized service, spaciousness, and a culinary and wellness offering characteristic of its hotels and resorts.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 78 – September 2026
The result is the Four Seasons I, the first ship of Four Seasons Yachts, which began its maiden voyage through the Mediterranean on March 20, 2026. The date was not accidental: it coincided with the 65th anniversary of the opening of the first Four Seasons hotel, inaugurated in 1961.
Built by Fincantieri, the ship is the result of a collaboration between Four Seasons and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., co-owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts. The architectural design was developed by Tillberg Design of Sweden, while Martin Brudnizki Design Studio contributed to the design of the social spaces, and Prosper Assouline served as creative director.
Measuring 207 meters in length, with a gross tonnage of 34,000 and 15 decks, the Four Seasons I doesn't aim to compete with larger cruise ships in terms of size or number of facilities. Its approach is precisely the opposite: it features only 95 suites for a maximum of 222 passengers, with an approximate ratio of one crew member per guest. The result is a ship designed with a distinctly residential feel, where space, privacy, and personalization are essential to the experience.
A ship designed for living by the sea.
One of the defining elements of the Four Seasons I is its connection to the outdoors. The ship's design eliminates interior cabins, opting instead for large glass surfaces, private terraces, and open spaces that keep the maritime environment constantly in view.
The common areas follow the same philosophy. The pool deck is one of the main hubs of activity during the day, featuring a large swimming pool, sunbathing areas, and spaces for enjoying sailing. In the evening, some of these areas can be transformed to host activities and events.
The Salon serves as one of the ship's main social spaces. Designed as a large, residential-inspired living room, it offers different atmospheres throughout the day, from breakfast and informal gatherings to afternoon tea or pre-dinner cocktails.
Another highlight is the Horizon Bar, an open-air lounge overlooking the sea, featuring a plunge pool and designed as a casual meeting place day and night. Also on board is Bar O, a more intimate and sophisticated option focused on cocktails and premium beverages.
L'Oceana Spa and wellness as part of the journey.
Wellness occupies an important place in the Four Seasons I's offering. The L'Oceana Spa has been designed as a space dedicated to recovery and relaxation, with treatments and circuits that include hammam, sauna, aromatic steam and different cold and recovery therapies.
The program also includes cryotherapy, infrared therapy beds, hydrotherapy, and other treatments focused on well-being and longevity. Activities such as sunrise yoga, meditation, private breathing sessions, personalized training, and mindfulness practices are also offered.
A gym was a must to complete the wellness offering, which is one of the company's pillars.
A marina that opens directly onto the sea.
One of the most unique features of the Four Seasons I is its transverse marina, designed to open onto both sides of the ship. During Marina Days, the space is transformed into a platform with direct access to the sea, offering water activities and recreational programming.
This concept allows you to take special advantage of stops in anchorages and protected waters, creating an experience closer to that of a private yacht.
Eleven dining and beverage options.
Gastronomy is another of the fundamental pillars of the Four Seasons I. Despite its small size, the ship has 11 restaurants, bars and lounges, an offering that combines fine dining restaurants with more informal spaces, cafes, specialty bars and in-suite dining.
Four Seasons has framed the offering as an extension of the culinary experience of its hotels, with special attention to local and seasonal ingredients and the participation of guest chefs from the company's restaurants in different parts of the world.
Breakfast is included, but, importantly, the rest of the food and drink experiences are extra, which is surprising for a property that starts at €20,000 for a basic suite for two people for a week.
Sedna is the flagship restaurant of the Four Seasons I and a central element of its culinary offerings. Its cuisine blends contemporary French techniques with international influences and evolves through special programs and collaborations with guest chefs.
The restaurant hosts the Chef-in-Residence series, featuring chefs from Four Seasons restaurants around the world. When there is no guest chef on board, the ship's culinary team develops a menu based on modern French techniques, accompanied by a selection of wines and pairings prepared by the sommeliers. Sedna also features a private dining room that seats ten.
Terrasse is dedicated to Mediterranean cuisine and draws inspiration from the social life of coastal destinations. Its menu extends from breakfast to dinner and combines indoor and outdoor spaces.
The menu includes seasonal products, fish and seafood, as well as different dishes prepared at open stations, with a cuisine that seeks to adapt to the regions through which the ship sails.
Japanese cuisine is represented by Miuna, a space dedicated to the omakase experience. With a limited number of seats, the restaurant fosters a direct relationship between chefs and diners, with a special focus on sushi and a selection of Japanese beverages and sake.
Its small size makes Miuna one of the most exclusive gastronomic options on the ship.
Pistachio is the most casual option for enjoying coffee, pastries, small sweets, and other treats throughout the day. The space offers everything from croissants and cakes to ice cream made fresh on board.
Its function is similar to that of a hotel cafeteria, offering a quick and informal alternative to full-service restaurants.
The Salon combines its function as a social space with a food and beverage service at different times of the day. There you can have breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea, or have an aperitif before dinner.
The Horizon Bar incorporates a more relaxed concept, linked to outdoor living and the poolside atmosphere, while Bar O specializes in a more sophisticated nighttime experience, with elaborate cocktails and a selection of premium drinks.
The culinary experience also extends to the accommodations. The Four Seasons I offers 24-hour in-suite dining, allowing guests to have breakfast on the terrace, arrange a private meal, or enjoy dinner without leaving the hotel.
95 Suites Designed as Private Residences
The 95 suites on the Four Seasons I are probably the element that best defines the project's philosophy. The ship has no interior cabins: all accommodations face the sea and have been designed with a distinctly residential character. The most basic suites start at 44 m2 of interior space and
Large windows, spacious interiors, and private outdoor areas are all part of the overall concept. Many suites also feature large terraces, while some of the more exclusive categories even include private pools.
The intention is for the accommodation to function more like a private residence than a conventional cabin.
One of the most interesting aspects of the design is the ability to combine certain accommodations. The system allows for the creation of larger configurations by connecting several suites, a solution especially suited to families or groups traveling together.
Funnel Suite, the grand residence of the Four Seasons |
The Funnel Suite is the most spectacular accommodation on the ship. Located in the bow area, it occupies approximately 929 square meters and is distributed over several levels.
The suite is distinguished by its expansive glass surfaces and panoramic sea views. Its design incorporates large interior and exterior spaces and represents the ultimate expression of the residential concept developed for the Four Seasons I.
Among its most striking features are the large curved floor-to-ceiling glass panels, which form part of one of the most unique glass structures installed on a passenger ship.
Loft Suite, Luxury at the Stern
At the opposite end of the ship is the Loft Suite, located at the stern. With approximately 743 square meters, it is another of the Four Seasons I's iconic accommodations.
Its most outstanding feature is its enormous terrace facing the wake of the ship, creating a private outdoor space that integrates with the views of the sailing.
Together with the Funnel Suite, it represents the highest level of onboard accommodation and encapsulates the overall philosophy of the project: large spaces, privacy, and an experience closer to a private residence at sea than to a traditional cruise ship cabin.
A new interpretation of luxury at sea.
The Four Seasons I arrives in the sector at a time when the luxury segment is increasingly seeking to differentiate itself through exclusivity, personalization and space per passenger, competing with established cruise lines such as Silversea or Regent, but also with other hotel proposals that are entering the business, such as Ritz-Carlton, Aman, or Orient-Express.
The ship's unique design, the exclusivity of carrying only 200 passengers, and truly captivating suites are its greatest strengths, while the extra-charge dining, contrary to the rest of the industry, could be a drawback. Or perhaps, it simply doesn't matter to the Four Seasons guest.
The Four Seasons II is already under construction, but it will only have 79 suites, opting for even larger sizes.
itinerary program
will extend summer in the Mediterranean until November, with routes departing from Monte Carlo, Palma de Mallorca, and Málaga. These itineraries include stops in such interesting and exclusive destinations as Cassis, Saint-Raphaël, Ponza Island, Gozo, and the Gulf of Castellammare, as well as more well-known locations like Cannes, Mahon, Bonifacio, Capri, and Taormina.
It will cross the Atlantic between November 8 and 16, departing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and ending in Philisburg, Saint Maarten.
He will spend the winter on cruises mainly around the Lesser Antilles, embarking primarily in Philisburg, Saint Maarten, but also in Miami or Saint Lucia.
In mid-March, it will cross the Atlantic again from Saint Maarten to Las Palmas, and will sail again in the Mediterranean, combining cruises through the Greek Islands, the Western Mediterranean, and even some with Morocco and the Canary Islands.
Four Seasons I mainly offers exclusive and original sun and beach destinations, in many cases more typical of yacht stops, and leaves out of its circuits northern Europe or more remote and exotic destinations for the time being.
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