Four Seasons follows Ritz-Carlton into the luxury cruise market

The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts group is entering the luxury cruise market with a new Four Seasons Yachts brand, positioning it to compete with the Ritz-Carlton Collection.

An order has been placed for a 95-suite cruising superyacht, with options for two more, valued at 1.2 billion euros.

The vessels will be built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri, with collaboration by Nadim Ashi and Philip Levine, luxury entrepreneurs and the visionaries of this yacht experience.

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The first ship is due for delivery in 2025 and will have a 180-guest capacity across 14 decks. Although designed and described as a cruising superyacht, the vessel will be comparable in size to other ships in the luxury cruise segment at 207 metres in length.

Each suite will cost around US $4.2 million to build, suggesting an extremely high level of fit and finish.

“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.

“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,” he added.

Veteran luxury travel industry expert Larry Pimentel, the former President & CEO of Azamara, has been named as the CEO of the new venture.

“In partnership with Four Seasons, we are creating a new category of luxury lifestyle travel that appeals to discerning guests,” said Pimentel. “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.”

The first Four Seasons Yacht will offer nearly 50 percent more living space per guest than currently available, according to a press release. Each suite will offer floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed natural light and access to expansive terrace decks.

Suite accommodations will start at an average of 54 square meters (581 square feet), but 60% of the vessel’s inventory will exceed 76 square meters (818 square feet), while the largest stateroom, The Funnel Suite, will be 892 square meters (9,601 square feet).

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 guest areas.

Four Seasons says the ship has been designed so that guests will never be far from a perfect bite or drinkpaired with remarkable sea views, whether that’s a cappuccino in the lobby, a Mediterranean-inspired lunch, a dinner tasting at the sushi bar or a glass of champagne on the terrace.