New luxury yacht cruise line Four Seasons Yachts cuts steel on first newbuild

Four Seasons and luxury yachting company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings have celebrated the first steel cutting for the first vessel in the Four Seasons Yachts fleet.

Four Seasons Yachts, a joint venture between the two companies, represents the latest addition to a growing line-up of luxury hotel operators that are entering the luxury cruise sector, joining Ritz Carlton, Aman, and Orient Express.

The steel cutting was held at the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, in Ancona and was attended by Thatcher Brown, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Joint Operations of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, and Owner/Joint Operator of Four Seasons Yachts.

Also present were Damien O’Connor, Senior Vice President of Yacht Operations; Christian Urbat, Senior Vice President, Design Services Global of Four Seasons; Jan Sorensen, Vice President – New Build; John Polimenakos, Chief Information Officer; Captain William Wright, Senior Marine Advisor; and James Cabello, Head of Port Operations & Logistics, in addition to Fincantieri’s Shipyard Director Gilberto Tobaldi.

“Today is cause for great celebration, as this moment marks the beginning of the highly anticipated ship building process,” said Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings.

“We are officially on our way to creating this ‘category of one’ Four Seasons Yacht and this ceremonial start button will forever be remembered as a beloved milestone in this elegant vessel’s history,” he added.

The steel cutting for any new vessel represents the official start of production. The steel sheets are than used to build pre-fabricated ship sections, which are welded together in a dry dock like giant LEGO pieces.

Four Seasons Yachts’ first vessel will be a 95-suite cruising superyacht, scheduled for delivery in November 2025.

“As we eagerly approach the inaugural voyage of Four Seasons Yachts in 2025, I am proud to celebrate this exciting steel cutting milestone with our valued partners at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings and Fincantieri,” said Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of Four Seasons.

“Four Seasons Yachts will be another incredible luxury journey for our guests, complementing our Private Jet and Drive experiences and building upon the strength of our portfolio of iconic hotels and resorts worldwide.”

The first Four Seasons Yachts ship will feature 95 all-suite cabins, including The Funnel Suite: an expansive, four-storey penthouse space that is set to be one of the largest suites available on any cruise ship at 9,500 square feet.

The rest of the accommodations will be an average of about 580 square feet with a private veranda, measuring at least 100 square feet.

The ship will have an aft deck pool area featuring lounge chairs and a large 66-foot pool, which is modelled after Aristotle Onassis’ iconic yacht Christina O. 

The pool’s design means that its saltwater can be quickly filled or emptied and its floor raised to be level with the deck and provide a multi-purpose space for events like parties or weddings on board.

The ship will also boast a marina at the stern, built especially for swimming and water sports. Activities like private sailing, snorkelling, and windsurfing will be offered, as well as rentable custom crafted sea limousines for coastal exploring.

Overlooking the marina will be a sophisticated lounge with al fresco seating, while the ship will also feature luxury dining experiences, lounges and relaxation amenities such as a spa and wellness centre.