Four Seasons has spent 65 years teaching guests what to expect from a stay on land. With Four Seasons I, the company is betting those same habits can travel by water. The first ship from Four Seasons Yachts set out on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean on March 20, 2026, and the company describes it as the first time its hotel-style service has gone to sea.
The date was picked on purpose. The first Four Seasons hotel opened on the first day of spring in 1961, so the launch landed on the brand’s 65th anniversary. Founder and Chairman Isadore Sharp and his wife, Rosalie Sharp, were named the ship’s godparents, following the old maritime custom of giving a new vessel a sponsor as it starts its first journey.
“Four Seasons Yachts is a continuation of the pioneering ambition on which Four Seasons was built,” Alejandro Reynal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons, said in the company’s announcement.
More Residence Than Cruise Ship
At 207 metres (679 feet), Four Seasons I is long by any yachting measure, yet it carries just 95 suites. According to Four Seasons, every suite has indoor and outdoor living space, there are no interior cabins, and the ship runs at one staff member for every guest. Many suites have large terraces, and some have their own plunge pools.
The look borrows from the golden age of yachting, with the company citing the famous superyacht Christina O as an inspiration. A long list of names shaped it: Tillberg Design of Sweden handled the overall design, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio did the social spaces, Prosper Assouline gave creative direction, and the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri built it. Floor-to-ceiling windows and wide terraces keep the sea in view from most rooms.
The two biggest suites sit at opposite ends of the ship. The Funnel Suite, at nearly 10,000 square feet, faces forward from the prow behind curved glass that Four Seasons says is the largest continuous piece of glass at sea. The Loft Suite, at close to 8,000 square feet, looks back over the wake from a large aft terrace.
Eleven Places to Eat, and Chefs on Rotation
Food is a large part of the pitch. The ship has 11 restaurants and lounges, ranging from Mediterranean seafood to an intimate omakase counter. The main restaurant, Sedna, hosts a Chef-in-Residence series that brings in chefs from Michelin-starred Four Seasons restaurants for short stays. The first names include Christian Le Squer of Le Cinq in Paris, Luca Piscazzi of Pelagos in Athens, Guillaume Galliot of Caprice in Hong Kong, Yoric Tièche of Le Cap in Cap-Ferrat and Paolo Lavezzini of Il Palagio in Florence.
For drinks, Horizon Bar is the open-air daytime spot, with its own plunge pool, while Bar O is a smaller lounge built around cocktails and rare spirits.
A Spa, and a Marina That Opens on Both Sides
Wellness is centred on L’Oceana Spa, which has a hammam and a thermal circuit with sauna, aromatic steam and cold therapies, plus cryotherapy, infrared beds and hydrotherapy. The daily program includes sunrise yoga and meditation on deck, private breathwork, personal training and guided mindfulness.
The feature most guests will notice is the transverse marina, which opens across both sides of the ship. On dedicated Marina Days, the ship stops in quiet water and the marina becomes a swimming and water-sports platform. Four Seasons says few vessels anywhere offer that kind of direct access to the sea.
Shore trips are planned ahead of time around each guest rather than sold from a set menu of excursions, the company says. A Four Seasons Yachts Experiences team builds the plans, which can range from quiet coastal outings to hard-to-get restaurant tables.
Where It Sails
The first season pairs well-known ports such as Saint-Tropez and Bodrum with quieter harbours like Hydra and stops in Montenegro, along with sailings around the Greek Isles and the Croatian coast. Four Seasons I spends summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. A second ship, Four Seasons II, is due in 2027.
Four Seasons I at a Glance
- Maiden voyage: March 20, 2026, in the Mediterranean
- Length: 207 metres (679 feet)
- Suites: 95, all with indoor-outdoor space; no interior cabins
- Staffing: one crew member per guest, according to Four Seasons
- Dining: 11 restaurants and lounges, including Sedna and its Chef-in-Residence series
- Debut year: 32 voyages across 52 sailings, about 130 destinations in more than 30 countries and territories
- Owners and partners: Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd. (joint owner and operator), Fincantieri (builder) and Four Seasons
- Next ship: Four Seasons II, expected in 2027
Source: Four Seasons Yachts announcement, March 20, 2026. Photos courtesy of Four Seasons Yachts.
