Four Seasons has officially joined the ranks of luxury cruise operators by launching its first yacht: Four Seasons I, the debut vessel in the company’s new brandFour Seasons Yachts. The yacht made its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean on March 20.
Four Seasons I has been designed to feel more like a yacht than a cruise ship. A 207-metre vessel that contains 95 suites and luxurious indoor and outdoor spaces with an emphasis on privacy, the line estimates that the vessel can host a maximum of 222 passengers, creating a very exclusive atmosphere compared to traditional cruise lines.
The food along the yacht is also an interesting draw, with 11 restaurants, bars and lounges offering on board. It sets its own standard, offering authentic Mediterranean cuisine and serving fresh seasonal ingredients with creative cocktails and an intimate Japanese omakase experience which goes far beyond your typical cruise fare.
The most unique venue is Miuna which is an intimate sushi restaurant serving only 16 guests per seating. It offers an interactive omakase experience where sushi-goers can view and link up with the sushi artist while sampling the expertly paired seafood and beverages.
Four Seasons mentions this as a than just another restaurant on the ship. Another daily dining option is the Terrasse menu, offering French Riviera-style Mediterranean fare, including fresh fish.
Sedna, the yacht’s main restaurant, runs a whole Chef-in-Residence (CIR) series, with visiting members of the executive culinary team from the Four Seasons restaurants worldwide.
The oddest element of Four Seasons I is probably the transverse marina. Not hidden as a practical zone for tenders and water toys, it is extended across the two sides of the superstructure and turns the lower levels into an open air entertainment deck.
Yachts anchor in placid waters amid specially equipped home bases known as Marina Days.
Guests can just walk from the yacht into the sea or take a dip in a protected ocean-water pool integrated into the platform. There’s a lounge and Marina Bar so that floating guests can lounge or sightsee as they desire.
The choice of water toys adds to the individuality even further. Guests are able to paddle around on kayaks, paddle-boards, pedal-boards, electric hydro-foils and water-bikes some use their leisure time to discover the surroundings others dive in completely; Four Seasons I is also centred on personalised service.
The residential-style suites, large terraces and emphasis on the indoor-outdoor connection are designed to give the yacht an experience of a private sanctuary rather than a cruise ship.
For the first season, the yacht will cruise to Mediterranean region, stopping at various locations on the way including Saint-Tropez Bodrum Hydra and Montenegro. It is also planned to visit the Greek Isles and Croatian coast.