The first Four Seasons hotel opened exactly 65 years ago in Toronto, making the inaugural voyage of Four Seasons I all the more meaningful. It was a special opportunity to join Four Seasons founder Isadore Sharp and his wife Rosalie, who were named the yacht’s godparents as they christened the vessel.
This was my first experience at sea on anything resembling a cruise ship, though I quickly learned that the team will politely correct you if you call it that. The distinction matters. Traditional cruising has largely been defined by scale and abundance, with thousands of guests, expansive entertainment venues, and constant activity. Four Seasons has taken the opposite approach, designing an experience built on curation and control.
With just 95 suites and a one-to-one guest-to-staff ratio, the yacht fundamentally changes the dynamics of hospitality at sea. There are no lines, no buffets, and complete flexibility in how you spend your time. The experience feels closer to that of a private yacht, which explains a lot.
Every aspect of the yacht reflects a level of consideration that goes beyond aesthetics. Under the creative direction of Prosper Assouline, who joined us on the voyage, the design language is refined without being excessive, drawing subtle inspiration from the golden age of yachting while remaining distinctly modern.
The architecture reinforces this philosophy. Floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive terraces, and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living ensure that the surrounding environment remains the focal point. Even the technology has been approached with restraint. Televisions developed by Bang & Olufsen become transparent when not in use, preserving uninterrupted views of the sea.
While the design sets the tone, the heart of the experience is the staff. They are knowledgeable, genuinely engaged, and take real pride in creating memorable moments for guests. Jolly, a bartender at Bar O, says that he puts a bit of joy into every glass, and as I took my first sip, his smile made it clear he meant it.
Four Seasons CEO Alejandro Reynal says, “We hire for attitude and train for skill.” It is a philosophy that carries across the brand and one that shows up in the numbers, with roughly half of the current yacht bookings coming from existing Four Seasons guests.
Ben Trodd, CEO of Four Seasons Yachts, also believes that success hinges as much on people as it does on the vessel itself. His leadership experience at both Four Seasons and Aman prepared him for what is a natural extension of the brand. As we circled the ship on the tender, there was a visible sense of pride in what had been seven years in the making. This is only the beginning. Two additional vessels are already underway, each set to introduce a limited number of Four Seasons residences at sea.
Four Seasons I is also a true gastronomic destination. The Chef-in-Residence program, which brings a rotating roster of Michelin-starred chefs onboard, underscores this commitment. During the voyage, the experience was anchored by Christian Le Squer of Le Cinq, whose approach to dining translated seamlessly to sea.
The wine program, curated by one of the world’s top sommeliers, Eric Beaumard, reflects a similar philosophy, thoughtful, balanced, and designed to enhance rather than overwhelm. The cigar lounge, created by Manu Harit of The Tasting Room at The Peninsula London, welcomes guests each evening with cigars and craft cocktails built around the yacht’s vintage spirits collection.
Wellness is similarly integrated into the experience rather than treated as a standalone offering. L’Oceana Spa offers a range of treatments and therapies aligned with a broader focus on longevity and restoration. From thermal circuits to advanced recovery technologies, the programming reflects the priorities of a guest who increasingly values how they feel as much as where they are.
That philosophy carries through to the itineraries. Rather than relying on standardized excursions, each journey is tailored to the individual guest, balancing iconic destinations such as Saint-Tropez and Bodrum with lesser-traveled ports like Hydra and Montenegro. The emphasis is on depth rather than breadth, and on creating experiences that feel personal rather than programmed.
Taken together, these elements reflect a broader shift in luxury travel. In a post-COVID era, experiences and the memories they create have become the currency of value.
For years, the cruise industry has operated under the assumption that bigger is better. Four Seasons I challenges that notion, suggesting instead that value lies in curation, space, and the thoughtful use of time.
As the journey came to a close, it became clear that Four Seasons has not simply entered a new category. It has made a statement about where luxury is heading. At a time when success affords more options than ever, the real differentiator is not access, but intention. How you choose to spend your time. Who you choose to spend it with. And the environments that allow you to be fully present in both.
Four Seasons I delivers on that idea with discipline and clarity. It does not try to do more. It focuses on doing less, better. And in doing so, it raises the bar not just for travel at sea, but for how we define luxury in the first place.
