Four Seasons I Christened in Malaga and Sets Sail on Inaugural Grand Mediterranean Voyage

Four Seasons has officially entered the ultra-luxury yachting world, christening its first yacht, Four Seasons I, in Malaga before sending her off on a nine-night Grand Mediterranean inaugural voyage from Malaga to Malta. It’s a debut that blends old-school maritime tradition, next‑generation ship technology and that very particular Four Seasons style of polished, quietly confident luxury.

Christening in Malaga: A New Chapter for Four Seasons

Overnight in Malaga, Spain, Four Seasons Yachts’ first vessel Four Seasons I was christened in a ceremony that CEO Ben Trodd described as “one of the proudest days of my professional life.” The event comes almost four years after the order was first placed with Fincantieri, and was hosted by Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, with key industry guests and the yacht’s inaugural Captain Kate McCue in attendance.

Adding real emotional weight, Four Seasons Founder and Chairman Isadore Sharp and his wife Rosalie were named godparents of Four Seasons I, honouring the long maritime tradition of blessing a vessel before it begins its journeys. Their presence is more than symbolic: the yacht officially enters service 65 years to the day since the first Four Seasons hotel opened on the first day of spring in 1961, turning this launch into a bridge between the brand’s past and its sea‑bound future.

Inaugural Voyage: Grand Mediterranean from Malaga to Malta

On 20 March 2026, Four Seasons I sets off on her maiden voyage, a nine-night Grand Mediterranean cruise from Malaga to Valletta, Malta, calling at chic favourites such as Saint‑Tropez and Trapani along the way. The timing is deliberate: the inaugural sailing lands exactly on the brand’s 65th anniversary, turning this first journey into both a celebration and a statement of intent.

From day one, the yacht is positioning itself as a new frontier in ultra‑luxury sea travel – not a traditional cruise ship, but a residential‑style yacht with the feel of a private club and the service DNA of Four Seasons hotels. Expect access to exclusive ports and yacht‑only harbours, along with Shore and Sea Experiences tailored in advance by the dedicated Four Seasons Yachts team, so no two guests’ itineraries look quite the same.

Design: A Residential Superyacht With Intelligent DNA

At 207 metres and around 34,000 gross tons, Four Seasons I sits firmly in “superyacht‑scale” territory, yet carries just 95 all‑suite accommodations for an intentionally intimate guest count and a one‑to‑one guest‑to‑staff ratio. Every suite is outward‑facing – no interior cabins at all – and designed as a private sanctuary, with generous terraces, floor‑to‑ceiling glass and open‑air living that erases the line between yacht and sea.

The design story nods to the golden age of yachting, drawing inspiration from the legendary Christina O, then reinterpreting it through a modern lens. Tillberg Design of Sweden leads the overall vision, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio shapes the social spaces, and creative direction from Prosper Assouline adds that editorial, art‑driven layer you’d expect from Four Seasons.

Two headline suites bookend the ship:

• The Funnel Suite, nearly 10,000 square feet (929 sqm) at the forward prow, with sweeping panoramic views.
• The Loft Suite, close to 8,000 square feet (743 sqm) aft, with a vast terrace made for private parties and golden‑hour lounging.

Beneath the beauty, Four Seasons I is also billed as the world’s first intelligent ultra‑luxury vessel. Built under Fincantieri’s Navis Sapiens programme, she runs on an integrated digital architecture that uses real‑time data and AI to support safer, more efficient and future‑proof operations. The system is scalable, meaning new technologies can be introduced over time without compromising the guest experience – a quiet, but important, flex.

Culinary: Eleven Venues and a Chef-in-Residence Program

If you love Four Seasons for its food, Four Seasons I is essentially a floating, multi‑city restaurant week. There are 11 distinct restaurants and lounges, ranging from refined Mediterranean seafood to a jewel‑box omakase counter, all built around craftsmanship and local, seasonal sourcing.

At the centre of it all is Sedna, which hosts a Chef‑in‑Residence series featuring talent from Michelin‑starred Four Seasons restaurants around the world. Names include:

• Christian Le Squer – Le Cinq, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
• Luca Piscazzi – Pelagos, Athens
• Guillaume Galliot – Caprice, Hong Kong
• Yoric Tièche – Le Cap, Cap‑Ferrat
• Paolo Lavezzini – Il Palagio, Florence

Each residency brings immersive tasting menus and one‑off dining journeys that turn dinner into a full‑scale experience rather than just another course on the daily schedule.

Beyond the main dining rooms, social spaces like Horizon Bar and Bar O extend the culinary story. Horizon Bar pairs a dramatic open‑air design and its own plunge pool with all‑day grazing and sundowners, while Bar O leans into rare spirits and crafted cocktails in a richly designed lounge that begs for a slow nightcap.

Wellness & Marina Life: From L’Oceana Spa to a Transverse Marina

Wellbeing is baked into the concept rather than tacked on. At the heart of the ship is L’Oceana Spa, guided by the five elements of vitality and inspired by the restorative power of the sea. Expect:

• A full thermal circuit with sauna, aromatic steam, cold therapies and hydrotherapy.
• Hammam, cryotherapy, infrared therapy beds and advanced recovery treatments for guests who treat wellness like a lifestyle, not a once‑a‑year massage.
• Daily programming such as sunrise yoga and meditation on deck, breathwork, personalised training and guided mindfulness.

Menus and nutrition programmes are designed to align with individual goals, from longevity‑focused dining to plant‑rich or performance‑led choices, reflecting the priorities of guests for whom intentional living is non‑negotiable.

Then there’s the transverse marina – a rare feature that opens across both sides of the yacht, turning into a private seaside club with direct water access, water sports and curated activities during dedicated Marina Days. It’s less “quick dip from the back of a ship” and more “designer beach house with its own toys, minus the sand in your shoes.”

Itineraries: A New Way to See the Med (and Beyond)

For its inaugural season, Four Seasons I focuses on Mediterranean itineraries that pair iconic ports with off‑radar enclaves. Think:

• Saint‑Tropez and Bodrum alongside boutique harbours like Hydra and hidden corners of Montenegro.
• Sailings through the Greek Islands and along the Croatian coast, intentionally avoiding a “tick‑box” feeling in favour of slower, more curated time in each place.

Across the debut year, the yacht will introduce 32 voyages across 52 sailings, touching 130 destinations in 30+ countries and territories, with a Med‑focused summer and Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries in winter. Each journey is backed by custom Shore and Sea Experiences, tailored in advance to match each guest or group’s interests – from private cultural encounters and coastal hikes to coveted restaurant bookings and bespoke adventures.

This is not a “shore excursion brochure” affair; it’s closer to having a travel design team attached to your suite.

Four Seasons has always traded on the promise that wherever you go, the experience will feel considered, calm and quietly exceptional. With Four Seasons I now christened and sailing, that promise finally extends to the sea – not as another cruise line, but as a yacht‑scale, design‑led, service‑obsessed interpretation of modern yachting.

To dive deeper into Four Seasons I, future voyages and the broader vision for Four Seasons Yachts, visit:
https://www.fourseasonsyachts.com