The rise of the cruise yacht

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s IIma has been delivered and Four Seasons Yachts has celebrated the start of construction of Four Seasons I, which will be delivered by the end of 2025 and will take to sea in early 2026.

These announcements highlight two themes that will have an impact on design trends: not only the rise of the yacht within the cruise industry, but the rise of the hotel-branded yacht.

Four Seasons I has 95 exclusive suites. These are “characterised by an extraordinary personalised design, to remove any obstacle between guests, the sea and the surrounding environment, thus creating a perfect combination”, said a statement from the yacht’s builder, Fincantieri. 

Each suite has a large outdoor terrace of varying sizes, from 6-13 m² in the Seaview suite to almost 457 m² in the Funnel suite, which will be the most exclusive accommodation on the yacht.

In an interview with Forbes, Four Seasons president and chief executive Alejandro Reynal highlights the major drivers behind the design. “As we’ve done with the other businesses, we want to create a best-in-class, unparalleled experience. We do that in our hotel and resorts so now we are replicating the same at sea. When you look into the design of the vessel itself, we’re taking all the considerations to make the guest and product experience incredible.”

Space is also a driving factor for Ilma, with Chantiers de l’Atlantique saying, “Each airy suite features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace with sweeping sea views, connecting travellers with the shores they are sailing. With one of the highest space ratios at sea, Ilma includes two new, spacious upper category suites offering ample outdoor space to lounge and soak in the enchanting scenery.”

A yacht design mixed with a hotel brand has an interesting impact on cruise design, and could be the start of a wider trend.