Last Sunday, the port of Palma welcomed one of the most talked-about stops of the nautical summer in the Balearic Islands. The Four Seasons I, the first yacht from the luxury hotel chain’s new maritime division, docked in the Balearic capital as part of its summer itinerary through the Mediterranean during its debut season.
The stopover in Palma also holds special significance, as the brand has been operating the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca in Formentor—the historic hotel on the Pollença Peninsula—since 2024. This marks its first venture on the island and is now one of the leading names in luxury tourism in the Balearic Islands.
This is no ordinary cruise ship. The hotel chain conceived it from the outset as a residential-style vessel, designed to bring the level of service found in its hotels out to sea. Measuring 207 meters in length and featuring 15 decks, the ship has only 95 suites (all with ocean views; there are no interior cabins) and maintains a ratio of nearly one crew member per guest.
A design that’s a cross between Christina O and James Bond
The Four Seasons I was designed by the Swedish firm Tillberg Design of Sweden, which led the project from its initial concept (described as a fusion of Aristotle Onassis’s legendary Christina O and the world of James Bond) through to the exterior architecture, the suites, and the main spaces. The Finnish naval architect Foreship was involved in the initial technical concept, while the Italian shipyard Fincantieri built the ship. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio designed the restaurants and social spaces, under the creative direction of Prosper Assouline.
The jewel of the ship is the Funnel Suite, a residence spanning nearly 929 square meters located at the bow, with curved floor-to-ceiling windows that, according to the company, form the largest continuous expanse of glass on a yacht. At the opposite end, the Loft Suite spans 743 square meters and features a spacious terrace facing the stern.
On board, the yacht features 11 restaurants and lounges, including Sedna, which hosts a rotating lineup of Michelin-starred chefs from the company’s own group: Christian Le Squer (Le Cinq, Paris), Luca Piscazzi (Pelagos, Athens), and Guillaume Galliot (Caprice, Hong Kong). Another must-visit is Miuna, which specializes in Mediterranean omakase. L’Oceana Spa, on deck four, offers a complete spa experience with a hammam, cryotherapy, and treatments by La Mer, Margy’s Monte Carlo, and Ignae.
The Four Seasons I set sail on its maiden voyage on March 20, 2026, symbolically coinciding with the brand’s 65th anniversary. For its first season, the company has scheduled 32 voyages with 52 departures to more than 130 destinations in over 30 countries, ranging from the Mediterranean in the summer to the Caribbean and the Bahamas in the winter. The fleet’s second yacht, the Four Seasons II, is scheduled to launch in 2027.
