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 of the luxury hotel chain’s new maritime division, docked in the Balearic capital as part of its summer itinerary through the Mediterranean, during its inaugural season.
The stop in Palma also has special importance, as the brand has managed the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor – the historic hotel on the Pollença peninsula – since 2024; this marks its first foray onto the island and it 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 beginning as a ship with a residential atmosphere, designed to bring the standard of service found in its hotels to the high seas. Measuring 207 meters in length and spanning 15 decks, the ship has just 95 suites (all with sea views; there are no inside cabins) and maintains a crew-to-guest ratio of one to one.
A design somewhere between Christina O and James Bond
The Four Seasons I was designed by the Swedish company Tillberg Design of Sweden, which led the project from its initial concept (described as a fusion between Aristotle Onassis’s legendary Christina O and the world of James Bond) to the exterior architecture, suites, and main public spaces. Finnish naval architect Foreship participated in the initial technical concept, while Italian shipyard Fincantieri built the vessel. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio designed the restaurants and social areas, under the creative direction of Prosper Assouline.
The ship’s crown jewel is the Funnel Suite, a nearly 929-square-meter residence located at the bow, with curved, floor-to-ceiling windows that, according to the company, form the largest continuous glass surface of any yacht. At the opposite end, the Loft Suite occupies 743 square meters and features a spacious aft-facing terrace.
On board, the yacht features 11 restaurants and lounges, including Sedna, which hosts a rotating program of Michelin-starred chefs from the group’s own portfolio: Christian Le Squer (Le Cinq, Paris), Luca Piscazzi (Pelagos, Athens), and Guillaume Galliot (Caprice, Hong Kong). Another must-visit spot is Miuna, specializing in Mediterranean omakase. The Oceana Spa, on Deck Four, offers a full spa experience with a hammam, cryotherapy, and treatments from La Mer, Margy’s Monte Carlo, and Ignae.
The Four Seasons I set sail on its inaugural voyage on March 20, 2026, coinciding symbolically with the brand’s 65th anniversary. For its first season, the company has scheduled 32 cruises with 52 departures to more than 130 destinations in over 30 countries, from the Mediterranean in the summer to the Caribbean and the Bahamas in the winter. The second yacht in the fleet, the Four Seasons II, is scheduled for 2027.
