The Italian shipyard Fincantieri has signed a new contract with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, co-owner and joint operator of Four Seasons Yachts, for the construction of a third ultra-luxury hospitality vessel, a contract that strengthens the long-standing partnership between the two companies and consolidates Fincantieri’s leadership in the high-end hospitality-at-sea segment.
No official figures have been released regarding the agreement—which is still subject to securing financing and other standard conditions—although Fincantieri has described it as being of “great value,” a category the shipbuilder reserves for contracts worth between 500 and 1,000 million euros.
The new vessel will be delivered in 2031 and will become the third ship in a new class of ultra-luxury vessels designed and built by Fincantieri at its shipyard in Ancona. The first ship in this class, the Four Seasons I—the first vessel conceived under Fincantieri’s Navis Sapiens vision—began sailing in the Mediterranean in March of this year. The second ship, meanwhile, is scheduled to enter service in early 2028.
The third ship will retain the same residential-style, all-suite concept that has defined the first vessel. Measuring 207 meters in length and with a gross tonnage of approximately 34,000 metric tons, its suites will be designed to maximize guests’ connection to the ocean through spacious terraces and open-air outdoor spaces.
“This new order represents another significant step in the development of our partnership with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, an alliance that has become a benchmark for innovation in luxury hospitality at sea,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri. “The decision to expand the fleet with a third vessel reflects the strength of a long-term industrial vision and confirms the market’s enthusiastic reception of a concept that has successfully created a new segment at the intersection of luxury hospitality and cutting-edge shipbuilding.”
Folgiero also emphasized that the order responds to a growing demand for personalized travel experiences, and that Ancona is establishing itself as Fincantieri’s center of excellence for the construction of ultra-luxury vessels.
The Rise of Ultra-Luxury at Sea
Four Seasons’ foray into ultra-luxury cruises is part of a broader trend: hotel chains are extending their exclusive business model to the sea, at a time when privacy and tailor-made experiences are becoming increasingly crucial for high-end tourism. The new ship thus occupies the intersection between luxury private yachts and small-capacity cruise ships—a rapidly expanding segment.
