Fincantieri's Ancona yard lays the keel for Four Seasons I, a 'dream come true'

The 34,000gt, 679-foot/207-meter Four Seasons I will have 95 massive suites. Delivery is on track for late 2025, with Caribbean service set to begin in early 2026.

'We are proud to celebrate this occasion with our partners at Marc-Henry and Fincantieri, building excitement for 2026 and beyond aboard Four Seasons Yachts,' said Alejandro Reynal, president and CEO, Four Seasons.

'This monumental occasion is a celebration of innovation, excellence and our strategic vision to redefine luxury at sea,' said Nadim Ashi, owner and executive chair, Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, joint owner/operator, Four Seasons Yachts and founder and CEO of Fort Partners.

'Today’s momentum and excitement will undoubtedly continue through the remainder of the construction process,' he continued, 'and we pay homage to all of the artisans creating this magnificent Four Seasons yacht.'

'Exquisite and specialty design details

For his part, Fredrik Johansson, partner and executive director of Tillberg Design of Sweden, said the 'innovative steel backbone' of Four Seasons I 'provides structural integrity on which the remainder of the exquisite and specialty design details can be built.

'Panoramic glass on the exterior ensures that all suites and public spaces feature full length, floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an unparalleled level of openness and connection to the sea,' Johansson continued.

Four Seasons I is under construction at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard with delivery expected in late 2025

Who's who

Besides Ashi, Reynal and Johansson, other key players on hand included Luigi Matarazzo, GM Fincantieri merchant ships division; Gilberto Tobaldi, director of the Ancona shipyard; Daniele Fanara, director, newbuilding and after-sales; Bart Carnahan, president, global business development, portfolio management and residential, Four Seasons; Sheikh Sultan J. Al-Thani; Prosper Assouline, creative director, Four Seasons Yachts; and, from Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, former Seabourn President Josh Leibowitz, senior advisor; Donald Mason, CFO; and John Polimenakos, CIO. 

'Dream come true'

For Mason, who was the first employee of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings in 2019 and was instrumental in drafting the business plan and financial models, witnessing the keel-laying was a 'tremendous honor ... Having worked on this for the last five-plus years, it was an emotional day for me,' he said.

'I really feel blessed to work with Four Seasons, the best luxury hotel company in the world, to bring this to fruition.

'It's a dream of mine that came true today.'

'Outstanding sales'

Sales for Four Seasons I have been 'outstanding,' according to Mason, whose cruise background includes Crystal, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara.

Commemorative coins

Three good luck coins were welded into the keel: a 1984 500 Italian lire, commemorating the year Fincantieri became an operating company; a 1961 Canadian silver dollar, marking the year Four Seasons was founded; and a 2024 American silver dollar, representing the base of operations for Four Seasons Yachts and start of construction for Four Seasons I.