Four Seasons Yachts Ushers in a New Era of Luxury Travel with CEO Larry Pimentel at the Helm
Four Seasons Yachts, under the visionary leadership of CEO Larry Pimentel, is set to redefine luxury sea travel with its first vessel launching in 2025, followed by a second in 2026 and a potential third. Pimentel, a renowned figure in the cruise industry with experience leading Azamara, SeaDream Yacht Club, Cunard, and Seabourn, describes the venture as a “category of one” – a unique hybrid of a cruise ship and a yacht, unparalleled in quality, space per passenger, and the backing of one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands.
Pimentel emphasizes that Four Seasons Yachts is not merely entering the cruise industry but creating a new class of sea travel that echoes the quality and style of Four Seasons hotels. The first yacht, departing in November 2025 from Florida, and its successor in November 2026, will offer seven-day sailings, catering to time-conscious entrepreneurs with options for back-to-back sailings. The itineraries will explore the Caribbean in winter and spring before moving to the Mediterranean, including the French and Italian Rivieras, the Adriatic coastline, and the Greek Isles.
The design and luxury of these yachts are unparalleled, as Pimentel notes, inspired by iconic figures and themes like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s husband’s yacht, Christina O, and the “cool” of James Bond movies. With a cost of $4.3 million per stateroom against an industry average of $850,000, the level of luxury is unprecedented. These yachts, carrying only 190 guests on a 34,000-ton vessel with 14 decks, offer more space per person than any ship in the market.
The operational aspect of Four Seasons Yachts is unique, with Four Seasons having equity in the project and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, led by Philip Levine and Nadim Ashi, owning the majority. Four Seasons will manage the onboard experience and shore excursions, ensuring the standards synonymous with its brand.
The company aims to provide immersive experiences rather than just visiting numerous ports. Shore excursions, currently in the design phase, promise to be distinct from traditional models. The vessels will feature “limo tenders” for personal exploration and staff accommodations for guests bringing their own personnel. Full-ship charters are expected to comprise a significant portion of the business.
Each ship’s centerpiece, the Funnel Suite, offers over 9,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor space, setting a new benchmark in luxury sea accommodations. Suites feature extensive terrace decks, ranging from 100 to nearly 5,000 square feet.
Pimentel’s approach to marketing these yachts is as exclusive as the experience itself, with an invitation-only booking process for loyal Four Seasons hotel customers and a waitlist open to others. The booking experience is personalized, with high commissions for travel advisors and no toll-free numbers, emphasizing the luxury and exclusivity of the brand.
With a subtle “whisper campaign” marketing strategy, Four Seasons Yachts is poised to become the epitome of luxury sea travel, offering affluent travelers an unparalleled experience on the waves. Pimentel’s leadership and vision are set to transform the luxury travel landscape, making Four Seasons Yachts a beacon of sophistication and exclusivity in the world of sea voyages.