Tag Archives: Four Seasons

Four Seasons II Revealed with New Yacht Residential Suites

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Four Seasons II Revealed with New Yacht Residential Suites

Four Seasons Yachts has introduced the Four Seasons II, which showcases a new caliber of accommodation through its Yacht Residential Suites. The ship will start sailing in 2028, debuting in April in the Eastern Mediterranean following its delivery from Fincantieri.

“Following an exceptional launch for this new venture, we are thoughtfully expanding our fleet in a way that continues to elevate the experience,” said Ben Trodd, CEO, Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., joint owner/operator of Four Seasons Yachts.

“The Four Seasons II builds on this foundation, introducing new offerings on the water while deepening personalization and expanding access through the introduction of residential-scale suites,” added Trodd.

“Every detail has been considered to ensure guests feel an effortless sense of home, wherever they are sailing.”

The new yacht will feature 79 expansive suites, including a new collection of Yacht Residential Suites alongside a one-to-one guest-to-staff ratio.

“Four Seasons has always been defined by the quality of experience we create and the genuine care with which we deliver it,” said Alejandro Reynal, president and CEO of Four Seasons.

“Our first vessel has shown how naturally this extends to sea. With the Four Seasons II, we will continue to build on that foundation, creating experiences that feel deeply personal, thoughtfully designed, and unmistakably Four Seasons,” added Reynal.

Debuting in 2028, the Four Seasons II will mirror the intimate scale and design-forward philosophy of the first vessel, while introducing the new and expansive Yacht Residential Suites.

Designed for those seeking the ultimate in space, privacy and flexibility, the suites offer a residential-scale experience at sea, complete with open-concept living, private terraces and bespoke service tailored to each guest.

Ranging from two- to four-bedroom suites and positioned across the upper decks, the Yacht Residential Suites are ideal for extended stays, group travel and multi-generational journeys.

Features include integrated lifestyle kitchens and dining spaces, dedicated entertainment areas, and, in select suites, private splash pools, outdoor showers and wellness-focused amenities.

A dedicated concierge ensures every detail, from personalized dining to curated Shore and Sea Experiences, is arranged.

Voyages for the inaugural season are now open for booking.

Malta Eyes Luxury Cruise Growth and Homeporting Expansion

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Malta Eyes Luxury Cruise Growth and Homeporting Expansion

Malta is working to attract more boutique cruise ships and expand homeporting operations, according to Arthur Grima, director of marketing for the Malta Tourism Authority.

In 2025, in addition to 4 million tourists, the destination welcomed 870,560 cruise passengers who visited the country as part of 387 calls.

While overall passenger volume increased by 2.5 percent compared to the previous year, the average number of guests per vessel dropped from 2,339 to 2,250.

According to Grima, the change is related to Malta’s interest in appealing to smaller, more manageable cruise vessels.

“We are attracting a lot of these boutique, smaller ships,” Grima said, highlighting new operations from high-end operators like Ponant, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman.

“These are the types of brands and vessels that we are prioritizing because they help us mitigate the crowds. When you have a large ship coming in and 7,000 people enter Valletta at one go, it doesn’t create a nice impression,” he told Cruise Industry News.

In addition to this new focus on smaller vessels, Malta is also expanding the number of overnight cruise calls. The destination saw nearly 46,000 cruisers stay overnight in 2025, up from roughly 30,000 in 2024.

Grima highlighted the economic impact of the longer stays, noting that Malta continues to push for more homeporting business in Valletta.

He said that homeporting operations drive a higher economic impact with pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and additional onshore spending.

Central to the homeporting strategy is the North American market, Grima explained. Guests from the U.S. and Canada currently represent 21 percent of Malta’s total cruise arrivals, making the region the destination’s top source market.

To capitalize on this demographic, Malta is leveraging a new direct Delta Air Lines flight from New York (JFK) launching this June.

“The new Delta flight is a game-changer for us,” Grima said. “It will provide seamless connections for the American visitor. Homeporting is important for us because it works hand in hand with our aviation strategy. It improves connectivity, so it triggers demand both ways.”

The island’s appeal to these passengers and tourists is based on what Grima described as a 9,000-year history.

He said that Malta serves as a historical crossroads of civilizations and offers a unique cultural mix, including a Semitic language written in Latin script and a gastronomy that blends Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors.

Grima added that beyond its Grand Harbour, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the destination is highlighted by the world’s only underground megalithic temple, the Hypogeum, as well as medieval walled cities like Mdina.

To manage visitor flow and enhance sustainability, Malta is also promoting excursions to the island of Gozo via a 60-minute catamaran connection from Valletta.

Smaller ships can also visit Gozo directly and take advantage of a dedicated cruise buoy that facilitates tender operations, he added.

Grima noted that spreading the passenger load across the archipelago is a key pillar of the destination’s long-term strategy.

On the infrastructure side, Valletta Cruise Port can currently accommodate up to six ships simultaneously, including four large vessels and two smaller ones.

The port is also advancing its sustainability efforts through shore power infrastructure, which allows docked ships to turn off their engines and eliminate local emissions.

Malta is also investing in other infrastructure initiatives for tourists, including an expansion of the country’s airport and growth in its hotel inventory with brands like Hard Rock, which is opening a property on the island soon.

“We want the visitors to join us and enjoy our culture. We want them to visit as tourists and leave as locals,” Grima said.

“We see the cruisers as a ‘good investment’ because a lot of them return to Malta for longer stays afterward.”

Photo: Arthur Grima, director of marketing for the Malta Tourism Authority with Michelle Buttigieg, North America Representative Malta Tourism Authority.