The difference between traditional land-based resorts and sea travel is fading. Luxury hotel brands are no longer confined to fixed addresses; they are now launching “yachting” that bring the same (or even heightened) levels of comfort, service, and exclusivity to the seas. In this new era of hospitality, travelers can experience the signature luxury of top-tier hotel brands like Four Seasons, Aman, Orient Express and Ritz-Carlton, while sailing across turquoise waters, exploring hidden coves and exotic ports, and enjoying bespoke travel itineraries tailored to their desires.
Four Seasons
Four Seasons has taken a bold step into maritime hospitality with the launch of Four Seasons Yachts, a fleet designed to deliver the brand’s renowned level of service and elegance on the open sea. The first vessel, known as Four Seasons I, is under construction with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and is scheduled to begin its inaugural voyages in 2026.
On board, instead of small cabins typical of cruise ships, guests will enjoy an all-suite, residential-style layout featuring 95 meticulously designed suites. Each suite comes with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping sea views, and many include private terraces to allow passengers to enjoy the sea breeze and scenery in total privacy.
Among the accommodations are the most expansive and luxurious, the so-called “signature suites.” At the top of the range sits the “Funnel Suite,” a stunning four-level suite spanning nearly 10,000 square feet (indoor and outdoor), with panoramic wraparound windows offering 280-degree views of the sea. This suite also features a private splash pool and spa area, a floating penthouse that rivals the most lavish residences on land.
Beyond the suites, Four Seasons Yachts aims to reproduce the full hospitality experience for which the brand is known. Guests will have access to a variety of dining venues, wellness and spa facilities, and a transverse marina that enables water-based activities and easy access to the sea, whether for swimming, watersports, or exploring secluded coves.
The itineraries are designed to appeal to travelers seeking both adventure and luxury. In its debut season, Four Seasons plans voyages across the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, visiting classic destinations as well as lesser-known gems. The routes combine iconic coastlines with hidden islands, giving guests the chance to customize their journey and enjoy exclusive experiences on land as well as sea.
Aman
The renowned hotel group Aman is also taking its signature approach to tranquility and understated luxury from their land-based resorts out onto the open sea with its first superyacht, named Amangati. The name, meaning “peaceful motion” in Sanskrit, reflects the brand’s ambition to create a floating sanctuary where guests enjoy serenity, elegance, and discretion. The vessel is currently under construction at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy, and is scheduled to launch in 2027.
Amangati will span roughly 183 meters (about 600 feet) and accommodate 47 suites. Each suite will be designed to maximize privacy and atmosphere: floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, spa-style bathrooms, and a refined interior palette of natural materials such as ashwood floors and travertine baths. High ceilings and expansive glass surfaces are intended to blur the boundary between indoor and ocean. Every detail on board, from lighting to materials to the layout, is conceived to reflect the calm, minimalist aesthetic for which Aman has become known in its resorts.
Beyond the accommodations, the onboard experience aims to mirror the holistic luxury of Aman land properties. Guests will have access to multiple dining venues offering international cuisine, a jazz club for intimate evenings, a spa crowned by a Japanese-garden retreat, and a beach club at the stern of the yacht that allows direct water access for swimming or other sea activities. The design seeks to combine the privacy of a boutique retreat with the ease of a full-service luxury resort, now at sea.
Amangati’s itineraries are expected to focus on the Mediterranean at launch, offering curated routes that lead guests through storied harbors and lesser-known anchorages alike. The aim is to grant travellers the freedom of yachting, exploring hidden coves or quaint coastal towns, while preserving the quiet luxury and service depth associated with Aman.
Orient Express
The luxury travel brand Orient Express is bringing its heritage of refinement and adventure from rail tracks and grand hotels to the open sea with its first superyacht, named Orient Express Corinthian. The Corinthian, which will launch in summer 2026, spans a majestic 220 metres, making it the world’s largest sailing yacht.
On board, only 54 exquisitely appointed suites accommodate up to 110 guests. Suites vary in size and design, but all share panoramic sea-facing windows or terraces, and lofty ceilings that open onto sweeping views. The décor reinterprets the golden age of travel with contemporary touches: fine craftsmanship, curated artwork, and a sense of understated elegance that evokes the brand’s storied legacy.
More than just a floating hotel, the Corinthian is built around a unique vision for modern yachting: it uses the innovative “SolidSail” system, enabling wind-powered propulsion under the right conditions. This makes the yacht both a marvel of engineering and a symbol of sustainable luxury, combining classic sailing romance with contemporary environmental awareness.
The onboard experience is richly layered: fine dining under the guidance of celebrated chefs, lounges and bars with sophisticated ambiance, a cabaret-style entertainment venue, a spa and wellness center, and even a marina and water-access amenities for sea-based activities. Guests will find both comfort and adventure with public spaces and bespoke suites, social gatherings and tranquil retreats.
The itineraries reflect the spirit of discovery for which Orient Express has been known for more than a century. Mediterranean and Adriatic voyages will take travelers to glamorous and intimate ports alike, from iconic spots to hidden coastal gems. In 2026, the first seasonal schedule runs from May to October, offering cruises from a few nights up to week-long experiences, with ports including Monte Carlo, Portofino and Saint-Tropez.
Ritz-Carlton
The hotel brand Ritz-Carlton has long been known for its impeccable service and upscale hospitality, and with the launch of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, that same standard of excellence is now setting sail. The first vessel, Evrima, made its maiden voyage in October 2022.
Evrima carries up to 298 guests in 149 suites, each with a private balcony, combining the intimacy and exclusivity of a high-end boutique hotel with the freedom of yachting. The design avoids cruise-ship clichés: there are no massive buffets or large show-rooms, but rather elegantly appointed dining venues, a refined spa, lounges and spaces designed for relaxation, all delivered with the personalized service Ritz-Carlton is famous for.
Following Evrima, the collection expanded: the second superyacht, Ilma, launched in September 2024, and the third, Luminara, is scheduled to enter service in 2025. Luminara in particular sets a new benchmark: with hundreds of suites, expansive interiors, multiple dining venues, luxurious amenities, and a spacious marina setup, it brings yacht-style cruising to the next level of luxury.
The itineraries offered by the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection combine both classic and off-the-beaten-path destinations, with seasonal voyages in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, and increasingly Asia-Pacific. What sets these cruises apart is the brand’s dedication to service: crew-to-guest ratios are high, staff are trained to anticipate needs and deliver tailored experiences, from fine dining to shore excursions, spa treatments to cultural explorations in each port.
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As leading luxury hotel brands move beyond the limits of land and onto the open sea, a new era of travel is taking shape. These yachts are not simply vessels but floating expressions of hospitality excellence, combining the privacy of a boutique retreat with the freedom to explore the world from a new perspective.
This shift reflects what today’s luxury travelers are seeking most: meaningful journeys, intimate surroundings, and immersive routes that reveal destinations in a more authentic way. With yachts designed for space, comfort, and individual attention, the concept of luxury at sea is being completely redefined.
If you are ready to experience this next generation of travel, the 79 team is here to guide you. From helping you choose the right yacht brand to planning an itinerary that matches your style, we are delighted to assist you in discovering the world through this extraordinary new lens of luxury.
