The place to be is on a deck chair aboard the new ‘yacht liner’ – heady drink in hand, sun overhead, and a pair of trained hands melting away shoulder tensions.
Tired of voyaging aboard those gigantic, soulless mass-market cruise ships with their small cabins, crowds and countless passengers? Well, Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) has come up with a rather unique answer to make cruising more intimate and much more comfortable.
The company has now designed the world’s first 207-meter ‘yacht liner’, which means it’s actually a small, private luxury cruse ship. The Four Seasons Limited, a famous brand that runs 127 luxury hotels and resorts all over the planet, commissioned the ultramodern and well-appointed boat. Four Seasons expects to take delivery of their liner in 2025. Incidentally, the owner of Four Seasons is none other than Microsoft’s Bill Gates.
TDoS is responsible for the luxury yacht liner’s exterior and master planning. The superyacht/liner is 207 metres long and 27 metres wide and will have 14 decks and 95 suites.
The largest accommodation, the Funnel Suite, will offer a mind-boggling 892sqm (9,600sqft) of living space distributed over four levels. The suite will also be accessible directly, discretely and privately, from a tender platform at water level. Naturally, the Four Seasons superyacht will also feature a number of swanky restaurants, lounges, bars, spas and other highly exclusive amenities.
TDoS also designed all the guest suite accommodations besides the Funnel Suite, and a few of the iconic shared guest areas onboard.
“This project confirms a new and strong trend in modern ocean-going craft-luxury yacht liners,” says TDoS Partner and Executive Director Fredrik Johansson. “They are a new breed of very exclusive vessels that combine the scale of small and intimate cruise ships with superyacht amenities, splendour and a high level of sophistication.
“Our new project started with a very clear and unique vision from our client. The brief was condensed into a single line: Imagine that Christina O (the legendary yacht built for Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis) meets James Bond….”
The harmonious lines and proportions of the Christina O, which also featured a very generous and beautifully furnished aft pool deck, inspired designers to add a 20-metre-long pool with a surrounding deck in the very aft of the 14-deck new liner. When covered, the pool will double up as a stage for catwalks, events and live musical entertainment.
Their large and iconic funnels mostly shape the silhouette of Christina O, and the new Four Seasons yacht. The Four Seasons liner, however, will be designed and equipped to minimise emissions, so don’t expect its iconic funnel to belch out too much smoke.
Yet another spectacular design feature onboard is the port-to-starboard ‘transversal marina’. Its terraced design also allows guests to enjoy the sea first hand, with immediate access to water activities, and ‘sea limousine’ transfers to shore.
The vessel’s 95 spacious accommodations will feature adjustable, adaptable floor plans to create villa-like residences. Each suite will offer floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed natural light and access to expansive terrace decks.
As of press time the boat has not be given a name or the price Four Seasons will be charging for this ultimate ocean-going luxury experience. One thing is for certain: It will be very, very expensive.