Private spas. Stunning Bosphorus views from apartment-sized cabins. All the luxuries imaginable. And maybe more. The British creator and traveler Will Davis, with his channel Trek Trendy, was among the first, in recent weeks, to try the superyacht of the Four Seasons hotel chain (built by Fincantieri). The journey started from the port of Athens (Greece) and was documented with a long vlog, which quickly reached one million views.
The luxury of ship hotels
The project marks the hotel brand’s entry into the high-end cruise market, with the declared aim of “uniting the hotel experience with the exclusivity of navigation”.
Davies should have left earlier. The “commercial” genesis of this crossing, explained in the video, dates back to 2024, when bookings were opened for the first scheduled departure from Barbados. That maiden voyage, however, was canceled due to shipyard delays. The company – to compensate – offered all passengers a package that included a 30% discount on a new booking, $2,000 in onboard credit and a cabin upgrade based on availability. This series of conditions allowed Davies’ boarding to materialize.
Few guests, no queue
The ship’s designers were inspired by the legendary yacht Christina O – recalls Davis -, sizing the hull on the proportions of a small cruise ship but limiting the maximum capacity to just 200 guests. The ship is spread over several decks, welcoming passengers in an environment characterized by a single central corridor which, in fact, recalls the atmosphere of a high-level hotel rather than that of a traditional transatlantic liner.
The initial route covers a distance of approximately one thousand nautical miles across the Aegean, with an expected arrival in Istanbul, Türkiye, touching various intermediate ports of call between the Greek islands and the Turkish coast. “The management of spaces and the reduced density of passengers aim to guarantee a favorable numerical relationship with the crew, reducing queues and eliminating the perception of crowding typical of large commercial cruise ships,” remarks Davis.
The suites: 90 m2, Ipad, Bang & Olufsen TV
Thus, taking advantage of the reimbursement, Davis was able to upgrade to stay in the Grand Ocean Suite, an “accommodation”, if you can call it that, which exceeds 90 square meters of surface area and stands out for particularly refined design solutions. In the living room there is a custom-made sofa, fresh flowers and a Bang & Olufsen television commissioned specifically for the ship (and this TV alone has an estimated value of $20,000 and is hidden behind a mirrored structure).
The sleeping area adopts the standardized beds of the “mainland” Four Seasons resorts, flanked by an iPad for room control and a walk-in closet with unusual accessories for navigation, such as a vertical iron for clothes or a beach bag. There is also a yoga mat and sunscreen. The ultra-luxurious bathroom, finished in marble with gold tapware, includes a double sink, a Dyson hairdryer, a Japanese-style toilet and a shower with a waterfall shower head.
The “real” $350,000 apartment
The pinnacle, however, for the wealthiest clients, is reached in the suite created inside the ship’s smokestack, a residence distributed over several levels that can cost more than 350 thousand dollars a week. This setup features a 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with a private pool, a kitchen, private elevator, a mirrored staircase leading to a personal gym (with trainers available). Plus: spa with Turkish bath, staff quarters, king-size bedrooms and an (incredible) panoramic observation deck on the top deck.
Managing extra costs
The crux of the experience is represented by “tariff policy,” says Davis. The basic rate for the sailing week originally amounted to 27,500 dollars, reduced to 19,250 dollars thanks – as mentioned – to the 30% discount applied as compensation for the previous cancellation. If the Grand Ocean suite had been purchased at full price without upgrades, the cost would have exceeded $65,000.
Davies strikes a false note. Or at least unusual. Unlike almost all cruise companies, the ticket does not include food and drinks outside of breakfast. Even breakfast ordered via room service incurs additional costs. At the end of the cruise, Davies says, the extra expenses accumulated for restaurants, bars and treatments reached $2,188, entirely (or almost) covered by the on-board credit obtained for the cancellation and by an additional credit of $600 recognized by the travel consultant.
What do you eat
The catering on board is extremely varied. The French specialty restaurant Sedna offers an à la carte menu: caviar, citrus marinated scallops, beef and chocolate dessert, accompanied by Krug champagne by the glass. For a dinner for two people the final bill was $415.
Another notable option is Mituna, an intimate omakase experience for just 16 guests, with two sushi chefs preparing a 13-course meal, featuring bluefin tuna tartare, pressed oysters, nigiri, maki rolls and A5 Wagyu beef with truffle sauce reduction. It costs $175 per person. The offer is completed with a sixties-style bar, the cigar lounge, the Champagne and Caviar bar and an Italian restaurant.
The bridge with the “marina”
Outdoor living revolves around the main deck, named Pine. It is characterized by a very large swimming pool, equipped with a hydraulic bottom capable of lifting to transform the area into an event space. The sun loungers have call buttons for staff.
The lower deck, then, houses the “marina platform”, accessible via a central lift that leads to the water level, for the use of water toys such as aquabikes and boarding on luxury tenders. The wellness section includes a spa with couples treatments costing $520, a hair salon where a cut costs $90, a gym equipped with Technogym machines and spa areas with sauna, Turkish bath and freezing showers. Davis and the other cruise passengers stopped in Crete, Bodrum and finally Istanbul.
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