r/FourSeasonsHotels

TLDR: Have already looked multiple times at which sailing to book next. But happy to answer any specific questions.

I have a lot of thoughts about the FS Yacht... and I will give my day to day too but figured it's easiest to either agree so far or disagree with Ryan Walker's youtube review of the FS yacht that got a lot of eyeballs. (I used Google LM for this below summary of his video as honestly, I didn't watch it.. and won't spend an hour of my life doing so). And then also happy to answer any questions.

Complaints and Negative Feedback:

• Check-in and Welcome: The embarkation process was described as confusing and chaotic, with bags tossed around and an empty, underwhelming welcome ceremony.

This is partly true - kind of a mess, not gonna lie. Your car drops you in one spot, they tag and take your luggage there, then you walk through, then you get into their car that drives you down the port to where you actually check in. And the check-in area has no AC. Here's the real issue though - the cruise terminal staff aren't Four Seasons people. They're port employees and they had no clue about the procedure. That's going to be the hard part for FS long-term: they hit so many different ports and almost every itinerary is different, so versus something like Holland America running the same loop every week where the local staff know it cold, these guys were clueless. What saved it was the actual FS crew wandering around, talking to people, befriending everyone, made it way better. Then after check-in you walk AGAIN to the boat. Doesn't look far, but not fun in the heat.

Can I blame FS for it? Not sure they could've done it better. But that's the embarkation, warts and all.

The welcome ceremony = was it the welcome party on the boat? Because on ours, it was nice bites, complimentary drinks, Dom non-stop, kids got slushies, live music. Our crew of kiddos were in the pool the whole time splashing around while some guests were dressed up around the pool. I felt that FS made BOTH groups feel totally welcome, which is the whole trick. Really lovely sail-off - but maybe everyone without kids hated it.

• Pricing and Value: The $26,000 base rate is not all-inclusive; guests must pay extra for lunch, dinner, room service, spa treatments, activities, and excursions. He felt the cruise is missing touchpoints that justify the price.

Everyone in our crew paid $42,200 or $60,300 for Seaview Suite w/Studios or Ocean Suite w/Studios before our group discount. So far, we've found it nice that it's a la carte as you don't feel tied to staying and eating on the boat vs being onshore. Again, my TLDR was that we're already looking for other sailings so we feel the price is pretty good. Also, we even talked about doing it as a charter but we actually like the yacht more due to the additional amenities vs the size of boat we would get for relative $$.

• Pool and Amenities: The main Piscine pool lacks a jacuzzi, running track, or poolside service, making the area feel sterile, cold, and unused.

It doesn't have a jacuzzi but eww - no running track. It's a space to relax and chill and have fun, not have someone sweaty run by you. We've used this space everyday. Should you yacht and try to swim outdoors in April in Europe? No. And also, there is poolside service. It's great. We've ordered tons of drinks, adults and kids.

• Activities and Entertainment: The daily schedule is disappointing and entirely focused on music (like piano, acoustic guitar, and DJ sessions), lacking any trivia, competitions, or varied entertainment.

Maybe if you want to be on a large cruise ship. Why would I want to play trivia or bingo etc? The entertainers have been great... and to give you an example of why FS is amazing, I'm walking my 3yo back to the room after dinner, and earlier the pianist-singer had been doing a song she didn't know. I told her that on the way back, we could ask her for a request. She not only played Golden (a little out there for an acoustic piano set?), she handed my daughter a mic. And because it seemed like she couldn't decide between Frozen and Golden, Thomas - a crew member my daughter has completely befriended - asked for Frozen himself. So they played Frozen too. This is after the singer had already packed up and was getting ready to leave. They added two extra songs just for my daughter. That's the stuff that makes me want to rebook.

• Fitness and Spa Operations: The gym is cramped, packed, and only offers a single 30-minute stretching class at 7:00 AM. The spa failed to offer basic high-end amenities upon check-in, such as a welcome drink, snack, or water.

No idea. Didn't go yet. Will ask others to go for me and report back.

• Medical Center: The facility has highly restrictive hours, only open from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

This is not true. The hours are something else, I don't remember. But we actually had to use this already. My older kiddo woke up in the middle of the first night BLAZING hot, super high fever, and by morning was still saying her brain hurt, her back hurt, she couldn't walk so we went full panic. I'm carrying her to even find the medical center, when a crew member spots me, asks what's going on, and tells me to stay right there. Center's technically closed but they're calling the doctor immediately. There's an after-hours fee and it was very reasonable but if you need a doctor, you're not restricted to whatever hours they have. I walked in scared this was something that needed an airlift and it turned out to be tonsillitis. The medical center was top notch, big big fans, they were amazing.

• Itinerary Execution: The ship's itinerary was heavily rearranged to accommodate an outdoor "Marina Day," which was ultimately ruined by bad weather, leaving guests standing around with confused staff. Some ports felt like uninteresting stopovers.

Don't expect a marina day in April. But ours is tmrw, I can report back tomorrow. I don't know where he stopped. But it's not like the ports are magically announced after you get on. Book a sailing which has interesting ports to you?

• Room Design and Functionality:

  • The $30,000 transparent TV sacrifices picture clarity for design.

• We don't use TVs. Glad the TV isn't blocking my ocean view.

  • The balcony door is exhaustingly heavy to open.

• My bedroom balcony door opens fine. The living room balcony door also is just push of a button which is SOO nice.

  • The air conditioning failed in the middle of the night, and the mattress quality did not match land-based Four Seasons properties.

• Haven't noticed this. We slept on the sofabed to keep the girls separate to quarantine the infection and even the sofabed was fine to sleep in.

  • Room technology is glitchy, with broken drapes and buttons that require extra-long presses.

• I think the extra long presses is on purpose. You dim the lights or brighten the lights until it's 100% or 0%. I like the control. But I have to admit, this was not told to us, so we were pushing random buttons day 1.

  • Turndown service was minimal; lights were barely dimmed and bedside water was not restocked.

• Haven't noticed. Think they've done a good job. My room now has about 25 bottles of sparkling water. The housekeeping turndown team asked if I liked sparkling or still and maybe they just keep adding more to my stash. It looks kind of funny.

• Cleanliness and Health Hazards: The tap and minibar water smelled and tasted like sewage. Water was left stagnant in the espresso machine and kettle from a previous guest, and a clipped toenail was found on the floor.

Haven't noticed. I don't think you're EVER supposed to drink tap water from a cruise / yacht ship. Right?? This is like drinking from an airplane tap. No way. We have tons and tons of bottles of water. And everything in the mini bar is free. What is sewage water from a minibar?

• Plumbing Issues: About 50% of the time, the shower only dispensed cold water.

Not true. I even counted how long it took for me to get hot water - 10 seconds because one of my friends on this trip complained to me how long it took them (they were messing with me due to Ryan Walker video). Everyone has hot water... its very hot water if you want but easy to control and really great shower. Also kids like the bath too. The bathrooms are super luxurious.

• Dining Disappointments:

  • He was served a raspberry with mold inside at the breakfast buffet.

• Haven't had this issue. Only noticed the best yummiest yellow dragonfruit from Mexico. In my room also had Korean grapes, Japanese Mangos... and they are saving me some white strawberries from Japan tomorrow morning :) The fruit that they have secured is absolutely mindblowing. I honestly don't know if they do this all the time - happy to ask for you - or if they just did it for me since they knew I was a fruit fanatic. Also have eaten, amazing Ranier cherries - probably from Pac NW - but I didn't ask - and Japanese watermelons.

  • The breakfast quinoa bowl was unappetizing, and the hotel uses cheap Twinings tea bags instead of high-end options.

• Didn't check. Can check for you. All our breakfasts have been great but we're not very demanding for breakfast.

  • The Sedna amuse-bouche was heavily over-fried, and a parmesan parfait dish featured overwhelming textures that triggered his gag reflex.

• Haven't tried Sedna yet.

  • A room service eggs benedict featured an overcooked yolk and a bizarre pressurized Hollandaise spray bottle that aggressively exploded all over the room.

• No room service breakfast yet but no one has complained about the room service ordered.

• Service and Staff Polish:

  • Despite noting a severe bean allergy, he was served dishes containing beans three times on his first day.

• They know my kiddo has a dairy allergy and I even asked to make sure she wasn't left out with all the other kids around. Every morning, they have a vegan pastry waiting for her.

  • Staff were spotted smoking, sitting down on the job, and using their phones.

• Haven't seen this but did notice one grumpy waiter at Terrasse.

  • A staff member sprayed down his balcony with water while he was trying to relax on it.

• Hasn't happened to us.

  • A crew member candidly admitted to him that the cruise was not worth the money.

• That sucks but again, we're ready to rebook.

• Ship Readiness: The quarter-million-dollar Presidential Suite was entirely unfinished and rushed, and decorative corners were cut, like a low-quality plastic tangerine tree in the lounge.

No idea - sadly it's booked as we were looking to upgrade to a specialty. The summer sailings are HOT and so booked.

Positive Feedback and Highlights:

• Ship Engineering and Stabilization: The ship's build is incredibly solid, gorgeous, and striking. The stabilization technology is phenomenal, making it easy to forget you are on the ocean. The ship can also rotate 360 degrees and crabwalk sideways.

YES! This is so cool!

• Room Aesthetics and Space: The base-level room is the largest suite currently on the ocean, featuring a jaw-dropping, exquisite design with high-quality materials. The bathroom boasts beautiful green jade, backlit mirrors, a heated toilet seat, and excellent shower pressure.

Haven't seen base. But everyone in our group loves their room.

• Room Perks: Guests receive a beautiful welcome cookie, truffles, and complimentary champagne on ice. The mini-fridge includes complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and MadeGood snacks, and the included WiFi is reasonably fast for being at sea.

Yes - and tailored more to our clients/our needs. For no champagne, we got the best sparkling tea that I love from FS Japan (and super expensive). And then we had art stuff for the kids that they made happen in less than 24 hours.

• Spa and Medical Facilities: The L’Oceana Spa features stunning mosaic tiling, an incredible dry sauna view, a steam hammam, a cold plunge, and a negative 121°F cryotherapy chamber. The $620 Miracle Broth Facial was thorough and luxurious. The medical center features a beautiful McLaren-inspired design and luxurious Four Seasons bedding.

The medical facilities was crazy cool. Hope none of you ever need it but it's advanced and legit if you do.

• Gym Equipment: The fitness center utilizes brand new, highly advanced Technogym equipment.

Again, no gym but I'll let you know from others.

• Standout Dining:
  • The Miuna Omakase sushi restaurant offered a true ultra-luxury culinary experience, highlighted by a brown butter oyster and melt-in-your-mouth truffle wagyu.
• EPIC - had this last night. Highly recommend.
  • The Pistachio café serves expertly prepared espresso and visually stunning desserts.
• AGREE.
  • The roasted cauliflower at the Horizon Lounge was fantastic, and the chocolate dome dessert at Sedna was highly praised.
• EVERYTHING at Horizon lounge as incredible with it being fairly priced and even underpriced IMO. A salad being 8$? Like cmon...
  • Room service breakfast was reasonably priced at $30 with no hidden fees.
• Haven't had room service breakfast yet.
• Views and Destinations: The room balconies and the stargazing from the Horizon Lounge are stunning. Half of the ports visited are breathtaking locations that are uniquely accessible because of the ship's smaller size.

AGREE

• Service Recovery: The staff ultimately corrected his allergy profile in their system and successfully passed his final room service test by leaving the beans out of a risotto.

Yes - I complained about the kids food coming out slow the first two nights, and the director of F&B gave me his whatsapp and told me to order directly with him and a time of when we wanted it and he would make sure it is done to the minute.

ASK AWAY.. I know that's a lot but wanted our experience vs Ryan's to be noted on this sub.