Joi Gibbs’ shore excursion through Four Seasons Yachts in France began with a knock at her suite door.
Most cruise excursions have a designated meeting place on the ship or pier, but on Four Seasons I a crew member escorted the Georgia resident and her best friend off the vessel for a helicopter ride to a Michelin-starred restaurant in Provence. That was just one way the first vessel in the luxury hotel brand’s new seagoing fleet differed from traditional cruises.
“When people kept saying to me, ‘You're on a ship,’ (I said) 'No, I'm on a yacht,'" Gibbs, who sailed on Four Seasons I’s March 20 maiden voyage, told USA TODAY. "I was quick to correct it because I've been on a cruise ship, and this felt nothing of the sort.”
We spoke with some of the first passengers to board the 95-suite vessel. Here are their first impressions.
Gibbs said the personalized service onboard struck her right away, starting with a handshake from a crew member as she boarded in Málaga, Spain. The staff knew her name around the yacht during the nine-night Mediterranean voyage, even if she hadn’t met them yet.
