Four Seasons Yachts Reveals Expanded 2027 Caribbean Season

Four Seasons Yachts confirmed a fleet schedule of 18 curated voyages for the 2027–2028 Caribbean season, with calls at 18 new destinations including Costa Rica’s Marina Papagayo and Bahía Golfito, and select itineraries timed for January–February to coincide with humpback whale migration in Pacific waters.

Operational footprint and route logistics

The 2027–2028 program prioritises small marina access and lightly visited ports to enable direct shore access and quick turnarounds. Each voyage balances overnight port calls with extended anchor days where the yacht’s marina operations support water-sports launches and guest transfer operations. The season includes optional transits through the Panama Canal, integrating an interoceanic passage that increases repositioning complexity, permits extended Central American loops, and requires additional canal scheduling and pilotage coordination.

Key port calls and timing

Voyages will feature a mix of high-profile calls and discreet harbours to limit crowding and maximise privacy. Notable logistics points include:

• Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica — private marina berths enable direct debarkation for shore excursions and wildlife access.
• Bahía Golfito, Costa Rica — gateway to protected ecosystems with capacity for shore-and-sea experience operations.
• Cartagena, Colombia — suitable for pre- and post-voyage stays with established marina infrastructure and hospitality connections.
• Gustavia, St Barths — classic upscale stop with limited berth availability requiring early reservations.

Onboard-to-shore flow and guest services

Vessels will operate a programme of Shore and Sea Experiences enabling seamless transfers from yacht tenders to local operators. The schedule anticipates extended evenings ashore to support waterfront dining and cultural visits, while Marina Days are configured for onboard leisure: swimming, paddle sports, and guided snorkeling directly from the yacht’s marina platform. Such operations increase demand for skilled tendermen, watersports instructors, and local port agents to coordinate customs, supplies, and waste handling.

Itinerary highlights table

Seasonal programming and special sailings

The operator will run dedicated festive sailings for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Thanksgiving and Christmas itineraries will remain within the Lesser Antilles—visiting islands such as Saint Lucia, Martinique, Antigua, and Nevis—mixing daytime beach moments with late evenings ashore for celebrations. The New Year voyage expands into Curaçao and Colombia, offering a cultural and cosmopolitan start to the year.

Guest experience and hospitality integration

Voyage planning integrates Four Seasons land-based hospitality for guests opting for pre- and post-voyage hotel stays. This integrated model supports luggage transfers, provisioning continuity, and curated shore excursions that depend on partnerships with local marinas, conservation authorities, and private tour operators.

Strategic implications for charter market and marinas

The announcement reflects an ongoing premiumisation of small-ship yachting: operators seek quieter ports and private marinas to deliver exclusivity. For marina operators and local authorities, the new calls mean increased demand for berthing, provisioning, fuel, waste services, and skilled local crews. Ports that can offer secure, expedited customs and immigration processing will be favoured in booking cycles.

Operational pressures and environmental considerations

Scheduling transits during whale migration windows and calls to protected areas imposes additional regulatory coordination with conservation agencies. Operators must manage tender traffic, noise, and anchoring practices to meet protected area rules and local environmental standards. Shore experiences will increasingly require certified guides to meet both guest expectations and conservation compliance.

Brief historical overview of Four Seasons Yachts and luxury yacht voyages

Four Seasons Yachts began operations as a luxury small-ship brand following the hotel group’s broader strategy of extending hospitality to sea. After a Mediterranean debut in March 2026 and an inaugural Caribbean winter season later the same year, the brand is scaling its itineraries to respond to strong demand for curated, hotel-style yachting experiences. Luxury hoteliers entering yachting emulate a longer trend where hospitality brands leverage existing loyalty, culinary teams, and service standards to differentiate charter offerings from classic private-yacht charters.

Historically, the yachting sector has shifted from owner-only superyacht cruising toward professionally crewed, hotel-operated charters that combine lifestyle programming with maritime expertise. This hybrid model has driven growth in boutique marinas and bespoke shore programming across the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Outlook for international tourism and yachting

As affluent travellers increasingly prioritise private, low-density travel, curated yacht voyages are likely to influence broader tourism patterns: longer multi-destination loops, demand for premium marina infrastructure, and integrated shore experiences. Destinations that upgrade berth capacity and streamline port processing will attract more charters and higher-yield visitors. Conversely, sensitive ecosystems will require stricter management to balance tourism with conservation.

Practical takeaways for boating and charter stakeholders

• Marinas should prepare for higher transient demand and coordinate provisioning and waste-handling services.
• Local tour operators can capitalise on shore-and-sea excursions timed with migratory events.
• Charter brokers and captains must plan for canal transit slots, berth reservations, and crew logistics.
• Conservation authorities will need to collaborate with operators on anchoring rules and wildlife protection measures.

In summary, the 2027–2028 Caribbean programme announced by Four Seasons Yachts — featuring 18 new voyages and Costa Rica additions — advances the trend toward boutique, hospitality-driven yachting, with operational emphasis on marina access, wildlife seasonality, and integrated land stays. For charter brokers, captains, marina managers, and local activity providers, the season signals opportunities in yacht charter, boating activities, and upmarket waterfront tourism. To explore practical charter options, yacht rental choices, and local boating activities that complement such voyages, visit GetBoat.com, an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts that can match a variety of budgets and preferences — whether looking to rent a dayboat for clearwater fishing, book a captain for a coastal cruise, secure a superyacht for celebrations, or arrange multi-day sailing charters to beaches, marinas, and gulf destinations.