Image: CGI of the new cruise yachts of Four Seasons 

The exterior design of the two large cruise yachts that Four Seasons Yachts will operate seems to have been inspired by a yacht that once belonged to Aristotle Onassis (1906-75), the Greek shipping tycoon.

In 1954, Onassis acquired the frigate HMCS Stormont that had been built in Canada in 1943 and converted it into a luxury yacht that he named Christina, after her daughter.

Image: Christina O. Photo credit: yachtcharterfleet.com

Onassis owned the vessel with a length of 99 metres and a displacement of 2,550 tonnes until his death and entertained a wide range of celebrities onboard with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, formerly First Lady of the US and wife of President John F. Kennedy.

The two vessels of Toronto, Canada based Four Seasons will be significantly larger with a length of 207 metres. However, the lines of the new ships that are on order from Fincantieri bear a striking resemblance to the former yacht of Onassis, which remains in service today as Christina O.

The structure housing the funnel suite on the Four Seasons ships has been shaped to resemble the funnel of Christina O and a mast with e.g. sitcom equipment and along stern deck with swimming pools are another similarities with the famous older vessel.

“Globally renowned design partners have been engaged including Tillberg Design of Sweden as lead architect responsible for the design of exterior and guest suites, and London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio for the design of many of the yacht’s spectacular guest areas. These design partners will be paired with the creative direction of Prosper Assouline,” Four Seasons said in a statement.