Written by Jenn Cosgrove
Superyachts of the Super Rich
It is the ultimate status symbol for the world’s super rich, the superyacht. Sales are soaring across the world. At Schumacher, we’ve come across some beautiful yachts as we help people move overseas (to France, the United Kingdom, Asia and beyond).
Here are just a handful of some of the largest, most lavish sea toys on the planet.
-
Lady Moura
First launched in 1990, the Lady Moura is a 344 foot long, $200 million dollar luxury yacht owned by the Saudi billionaire Nasser Al-Rashid. The Lady Moura carries a crew of 60 and serves as permanent residence for the owner and his family.
The Lady Moura is decked out with a large indoor pool that has a retractable roof, a Sikorsky S76B helicopter permanently on board and she even has her own private beach resort that stretches from port to starboard built on large hydraulic platforms. The platforms slide out from the side of the yacht right over the water and are fully equipped with with sand, palm trees, deck chairs and deployable shark nets to provide safe swimming spots.
-
Octopus
At 414 feet, the superyacht Octopus owned by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen, is one of the world’s largest private yachts.First launched in 2003, Octopus was thought to be the largest yacht at the time and now ranks as the world’s 13th largest yacht.
- Octopus offers acomodation for up to 26 guests in 41 suites with additional rooms capable of carrying up to 57 crew members. Octopus features seven boats, two helicopters, two submarines (one with the capacity to sleep eight for up to two weeks underwater and the other remote controlled for exploring the ocean floor), and side hatches at the water line form a dock for jet skis.
-
Rising Sun
Owned by media mogul David Geffen, the 454 foot Rising Sun was first launched in 2005 when it was previously owned by Larry Ellison, founder and CEO of Oracle. Rising Sun reportedly cost over $200 million to build.
Rising Sun sports 82 rooms on five stories, an indoor pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna, an extensive wine cellar and a basketball court that doubles as a helicopter pad.
-
Vava II
The Vava II, commissioned for former Miss UK Kirsty Bertarelli by her billionaire husband Ernesto, was the largest yacht ever constructed in Britain when she first launched in 2009.
Special features include a helicopter landing pad, a large fold-down beach club and a variable depth swimming pool to cater for guest preferences. Vava II is also equipped with state-of-the-art dry waste, food and galley waste handling systems.
-
Dubai
This 531 foot vessel owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Maktoum, the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, is the third largest superyacht in the world. First launched in 2006, it cost $300 million (!) to build.
In addition to three elevators serving all decks, the Dubai is tricked out with an immense open glass circular staircase with steps that change color as you make your way between guest and VIP suites. The yacht also features seven decks, mosaic swimming pool, several Jacuzzis, a submarine and a helicopter pad.
