By Betty Nelander
A lot of South Florida visitors are impressed by the yachts docked in the Intracoastal Waterway, and no wonder — they are virtual castles on water.
According to Express.com, home of the Daily and Sunday Express of England, A-list yachts worldwide range from those owned by billionaires to those owned by royalty. The website lists seven of the most expensive. Here’s a closer look:
The Rising Sun, more than 450 feet long, $200 million. Created for Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corp., it’s now owned by David Geffen. Its shipyard is in Lurssen, Germany, according to Forbes.com.
Lady Moura, 344 feet long, $210 million, owned by Nasser Al-Rashid — Saudi billionaire and founder of Rashid Engineering. She can accommodate a crew of 60 and has hosted notables such as former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara. In summertime, she’s in the South of France, traveling between Antibes and Monaco, according to superyachtfan.com. Its name is in 24-carat gold lettering.
Super Yacht A, or simply A, 394 feet high, $323 million, owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. The Wall Street Journal takes you inside it on YouTube. The superyacht has plenty of glass and mirrors, admired for “their mathematical beauty.” The main stairwell is lined with scalloped silver leaf, completed with a hand-crafted banister costing over $60,000. One guest room was done in stingray hides. The video shows electronics built into the ceiling, and there are amenities galore. Three pools, a giant helipad, a garage with a swim platform. Patches of grass were created with the owner’s dog in mind.
Al Mirqab yacht, 436 feet, $250 million, built in 2008 by Peters Schiffbau in Wewelsfleth, Germany. Constructed for Qatar’s former prime minister, it’s “one of the largest motor yachts ever built.” It won the Motor Yacht of the Year award at The World Superyacht Awards 2009, plus Best Interior Design as a motor yacht for her Andrew Winch-designed interior.
Dubai superyacht, around 530 feet, over $350 million. It’s owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister of United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai. It was built by both Blohm + Voss and Lürssen.
Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei was to be its first owner but then construction stopped. In 2001, construction resumed; its hull was acquired by Platinum Yachts for His Highness al-Maktoum.
The yacht has a circular staircase featuring glass steps that change color, according to superyachts.com.
“With seven decks, Dubai has a wealth of sunbathing areas; a striking mosaic swimming pool and several Jacuzzis. She can accommodate a helicopter of up to 9.5 tonnes and can carry two 10-metre long tenders,” according to superyachts.com.
Island Streets of Monaco, 500 feet, $1 billion, by Yacht Island Design, aims to re-create a version of the Mediterranean city on water. “The yacht takes is inspiration from Monaco’s Grand Prix course,” according to Express.com. A grand atrium’s “the central hub of the yacht” and links to three floors. It includes an ornate spiral staircase and a waterfall. There’s even a sight-seeing submarine, helicopter and a beach deck, according to GeoBeats at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgN-6wMG4j0.
Eclipse, 533 feet, $1.2 billion. Called “the world’s most expensive,” by Express.com, the opulent superyacht has high-tech gadgets, plus platforms for two helicopters and a hanger for a third. Russian businessman Roman Abramovich’s yacht has 24 guest cabins, a couple of swimming pools, Jacuzzis and a disco hall. Find it here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F1C4RjdiaQ and at boatinternational.com.
“It has its own missile defence system, should the boat find itself under attack,” Express.com
