Celebrities take to the water
For the rich and famous wanting to take to the water and enjoy
some sunshine and downtime whilst afloat, yachting has lots of
fabulous benefits. Sailing or mooring in some of the most beautiful
parts of the world is a wonderful experience. But for the height in
luxury and leisure boat decadence, only a ‘mega yacht’ will do.
What exactly is a mega yacht? And how does it differ from a
super yacht for example? It’s all about size. A super yacht is a
very expensive private yacht, usually with its own professional
crew on hand and totally dedicated to meeting your every need. A
super yacht can be a sailing yacht or a motor yacht; but in terms
of size it’s usually at least 45 metres long and designed for
optimum comfort. Since super yachts started growing in popularity,
the term mega yacht (or giga yacht) was coined to categorise the
really big – 100 metres or longer – yachts that stand out for their
sheer size, opulence and extravagance.
Mega yachts are always built to order and cost millions of
pounds – often more than the owner’s home on dry land in fact.
There are usually at least four decks above the water level and
often another one or two more below it. Inside is the ultimate in
luxurious living. It’s not unusual for a mega yacht to feature a
helicopter landing platform, cinema, beauty salon, sauna, steam
room and Jacuzzi as well as at least one pool. One widely
publicised mega yacht even has its own recording studio on board
(but more of that later).
Compare sizes
Mega yachts and their owners are fiercely guarded from prying
eyes and as a result it can be very difficult for the rest of us to
get a good idea of what one is like (apart from being invited on
board). Take the mega motor yacht, Eclipse. This vessel is a
floating palace of some 164 metres in length, thought to be the
world’s largest mega yacht, and owned by Russian billionaire, Roman
Abramovich.
This ultimate yacht is understandably the subject of much
yacht insurance speculation however it is
widely believed that this vessel can accommodate 30 guests in 15
designer cabins. The glitterati who stay on board, as well as any
additional guests invited to party with the rich and famous are
served by a dedicated crew which numbers some 75 individuals. The
lavishness of the onboard facilities are rumoured to be unrivalled
and include a leisure submarine, a 16 metre pool, and room for up
to three helicopters.
Yachting is a favourite celebrity pastime
The majority of celebrities choose to charter a luxury super
yacht or mega yacht for their ultimate holiday getaway, rather than
spend the millions required to buy one outright. For those used to
spending their lives in the public eye, being on board a boat is a
tantalising taste of privacy that still feels like a genuine escape
from daily life. With a discrete and attentive crew, the celebrity
can enjoy some time away from public scrutiny and relax with a
hand-picked group of family or trusted friends.
Of course with unlimited clear blue sea and golden sunshine to
enjoy, as well as an abundant selection of water toys on board,
those privileged enough to take a holiday on a super yacht can
enjoy fun filled days and nights on the water. Most super yachts
feature jet skiing, water skiing, fishing, diving, snorkelling and
kayaking on demand. With a limitless water playground to explore,
the possibilities are endless.
For more relaxing pursuits, many super yachts feature beauty
treatments, a massaging Jacuzzi, a luxurious swim in the on board
pool – plus a whole host of other facilities from a gym to a
cinema. This is the ultimate in entertainment at sea.
Craving privacy
Even with so many top notch luxury resorts and villas on offer,
the allure of the super yacht continues to grow. Staying at a
static location makes it easier for privacy to be compromised as
paparazzi usually stake out the exits at all hours of the day and
night. On board a yacht it is easier to stay right away from
everything, escaping out to sea or to one of a number of secluded
picturesque coves not reachable by car or on foot.
The sheer luxury of today’s super yachts, combined with the very
real possibility of escaping the limelight, is a heady combination,
especially for A-list stars. Add a private air charter and the
celebrity and their entourage can fly to the exotic destination of
their choice and be right away from it all on board their floating
mansion within just a few hours.
Freedom to explore
The Caribbean, Mediterranean, British Virgin Islands and the
Grenadines are just a few of the superb locations popular with
luxury yacht charters. The Riviera has been popular since the 1950s
when Aristotle Onassis entertained glamorous stars such Sinatra,
Monroe and Garbo on his super yacht, Christina O. More recently,
this stunning super yacht has hosted the most famous celebrities
including Madonna, Johnny Depp, Tommy Hilfiger, and Oliver Stone.
It charters for a whopping $600,000 a week.
Famous faces out on the water
Hollywood actors, famous pop stars, politicians and the super
rich – all of these have a love of super yachts in common.
Think super yacht and most in the business immediately think of
Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, the phenomenally successful US rapper,
singer, producer and entrepreneur. Although he is hip hop royalty,
P Diddy’s ‘gangsta’ persona initially seemed at odds with the super
yacht charter lifestyle; today in fact he is the poster boy for the
celebrity charter industry. Having chartered many luxury mega
yachts over the years, now P Diddy is the proud owner of the $65
million motor yacht, the Maraya.
P Diddy loves to host and his parties on board the Maraya are
the stuff of legend. In fact this yacht has a top-deck party level
with its own bar, stage and projector screen. Singer and Grammy
winner, Mariah Carey is another celebrity who has spent more time
on the ocean wave than most. Whether it’s a weekend jaunt or an
extended holiday, Mariah clearly loves the indulgent super yacht
lifestyle and has spent time luxuriating on board in Florida, the
Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In true celebrity style,
Carey has even been known to take her much loved pets on board with
her – perhaps the most pampered pooches in the world?
Possibly the most famous pirate in the world, Johnny Depp, star
of the Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, is
passionate about luxury super yachts. He is the proud owner of a
classic 1930s inspired gentleman’s yacht, named Vajoliroja. The
name is an amalgamation of the names of his partner (Vanessa
Paradis) and their children (Lily Rose and Jack).
This super yacht captures much of the glamour and romance of the
past. The great news is that Johnny and his family are happy to
share and their luxury super yacht is available for hire. You’ll
have to be prepared to stump up at least 85,000 Euros a week for
the privilege though.
One of the joys of being incredibly successful – and therefore
extremely rich – is that if you see something you like, you can buy
it. Rock star legend, Eric Clapton apparently did exactly that
after chartering the 48 metre super yacht, Va Bene. With
accommodation for a dozen guests and a crew of 13 on hand, this
stunning yacht was originally owned by Formula One mogul, Bernie
Ecclestone. The interior Art Deco theme is the perfect complement
to Clapton’s impressive collection of object d’art which includes
paintings, sculpture and ceramics. This surely must be a floating
delight for art lovers (those who can afford to pay $200,000
dollars a week to charter it).
Not to be left out, Steven Spielberg purchased the luxury super
yacht, Seven Seas, last year. A full 86 metres long with an
infinity pool, helipad and movie screen on board, this is a super
yacht to suit a superstar lifestyle. Spielberg originally made the
Seven Seas available for private charter, but has since withdrawn
it as he intends to keep the yacht for private use. You need to be
a business acquaintance, friend or relation of the great man to get
on board this very special vessel.
The next generation of super yachters
The yachting lifestyle is not only a chance to party hard with
friends it’s also the perfect opportunity for celebrities to enjoy
some family time – albeit in total luxury. This summer, Elton John,
his partner David Furnish and their baby son Zachary hosted a
celebrity play date on board their yacht in St Tropez. The actor,
singer, director and magician, Neil Patrick Harris and partner,
David Burtka, were invited on board with their baby twins, Gideon
and Harper. Celebrity photographers had plenty to snap with the
beaming dads and their adorable little ones – all kitted out in
cute lifejackets.
Another famous father opted for family time combined with super
yacht luxury this year. Hollywood royalty, Tom Cruise spent
Father’s Day with his glamorous wife, Katie Holmes and
trend-setting daughter Suri, on board the private super yacht the
Marquis. This has to be the ultimate in Father’s Day relaxation: a
leisurely cruise away from the media glare, a dip in the sea and a
few hours to while away in the sunshine surrounded by gorgeous
décor and glorious views.
An unusual work location
When you’re a mega rock star trying to get to work on your next
album it can be pretty hard to find the perfect place to work.
Where can you go where you won’t be disturbed and you have the
chance to relax and let those creative juices flow? There’s been
lots of speculation on whether superstar Mick Jagger has finally
found his ideal workplace on board Microsoft billionaire Paul
Allen’s mega yacht, Octopus.
Rumour has it that as well as the full gamut of five star
facilities, the Octopus also has its own, fully functional
recording studio on board. Jagger’s new band, Superheavy, have
apparently been recording whilst enjoying the inspiration found
across no less than three continents, both in studios on land as
well as in the Octopus music studio.
It makes sense. Octopus is the twelfth largest mega-yacht in the
world at 414 feet long. As well as the music studio, it also
features two helicopters, two submarines, seven tenders, an on
board pool and even a basketball court. This has to be ultimate
place for rock stars to create their next album.
So if all this talk of super yachts and luxury lifestyles has
inspired you, then perhaps you’d like to consider purchasing one of
your own? Nestling in a cove in Palm Beach is the 155 foot luxury
super yacht, Privacy, which went up for sale earlier this year. It
comes with a hefty price tag: a cool $25 million and it could be
yours. Who knows when its current owner, Tiger Woods, will next
take to the seas again...
