Owning a yacht has become one of the biggest status symbols of our time, but even then, there are different tiers. They start from normal yachts to superyachts and finally, mega yachts. Here are the top 10 yachts that will forever go down in history.
History Supreme:
The world’s most expensive yacht, valued at $4.8 billion, is a 100-foot vessel made of solid gold and platinum, with a master bedroom featuring a wall entirely made of meteorite rock. The owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is said to be Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok, owner of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Eclipse:
Owned by Roman Abramovich, this 533-foot yacht is the second longest in the world and comes equipped with two helicopter pads, 24 guest cabins, two swimming pools, many hot tubs, and a dance hall. It also has three launch boats and a mini-submarine capable of diving to a depth of 50 meters (160 ft). To manage the boat and service the guests, around 70 crew members are required. Eclipse is outfitted with a missile detection system, missile launchers, and self-defense systems for further security.
Azzam:
at 590 feet, this yacht is currently the longest in the world and belonged to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former President of the United Arab Emirates. It can reach speeds of up to 30 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles. The yacht, among other things, includes a main salon with a length of 29 meters (95 feet) and a beam of 18 meters (59 feet), an open design, and no pillars. It has a top speed of more than 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) and is propelled by a mixture of two gas turbines and two diesel engines with a total power output of 35,048 kW (47,000 hp) delivered by four pump jets. Two of the pump jets have fixed round water outlets in the stern, while the other two have thrust vectoring capabilities via moveable duct water outlets on either side of the fixed ones.
Dubai:
Dubai was created in 1995 under different project names (Panhandle, Platinum, and Golden Star). The yacht was originally built for Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah, but she was sold to the present owner, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 2001. The yacht features a helipad, two 10-meter-long motor boats, a dining area for 90 people, and a swimming pool. There is also a disco, a movie, 20 water bikes, a submarine, a lobster tank, and a squash court on the vessel. Dubai has eight decks and can accommodate up to 88 crew members and 115 guests.
Streets of Monaco:
The Streets of Monaco is a 508-foot-long superyacht idea that combines all of the facilities of this cherished French province into one extravagant vessel. If completed, it can accommodate up to 16 passengers and a crew of 70 to provide top-notch, personalized care to everyone onboard—all while traveling at a comfortable 15 mph at sea. What sets this yacht apart from the rest isn't only its Mediterranean-style façade or its massive size. The Streets of Monaco will provide all of the amenities and beauty of Monaco, including an onboard casino, a racetrack, and themed interiors that replicate the city's distinctive surroundings.
Serene:
Serene was delivered to her owner in August 2011 after being built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri and designed by Reymond Langton Design. She was one of the ten biggest yachts in the world when she was delivered, with an overall length of 133.9 m (439 ft 4 in) and a beam of 18.5 m (60 ft 8 in).
This yacht was owned by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler until 2014, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia purchased it for roughly €500 million while vacationing in the south of France. It has a spa, a beach club, and an indoor rock climbing wall.
Rising Sun:
Rising Sun is a motor yacht designed by Jon Bannenberg that was built in 2004 at Germany's Lürssen shipyard in Bremen for Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, and was last renovated in 2007. Rising Sun has been owned by businessman David Geffen since 2010, after he purchased a 50% stake in the boat in late 2006. Among the yacht's 82 rooms are a gym, a basketball court, a wine cellar, and a movie theater.
Al Said:
The Sultan of Oman owns the luxurious yacht Al Said. Lürssen was commissioned to build the yacht in 2006, and during its development, the ship was codenamed "Project Sunflower." Al Said was launched in September 2007 at the Lürssen Shipyard and was the world's second longest yacht at the time. The boat was finished in the months that followed and delivered to her owners in 2008. This megayacht can sleep up to 70 people. It has a concert hall that can hold a 50-piece orchestra.
Al Mirqab:
Qatar's previous Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, owns Al Mirqab. The boat was built in Germany at the Peters Schiffbau Wewelsfleth yard and was known as Project May. Tim Heywood designed the boat, while Andrew Winch Designs did the interior design. This yacht is 436 feet long and can seat 24 guests in 10 guest rooms, plus the boat owner in two VIP cabins, and a crew of 60 people. On board, there is a theater, bars outside, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, and a helicopter pad.
A+ (previously “Topaz”):
This yacht, owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is 482 feet long and can house up to 30 guests. The yacht weighs 11,589 gross tonnage and is 147 meters (482 feet) in length and 21.50 meters (70.5 feet) in beam. A+ has zero-speed stabilisers, an on-deck Jacuzzi, two helicopter landing pads, a swimming pool, a tender garage, a swimming platform, air conditioning, and underwater lighting. There is also a fitness center, a movie theater, and a huge meeting room.
These yachts are not only the most expensive in the world but also the most luxurious and extravagant, featuring amenities that only the wealthy could afford. They are a symbol of luxury and success, and owning one is considered a status symbol among the elite.