The 10 most expensive yachts in the world

What are the most expensive yachts in the world? A non-trivial question since these fantastic boats have always been a symbol of social status and are frequently associated with wealth, famous public figures and successful entrepreneurs.

yachts often have very specific characteristics: they are usually longer than 10 meters, but can also exceed 100 meters, include cabins, lounges, kitchen, swimming pools, spas, helicopters and other luxury facilities.

Furthermore, they can be sailing or motorized and be used for pleasure navigation, private cruises or for charter purposes (holiday rentals).

Yachts are so expensive for various reasons related to the quality of the materials, the advanced technologies used and the luxury services offered.

In fact, these boats are built with precious and durable materials, such as carbon fiber, stainless steel, fine wood and special alloys, which guarantee resistance to the stresses of the sea and a long life.

Furthermore, modern yachts integrate cutting-edge technologies such as cutting-edge GPS navigation systems, high-definition entertainment systems, solar panels and hydrojets for propulsion and much more.

Finally, if we consider that yachts are custom-designed - often responding to the specific tastes of the owner - and that construction times are quite long, this explains the reason for their often exorbitant costs.

Let’s see in detail the ranking of the 10 most expensive yachts in the world, also taking a look at who they belong to and what their characteristics are.

The 10 most expensive yachts in the world: the ranking

1. History Supreme – $4.5 billion

At the top of the list, with a well-deserved gold medal, we find the History Supreme. This jewel of the sea was designed in three years by Stuart Huges, a world-famous luxury designer for the richest man in Malaysia, Robert Knok. Compared to the other boats presented so far, this one might seem more “modest” in size, namely 30 meters in length.

But its economic value (4.5 billion dollars, approximately 4.3 billion euros) is based on the fact that this yacht contains more than 100,000 kg of platinum and gold. But there are also other refined, sumptuous and expensive details that make it up: in the master bedroom, a part of the wall is entirely covered with meteorite fragments and there is a statue made of real Tyrannosaurus Rex bones, as well as objects such as a bottle of liquor set with an 18.5-carat diamond worth 42 million euros or an iPhone covered in 500 diamonds and with a power button made of an enormous 7.4-carat pink diamond.

2. Eclipse – $1.5 billion

Silver medal for Eclipse, the second most expensive yacht in the world. Eclipse belongs to the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Approximately 162.5 meters long, it seems to have cost the entrepreneur 800 million euros in 2013, but the administrative costs are really high: the fuel for a week’s trip is worth one million and the daily management cost is 80,000 euros.

Inside, the yacht has a helipad, which can be hidden under deck by pressing a button, and a hangar with an opening facing the sea that contains three enormous boats and a submarine capable of reaching depths of 50 meters. On the sixth floor is the magnate’s suite with walls, chairs and tables covered in leopard and crocodile skin. The Eclipse is also equipped with sophisticated security systems, such as an anti-missile shield and, among other comforts, two swimming pools, a disco and a sauna. Despite its imposing size, this ship is capable of reaching a speed of 25 knots and consists of 11 guest cabins that can accommodate up to 18 people. The current market price is truly stellar: 1.5 billion dollars, more than 1.3 billion euros.

3. Azzam – $650 Million

In third place we find Azzam, currently considered the largest yacht in the world. Azzam was built by the Lürssen shipyard and belongs to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nayan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Abu Dhabi. Its name means “determination”, it measures 180 meters in length, equivalent to two football fields lengthwise.

It is not very clear what it is made of inside, but it is known that the estimated price is around 650 million dollars. Azzam’s hull is made entirely of steel, while the superstructure is made of aluminum. It is said that inside it contains a large main salon of 29 square meters completely free of pillars and on four levels of height, an indoor pool, a disco and a cinema. In addition, this yacht has a anti-missile defense system and a helipad and can reach a maximum speed of 32 knots even in shallow waters.

4. Topaz – €527 Million

Fourth place in the ranking goes to Topaz, a stunning luxury yacht built by the Lürssen shipyard. Topaz was built in 2012 for the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The exterior of this luxurious vessel is the work of superyacht designer Tim Heywood, while Terence Disdale Design took care of the interior.

Topaz is 147 meters long and can accommodate up to 52 people on board. It consists of 8 decks that communicate with each other via an elevator while inside there are 26 super luxury suites. It also has two Jacuzzis, a huge swimming pool that lights up with lights and colors in the evening, two helipads, a gym, an orchestra hall and a tennis court.

In 2018 Topaz made headlines for hosting actor Leonardo DiCaprio during his stay in Brazil during the World Cup. The market value is 527 million dollars, approximately 470 million euros.

5. Dubai – $350 Million

The superyacht Dubai is owned by the Sheikh of Dubai Mohammed Rashid al-Maktoum who decided to name this gigantic water palace after the city of the same name in the Persian Gulf. Dubai measures 160 meters in length and can accommodate 116 guests and a crew of 88 people. This yacht cost its owner $350 million.

Inside, the vessel includes a Jacuzzi, a pool with hand-made tiles, a helipad and a suggestive and gigantic circular staircase that connects all the suites with glass steps that change color. Dubai also features a Thalassotherapy Spa (based on the healing action of the marine climate), a huge solarium, hand-made mosaics and, in its central part, it stands out for the presence of a platform entirely dedicated to water sports that guarantees adequate comfort for super luxury holidays dedicated to relaxation and fun.

6. Serene – $330 million

In sixth place in the ranking of the most expensive yachts in the world we find the Serene. This luxury vessel was built in 2011 by the Italian shipyards Fincantieri for the Russian billionaire Yuri Scheffler at a cost of 360 million dollars. Serene has since changed hands: in 2014 it was rented for 5 million euros a week to Microsoft magnate Bill Gates, before passing into the hands of Saudi Prince Mohamed Bin Salman.

Its current market value is 330 million dollars, approximately 270 million euros. Serene measures 133 meters in length and is spread over 4,459 square meters, with its seven decks of different heights. It can accommodate approximately 24 guests and 52 crew members. It has an indoor swimming pool on board, two helipads, a hangar that can hold helicopters and luxury cars and a garage for other boats, including a submarine and an underwater observation room. But its special peculiarity is that it houses an object of almost inestimable value: Leonardo Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, considered the most expensive painting in the world.

7. Motor Yacht A – $323 Million

Motor Yacht A was built by the Blohm + Voss shipyard and belongs to Russian billionaire and philanthropist Andrey Melnichenko. This luxury yacht was launched in 2008, measures 119 meters and can accommodate 14 guests and 42 crew members.

It has 20 cabins including seven suites, three swimming pools (one with a transparent floor), a spa, a nightclub, a helicopter dock, a speedboat and a glass-bottom swimming pool. The furniture is also very sophisticated with its fine wood furniture, genuine leather sofas, rotating beds and bulletproof glass. The value of this sea monster is 323 million dollars, approximately 400 million euros.

8. Radiant – $320 Million

The Radiant is a superyacht built by the German shipbuilding company Lürssen in 2009 and belongs to the Saudi billionaire Abdulla Al Futtaim. Radiant is 110 meters long, weighs approximately 5027 gross tons and can accommodate approximately 22 visitors and 44 crew members. The market value is 320 million dollars, approximately 285 million euros.

In addition to having all the standard features of a yacht of this size, including multiple pools, a helipad, a massage room, a movie theater, a gym, and a Jacuzzi, Radiant is also equipped with sophisticated safety systems such as an “escape launch,” a speedboat with twin turbocharged diesel engines capable of reaching speeds of over 75 knots. It also has an arsenal of sound guns that fire low-frequency sound waves that can blast the eardrums of approaching attackers, and a military-grade water cannon that can sink an approaching boat from 100 meters away.

9. Al Said – $300 Million

In ninth place is the luxury yacht Al Said, named after its owner Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman. Built between 2007 and 2008, this vessel measures approximately 155 meters in length and can accommodate approximately 70 passengers and 154 crew members. Like Serene, the value of this yacht is also around 300 million dollars, approximately 270 million euros.

The interiors were designed by superyacht designer Redman Whiteley Dixon, but not many other details are known about this jewel of the sea. In fact, the sultan wanted to maintain a certain reserve about its characteristics. We do know, however, that Al Said consists of five decks that house a large swimming pool with spa, Jacuzzi and solarium and a gigantic concert hall capable of holding 50 musicians and actors. Qabus usually sails with two helicopters with military technology and 12 Mercedes-Benz cars inside.

10. Pelorus– $300 million

In tenth place in the ranking of the most expensive yachts in the world we find the Pelorus. This luxury vessel was launched in 2003 by the German shipyards Lürssen of Bremen: the interiors were designed by Terence Disdale Design, while the exteriors were signed by Tim Heywood Design Ltd.

The yacht was initially owned by the Saudi Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Abdulmalik Al-Sheikh, then becoming famous when it was purchased by the Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich: in 2016, however, the owner of Chelsea sold the vessel to the Chinese billionaire Samuel Tak Lee.

Pelorus measures 115 meters in length and can accommodate up to 25 guests in its luxurious and comfortable cabins. It can reach a speed of 20 knots although it usually sails between 12 and 14 knots.

Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: I 10 yacht più costosi al mondo