There’s never a dull moment in our world. This time around we’ve found some inspiring yacht news from around the world. Let’s explore.
The vessel that makes the world’s biggest yacht look small
Not too long ago a monster of a yacht called The World, at 195m long, was the planet’s biggest private residential yacht. Now there’s an even bigger beast underway, being built by the same people.
Ulyssia is apparently 324m long and blend all the best bits of superyacht design with cruise ship facilities and luxury apartment styling. Despite her enormous size, she’ll feature a sleek, elegant silhouette, with a tough steel hull and lightweight aluminium superstructure.
Legendary yacht designer Espen Øino is at the heart of the magic and she’ll be built at the respected German shipyard Meyer Werft. The interiors of the 132 private homes and 22 guest suites on board will be created by the Italian design company FM Architettura to a five-star luxury hotel spec.
The Ulyssia team is dedicated to building ‘the world’s most exclusive residential yacht community’, whose members will apparently work together on environmental conservation and cultural preservation projects to make a positive impact wherever she sails. She should be ready for occupation in 2028.
Uber offers unique nautical experiences
At the other end of the luxury scale, Uber has introduced unique nautical experiences for people holidaying in the EU. The plan was born after the company saw a boom in demand for Uber-style services in popular EU tourist destinations, with more than 6.5 million international customers using the Uber app in Europe’s best-loved holiday spots last summer.
In August they’re launching Uber Yacht in Ibiza, a good value EUR200 per head pre-book service on board a private Sunseeker yacht available via the app. The deal comes complete with a captain, free drinks and posh snacks, taking in Formentera’ legendary crystal waters and the sunset at Es Vedra, with transfers to and from the vessel included.
Ritz-Carlton hits the Hotel Yacht road running
A relative newcomer to the world of luxury travel, the Hotel Yacht is an exciting new way to enjoy life at sea. Ritz-Carlton was the first to market in 2022 with their first hotel yacht, the magnificent Evrima, and more luxury brands following suit including Aman, Marriott, and Four Seasons. Ritz-Carlton’s second yacht, Ilma, takes off on its inaugural voyage in September this year, taking a decade of planning one step further.
The move reflects a sea change in the way the wealthy are thinking. The new mindset focuses on experiences more than possessions, and the yachting experience slots neatly into this growing demand to deliver an all-inclusive luxury experience outside of their hotel chain.
Luxury yacht builder supports whale science
The Dominican Republic has promised to protect just under a third of the ocean falling inside its Exclusive Economic Zone by the year 2030. The protected area will cover coral reefs, sea mountains, places where the whales gather, and parts of one of the deepest and most mysterious areas of the Atlantic Ocean, the Puerto Rico Trench.
Alexei Mikhailov, the founder and CEO of the superyacht builder Bering Yachts, has collaborated with non-profit organisations Mission Blue and Yachts For Science to enable five days of crucial research into humpback whales at the famous Silver Bank calving zone off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
The scientists and crew on board discovered and shared new knowledge about these remarkable, gentle creatures, taking photo-Ids of individual animals and collecting eDNA samples to reveal which whale species have visited the area. The project marks a growing interest in using superyachts for science.
J K Rowling’s superyacht arrives in Halifax, Nova Scotia
J K Rowking’s immense 88.5m superyacht has made her way to St John’s harbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia, sparking rumours that the author herself is on board. The craft is called the Samsara, an ex-charter yacht with stunning accommodation for 12 guests across 7 suites, sold to Rowling in 2023 and apparently worth an eye-watering $150 million US dollars.
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