The World's Top 5 Yachts

 unknown but rumours abound that she is the next
A Floating Paradisesuccessor to the Al Said due to her similar colouring
and features. The Omani Royal Yacht Al Said is now
Yachts have captured the imagination of people theover 25 years old and was originally built in Italy.
world over and nothing signals luxury more than the
ultimate floating home. The term luxury yachtPrince Abdul Aziz
encompasses any privately owned vessel that is
professionally crewed and was coined at theThe world’s current third largest yacht was built
beginning of the 20th century when yachting forback in 1984 and actually holds the record of being
pleasure became a reality for many.the biggest ever built in the 20th century. The Prince
 Abdul Aziz, built for the King of Saudi Arabia, ruled
Classifying yachts into a list of the world’s mostthe oceans with the title of the world’s largest
impressive vessels is not an easy task. Most peopleyacht for over 20 years until it was usurped by the
use length as the deciding factor in determining thePlatinum/Golden Star. The interior of the yacht was
largest and most spectacular vessels, but in technicalcompletely redesigned and refitted in Greece in 2002
terms, it is gross tonnage that really determines oneto create a more modern and luxurious look.
yacht’s size in relation to another. This measureSixty-five crew members are reportedly needed to
of weight refers to a yacht’s volume and whatkeep the Prince Abdul Aziz afloat and she more
it can carry or accommodate.resembles a cruise ship than a privately-owned yacht.
 
The World’s Five Longest Motor YachtsAl Salamah
But it is length that is more tangible for most peopleThe Al Salamah is one of the most mysterious
and is a huge determining factor in the status of ayachts currently sailing our seas as very little
yacht. In classifying the world’s privately-ownedinformation about its features has ever been
yachts into the top 5 by length, there are actually sixreleased, leaving rumours to circulate about its
that emerge as clear contenders. The world’sincredible design and luxurious touches. Lurssen
largest yacht is actually yet to be launched and willYachts in Germany were given only two years to
be vying for the top spot by the end of 2008.complete the construction of the 139 metre yacht,
 making its completion a remarkable feat. Owned by
Most of the world’s five longest yachts werePrince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Defence
built in Europe, with only the Platinum/Golden StarMinister and son of the late King Fahd of Saudi
being constructed in the United Arab Emirates.Arabia, the Al Salamah has all the expected features
Germany is currently the top yacht producing countryof a yacht of this size, including private cinemas and
with the esteemed Lurssen Company being behindJacuzzis, but it is the rumoured extra features that
three of the world’s current longest luxurytruly set her apart. Her indoor swimming pool covered
yachts. This trend of European dominance in the fieldby a glass roof is unique and her interior was
of yachting is also prominent in yacht charters anddesigned by the famed British designer Terence
brokerage. Yacht brokerage companies sell andDisdale.
charter some of the world’s longest and most
luxurious yachts, making magnificent vessels of thisRising Sun
type more accessible.
At 138 metres, the Rising Sun is the world’s fifth
The Golden Starlongest yacht and encompasses five stories with 82
The world’s biggest and most majestic yacht torooms to house its privileged guests. The yacht cost
date, the Golden Star is also known as the Platinumcurrent owners Larry Ellison, CEO of the Oracle
Star and is truly a sight to behold. Launched in DubaiCorporation, and David Geffen over $200 million to
in April 2006, the 160 metre yacht is owned by thebuild. Constructed by Lurssen in Germany from a Jon
Sheikh of Dubai. The yacht was originallyBannenberg design, the Rising Sun has an estimated
commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei inliving space of over 8000 square metres. There are
1996, but when his funds ran out two years later,plenty of features to keep guests entertained with a
construction was halted indefinitely. Thebasketball court, gymnasium spa and sauna as well as
partially-finished skeleton of the yacht sat in aa giant plasma-screened cinema. The wine cellars
German dry dock until the project was taken overensure that there is always something special on
by Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Crownhand to drink and the teak deck and onyx
Prince of Dubai. The name of the yacht as well ascountertops accentuate the luxurious design.
her features have been held secret, even after her
launch with rumours of submarines and missileEclipse – Coming Soon
detectors neither confirmed nor denied. Originally
named the Golden Star, the Sheikh of Dubai is said toThe buzz surrounding the build of the Eclipse is
prefer the more sophisticated Platinum Star whilekeeping the yachting fraternity in frantic anticipation
latest rumours have simply named the currentawaiting the world’s newest and most
world’s longest yacht the Dubai.spectacular Super Yacht. Owned by Roman
 Abromovich and constructed by Blohm and Voss in
SunflowerGermany, the Eclipse has an estimated price tag of
over $300 million. Accommodating 24 people, this
At 155 metres, the Sunflower is the world’syacht is built for luxury and privacy, with
second largest yacht and currently one of itsanti-paparazzi measures and a unique design that
youngest, as it was only launched in 2007. Its designseparates the owner, guests and crew. The features
is typically Arabian, even though it was built inon board range from two helipads to a disco, pool,
Germany, hinting that she may have been built for aand a round glass room offering panoramic views, as
Middle Eastern owner and her unique design includes awell its own private submarine.
triple mast and a double funnel. The owner is still