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World’s Largest Yachts

17: Luna

Roman Abramovich seems to have chosen a celestial theme for the newest yachts to enter his ever-changing fleet. While Eclipse holds the crown as the largest privately owned yacht, the expedition vessel Luna unseats Le Grand Bleu as the world’s largest expedition yacht.

16: Issham al Baher

This yacht, which once belonged to late Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos, was built under the name Atlantis I. Niarchos is thought to have later offered the yacht to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia or built the vessel as a replacement for a yacht he gave the Saudi Royals.

15: Atlantis II

Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos reputedly ordered Atlantis II to compete with Aristotle Onassis’ Christina O. The Hellenic shipyard in Skaramanga built the yacht in 1981. Twin 12-cylinder, 4800-hp Pielstick diesel engines power Atlantis II, which is equipped with a retractable swimming pool.

14: A

Philippe Starck and Martin Francis collaborated on the design of this strikingly innovative yacht built by the German shipyard Blohm + Voss for young and forward-thinking Russian entrepreneur Andrey Melnichenko. For the first few years after her launch, the owner kept the interior of this stunning yacht a well-guarded secret, but he did allow a few select photos to be published.

13: Katara

This yacht, formerly project Crystal, is attributed to superyacht builder Lürssen and Monaco-based designer Espen Øino. Alberto Pinto of Paris is said to have designed the interior. Up to now, very little is known about this yacht, which was launched in secrecy.

12: Octopus

This well-traveled yacht belongs to Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and author of “Idea Man,” a memoir about his life, startups and relationship with former business partner Bill Gates. Espen Øino designed the yacht’s exterior, while Seattle-based Jonathan Quinn Barnett created the initial interior design.

11: Al Mirqab

Al Mirqab was built for the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The massive yacht (with a beam of nearly 60 feet) owes its graceful exterior styling to designer Tim Heywood—who gave her a few well-known curves and a sweeping navy blue hull—and her intricate interior to Andrew Winch.

10: Serene

This may be Fincantieri’s first private yacht, but the large commercial concern has built more than 7,000 vessels to date and other huge projects are taking shape in the sheds and on the drawing boards. The beauty of the design is that it conceals just how voluminous this yacht is and aptly hides much of the deck space from the prying eyes of passerby.

9: Savarona

Philadelphia socialite Emily Roebling Cadwalader (granddaughter of the man who created the Brooklyn Bridge) and her husband commissioned this great yacht in Germany. While they cruised on the yacht, the couple rarely—if ever—brought her to US shores.

7: Al Salamah

Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, was widely thought to own Al Salamah, which Terence Disdale designed and the German shipyard HDW built in association with Lürssen. The shipyard, which launched the yacht in 1999 under the name Mipos—allegedly for “Mission Possible”—sees the vessel return every so often for maintenance.

Luna-GiovanniRomero-theyachtphoto

17: Luna

Roman Abramovich seems to have chosen a celestial theme for the newest yachts to enter his ever-changing fleet. While Eclipse holds the crown as the largest privately owned yacht, the expedition vessel Luna unseats Le Grand Bleu as the world’s largest expedition yacht.

IsshamAlBaher-Christian-SuperYachtPhoto

16: Issham al Baher

This yacht, which once belonged to late Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos, was built under the name Atlantis I. Niarchos is thought to have later offered the yacht to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia or built the vessel as a replacement for a yacht he gave the Saudi Royals.

AtlantisII-Anthony-Vella-SuperYachtPhoto

15: Atlantis II

Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos reputedly ordered Atlantis II to compete with Aristotle Onassis’ Christina O. The Hellenic shipyard in Skaramanga built the yacht in 1981. Twin 12-cylinder, 4800-hp Pielstick diesel engines power Atlantis II, which is equipped with a retractable swimming pool.

A-GuillaumePlisson

14: A

Philippe Starck and Martin Francis collaborated on the design of this strikingly innovative yacht built by the German shipyard Blohm + Voss for young and forward-thinking Russian entrepreneur Andrey Melnichenko. For the first few years after her launch, the owner kept the interior of this stunning yacht a well-guarded secret, but he did allow a few select photos to be published.

Katara-Benoit-Donne-SuperYachtPhoto

13: Katara

This yacht, formerly project Crystal, is attributed to superyacht builder Lürssen and Monaco-based designer Espen Øino. Alberto Pinto of Paris is said to have designed the interior. Up to now, very little is known about this yacht, which was launched in secrecy.

Octopus-Chris-SuperYachtPhoto

12: Octopus

This well-traveled yacht belongs to Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and author of “Idea Man,” a memoir about his life, startups and relationship with former business partner Bill Gates. Espen Øino designed the yacht’s exterior, while Seattle-based Jonathan Quinn Barnett created the initial interior design.

AlMirqab-Christo303-SuperYachtPhoto

11: Al Mirqab

Al Mirqab was built for the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The massive yacht (with a beam of nearly 60 feet) owes its graceful exterior styling to designer Tim Heywood—who gave her a few well-known curves and a sweeping navy blue hull—and her intricate interior to Andrew Winch.

Serene-GiovanniRomero-theyachtphoto

10: Serene

This may be Fincantieri’s first private yacht, but the large commercial concern has built more than 7,000 vessels to date and other huge projects are taking shape in the sheds and on the drawing boards. The beauty of the design is that it conceals just how voluminous this yacht is and aptly hides much of the deck space from the prying eyes of passerby.

Savarona-Christo303-SuperYachtPhoto

9: Savarona

Philadelphia socialite Emily Roebling Cadwalader (granddaughter of the man who created the Brooklyn Bridge) and her husband commissioned this great yacht in Germany. While they cruised on the yacht, the couple rarely—if ever—brought her to US shores.

AlSalamah-AlexanderOtto-SuperYachtPhoto

7: Al Salamah

Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, was widely thought to own Al Salamah, which Terence Disdale designed and the German shipyard HDW built in association with Lürssen. The shipyard, which launched the yacht in 1999 under the name Mipos—allegedly for “Mission Possible”—sees the vessel return every so often for maintenance.

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