The Mega Yachts of the Mega Rich
The rich are not like us and the mega-rich are in a category all their own. Take a look at the mega yachts of the multi-millionaires and billionaires of the world from the computer titans to the absolute monarchs of the oil-rich Middle East to know of the great divide that separates even the rich from the mega rich.
Most Common Features
The following luxury yachts share a few things in common that places them in a special category. For one thing, the yacht must be at least 160 feet in length, a three-decker with cabins and accommodations for a minimum of 12 guests and a crew of similar size. Keep in mind that these are minimum standards for a super yacht with the smallest of the mega yachts – Al Mirqab at 437 feet.
For another thing, the yacht must have the most luxurious features possible that the owners’ pockets can afford to pay. In the world of the rich and the mega rich, luxury is equated with plenty of amenities and facilities covered in the most posh materials like gold, velvet and teak. The yacht must offer everything that a pampered prince will want including spas, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pools with Jacuzzis, gym, entertainment centers, bars and everything that your little heart can desire. And yes, throw in a crew ready to serve your every whim.
Take note that these luxury yachts of the mega rich typically have no real home ports, unlike commercial ships and luxury liners. As such, these mega yachts must also be registered in a port of country preferably in the flag state in which it was registered in. The most common flag state registrars are the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man, the British Virgin Islands and the Marshall Islands. It must be emphasized, however, that it is not necessary that the yacht must have docked in these ports at any point during their sailing careers, so to speak.
Most Popular Luxury Yachts
The following are a few of the largest luxury yachts in the world today. But their owners can never be too complacent as there is always another billionaire with a sense of grandeur bigger than their own who will commission for the largest of the mega yachts to be built in his honor.
• Al Mirqab is the world’s tenth largest yacht at 437 feet. Its owner is Qatar’s Emir Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani with Cayman Islands as its port of country and it is valued at a minimum of $250 million. The Al Mirqab may be the smallest mega yacht but it is definitely the most beautiful one with awards like “Motor Yacht of the Year” and “Best Interior Design” as confirmations.
• Eclipse is the largest yacht so far in the world with a length of approximately 533 feet. Its owner is the Russian billionaire and known big spender Roman Abramovich. The Eclipse is equipped with two helipads, 11 guest cabins, dance hall, 2 swimming pools, sophisticated security system including missiles, and the most luxurious amenities anybody can find on earth.
Well, if you have billions of dollars to your name, you can upstage these two mega yachts any time you want.
Mega yachts, The Mega Yacht Nira—yachtfan (Flickr.com)