For most its an extravagance one can only wish to afford, but the for uber-wealthy buying a yacht is little more than a rite of passage, and an obvious expression of one’s success.
Take David Beckham, who threw his sailor cap into a convoluted maritime ring with the purchase of his first boat in 2022.
While many of us might treat ourselves to a budget holiday, Becks treated himself to a lavish 100-foot yacht to the not too catchy tune of £5million.
And he’s since gone up in the boating world, having traded the vessel – an upscale ’90 Argo, purchased from Italian yacht manufacturer Riva – for a £16million upgrade.
The new boat is believed to be another Riva design, the 130 Bellissima, complete with its own 20 square-metre garage, upper deck jacuzzi and lower deck swim platform.
But Becks isn’t the only celebrity to set sail, so who wins the battle of the boats? read on to find out.
David Beckham recently went up in the boating world, having traded his upscale ’90 Argo, purchased from Italian yacht manufacturer Riva, for a £16million upgrade (pictured)
1. ROMAN ABRAMOVICH – THE ECLIPSE (£1.5BILLION)
For a time, the boat held the title of the world’s largest superyacht, but has since been surpassed by the 590ft Azzam, which is believed to be owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates.
Abramovich’s Eclipse is 536ft long and 72.2ft wide, and has an estimated gross tonnage of 13,500GT.
Measuring a whopping 417ft, the Koru – so named after the Maori word for ‘new beginnings – is a fitting vessel for the third-richest man in the world.
She has four diesel engines and a maximum speed of 22 knots, although this speed is well surpassed by some of the newer superyacht builds.
It can accommodate 36 guests in comfort, and boasts a cinema, conference facilities, children’s playroom, beauty salon, dance floor, swimming pool and sauna.
For a time The Eclipse, owned by Roman Abramovich, the boat held the title of the world’s largest superyacht, but has since been surpassed by the 590ft Azzam,
Abramovich’s Eclipse is 536ft long and 72.2ft wide, and has an estimated gross tonnage of 13,500GT
Built by Blohm Voss Shipyards and designed inside and out by Terence Disdale, Eclipse was custom-made for the Chelsea oligarch in 2010.
The incredible vessel also contains two swimming pools, two helicopter pads, a dedicated disco hall, around 30 cabins, a mini-submarine, and even a missile defence system.
The seafaring mansion is the world’s second largest sailing ship, surpassed only by the somewhat underwhelmingly-named ‘Sailing Yacht A’, owned by Russian fertilizer billionaire Andrey Melnichenko.
It has armour-plating around Abramovich’s master suite, bullet-proof windows and a laser system designed to dazzle long-lens photographers.
When it was ordered, the initial cost was estimated at around $500million, but by the time Abramovich took delivery in 2012 it was spiralling towards the $1.5billion mark because of the extra luxury fittings and security measures.
Abramovich also owns three other mega-yachts, the Pelorus (377ft), the Ecstasea (282ft) and the Sussurro (161ft).
He once lent the Pelorus to Chelsea footballers Frank Lampard and John Terry as a ‘bonus’ for playing well and annual running costs for his fleet are around $25million including full tanks of petrol at around $110,000 per yacht.
2. JEFF BEZOS – THE KORU (£400MILLION)
This staggering vessel wraps the very best of modern maritime technology with the look and feel of sailing ships of old.
The Koru is powered by a pair of extremely powerful MTU Rolls Royce engines, but also comes complete with an array of sails which allow the craft to harness the power of mother nature.
Jeff Bezos’ $500 million megayacht is named Koru after the Maori word for ‘new beginnings’
Bezos and Sanchez are pictured aboard Koru during the 76th Cannes Film Festival in 2022
Koru (left) with escort yacht Abeona (right), also owned by Bezos, off the coast of Cannes
Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the polished wooden sculpture of a curvaceous woman carved in the style of a Roman goddess, dressed in a flowing gown and with long hair
A polished wooden sculpture of a Roman goddess is carved into the ship’s bow, which some have commented looks as though it is styled on Bezos’ glamorous girlfriend Lauren Sanchez.
Not much is known about the interior of Bezos’ superyacht, but with a price tag of $500 million – and estimated running costs of roughly $25 million – it is sure to be dripping with luxury.
But the Koru alone is simply not enough for the ex-Amazon chief, who also arrived in the French Riviera with a support yacht, the Abeona, which itself measures 246ft and carries a slew of gadgets, machines and toys for Bezos and his entourage to enjoy.
These include a selection of supercars, motorbikes, smaller boats, jet-skis, and a helicopter.
Considered the world’s largest yacht available for charter – it has hosted Jay-Z and Beyoncé – the Flying Fox features stands 104 feet above the waterline, according to Boat International
Beyoncé and husband Jay Z are seen boarding The Flying Fox during a trip to Italy in 2021
The yacht, which features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins, was built in 2019 and features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins for 25 passengers
3. BEYONCE AND JAY Z – THE FLYING FOX (£360MILLION)
Considered the world’s largest yacht available for charter – it has hosted Jay-Z and Beyoncé – the Flying Fox features stands 104 feet above the waterline, according to Boat International.
The yacht, which features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins, was built in 2019 and features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins for 25 passengers.
Initially known as Vertigo, it was designed for entertainment and can cater to 18 guests staying in 9 cabins, served by a crew of 32.
However the Flying Fox was prohibited from sailing from the Caribbean island after it arrived there from St. Barts on March 21, 2022.
The superyacht, allegedly linked to a Russian oligarch Dmitry Kamenshchik was marooned in the Dominican Republic after the United States government requested an investigation into the vessel as a result of Russia’ invasion of Ukraine
Australian billionaire James Packer’s luxury superyacht IJE (pictured) was named after the first initial of his three children’s names, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle
The superyacht was bought by the media mogul (pictured) in April 2019 for an estimated $200 million after it took four years to construct
Built by Benetti, the IJE measures 354ft and is the flagship of the boat makers’ custom fleet. It has 11 cabins which have enough space to accommodate up to 22 guests
Packer and famous ex Mariah Carey are pictured aboard another of his yachts in 2016
4. JAMES PACKER – IJE (£223MILLION)
Named after the first initial of his three children’s names, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle – IJE was crafted by master ship-makers Benetti in Livorno, Italy.
The superyacht was bought by the media mogul in April 2019 for an estimated $200 million after it took four years to construct.
Weighing in at 300 tonnes and measuring 354ft, the IJE is designed to be a true party destination that can accommodate up to 22 guests – four more than the Koru – as well as 32 crew members.
It is equipped with a large swimming pool on the main deck, an integrated cinema, a gym, a beauty salon, a helipad, and even a nightclub, which is sure to go down well with Hollywood’s darlings.
While Bezos’ Koru may dwarf the IJE in terms of sheer size and its price tag, the attractions aboard Packer’s craft have clearly proven attractive to some of the world’s most recognisable faces.
Leonardo DiCaprio was just one such celebrity spotted aboard the mesmerising craft during the Cannes film Festival in 2023, stepping aboard alongside fellow film star Tobey Maguire before the evening’s festivities.
While he urges fans to take action, Leonardo DiCaprio has spent plenty of time on one of the world’s biggest, and most environmentally unfriendly, superyachts
DiCaprio, who burnished his eco credentials by starring in Netflix’s hit climate catastrophe satire Don’t Look Up – may be surprised to learn it costs £250,000 just to fill its fuel tanks
The 315ft, £110 million Vava II – which even features a helipad on the uppermost of its six decks – produces as much carbon by sailing just seven miles as an average car belches out in a year
DiCaprio was seen chilling out with friends aboard the Vava II during a trip to St. Barts in 2023
4. LEONARDO DICAPRIO – THE VAVA II (£110MILLION)
While he urges fans to take action, Leonardo DiCaprio has spent plenty of time on one of the world’s biggest, and most environmentally unfriendly, superyachts.
The 315ft, £110 million Vava II – which even features a helipad on the uppermost of its six decks – produces as much carbon by sailing just seven miles as an average car belches out in a year.
DiCaprio, who burnished his eco credentials by starring in Netflix’s hit climate catastrophe satire Don’t Look Up – may be surprised to learn it costs £250,000 just to fill its fuel tanks.
The superyacht, which also boasts a gym, swimming pool, ‘beach club’ and cinema, and is the biggest yacht to be manufactured in Britain, is owned by the Swiss pharmaceutical billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.
According to the manufacturer, the yacht can accommodate 22 guests and 30 crew and has a range of 5,700 miles when its tanks are fully laden with 115,000 gallons of diesel.
Estimates show the Vava II produces 238kg of carbon dioxide per mile – almost as much as the average British car emits in two months. But ship tracking websites reveal the Vava II has been mostly stationary in the Caribbean Sea recently, travelling no more than a mile a day.
JK Rowling put the 156ft Amphitrite – formerly owned by Johnny Depp – up for sale at just over £15million in 2016
The Amphitrite, named after the sea-goddess wife of Poseidon, was built in Turkey in 2001 and was refitted in bohemian Art Deco style by Depp in 2009 at a reported cost of £5million
As well as the master bedroom on the main deck, there are four other bedrooms and spacious dining, entertaining and relaxation rooms
Rowling reportedly paid £22million for the luxury vessel from Hollywood star Johnny Depp, having fallen in love with it after chartering it for a holiday with her husband Neil Murray
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star owned the yacht when he was married to French singer Vanessa Paradis (the couple are pictured on the boat with daughter Lily-Rose Depp in 2011)
5. JK ROWLING – THE AMPHRITRITE (£22MILLION)
Rowling put the 156ft Amphitrite – formerly owned by Johnny Depp – up for sale at just over £15million in 2016.
She reportedly paid £22million for the luxury vessel from Hollywood star Johnny Depp, having fallen in love with it after chartering it for a holiday with her husband Neil Murray and their two children.
The Amphitrite, named after the sea-goddess wife of Poseidon, was built in Turkey in 2001 and was refitted in bohemian Art Deco style by Depp in 2009 at a reported cost of £5million.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star owned the yacht when he was married to French singer Vanessa Paradis.
Depp named the yacht the Vajoliroja – a pun on the Jolly Roger using the first two letters of Vanessa, Johnny and the names of their children, Lily Rose and Jack.
Its name was changed early last year when Depp sold the yacht after marrying Amber Heard. The 1930s-style superyacht can sleep ten guests.
As well as the master bedroom on the main deck, there are four other bedrooms and spacious dining, entertaining and relaxation rooms. It was available for charter at more than £100,000 a week in the summer of 2016.
A for sale advert, placed on yacht brokers’ website Curtis Stokes & Associates, included photos of the Amphitrite’s lavishly decorated interior, including patterned wallpaper and crushed velvet seating.
An additional picture of the salon showed two separate seating areas with teak and glass double doors, sofas, end tables, coffee tables, lounge chairs and bar.
David Beckham’s 130 Bellissima comes with its own 20 square-metre garage, upper deck jacuzzi and lower deck swim platform
Taking advantage of its extra space, Beckham and his fashion designer wife were seen sunbathing as spring temperatures across the Gulf Coast continued to soar
The yacht has the single word Seven – a reference to Beckham’s Manchester United and England squad number, and daughter Harper’s middle name, emblazoned on its hull
The sun deck is located at the back of the yacht, where they were seen relaxing
6. DAVID BECKHAM – THE RIVA 130 BELLISSIMA (£16MILLION)
He’s perhaps better known for his achievements on the pitch, but former footballer David Beckham was been making waves of a different kind in March.
The retired Manchester United and England midfielder was joined by wife Victoria as they relaxed aboard an enormous superyacht off the coast of Miami, a second home for the couple and their four children.
The impressive looking vessel, understood to be worth £16million, is a significant upgrade on the comparatively modest 100-foot, £5million yacht reportedly purchased by Beckham, 48, in 2022.
Larger and more imposing than its predecessor – thought to be a ’90 Argo, purchased from yacht manufacturer Riva – the new boat boasts three sprawling decks and masses of space to unwind.
The vessel is believed to be another Riva design, the 130 Bellissima, complete with its own 20 square-metre garage, upper deck jacuzzi and lower deck swim platform.
Conor McGregor shelled out an eye-watering £2.5million on the Lamborghini yacht back in October 2021
The boat is one of numerous lavish purchases made by the multimillionaire fighter (pictured)
It boasts a dashboard based on Lamborghini’s mid-engine hybrid sports car, the Sián FKP 37, a stark contrast to the typical layouts used by yachts
7. CONOR MCGREGOR – LAMBORGHINI TECHNOMAR 63 (£2.5MILLION)
McGregor shelled out an eye-watering £2.5million on the Lamborghini yacht back in October 2021, with the sportsman proudly revealing he was the proud owner of just one of the 63 boats that were being made.
The Tecnomar 63 has been designed and built by the Italian Sea Group and Tecnomar for Lamborghini – with Conor buying number 12 of the sole 63 yachts that will be made in a nod to his Proper No.12 whisky brand.
The 24 ton, 63-feet long yacht can reach a top speed of 69mph (60 knots) and boasts 4,000 horsepower with its pair of 24.2-litre V-12 diesels.
Inspired by the iconic car, the yacht has an angular and futuristic design with Y-shaped headlamps and the famous Lamborghini logo.
There is also a dashboard based on Lamborghini’s mid-engine hybrid sports car, the Sián FKP 37, a stark contrast to the typical layouts used by yachts.
The yacht’s exterior is inspired by the Lamborghini Miura and Countach from the 1960s and 1970s, the former of which famously appeared in the opening sequence of the 1969 film The Italian Job.
