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This
change opened up a cavernous space in the middle of the yacht the size
of a three-story New York brownstone. New accommodations were added. The
middle deck now houses a banquet-size, split-level, formal dining room
that seats up to 40 guests. Its Baccarat wall lamps are original. As with
Onassis, only the best is available: The porcelain service is by Bernardaud
of Limoges, Waterford crystal by Rochas, and silverware by Ercuis and
St. Hilaire of Paris.
Alongside
the dining hall is a raised music room with grand piano and a pair of
conversation areas. It contains a collection of Maria Callas memorabilia,
including the only Gold Record that was ever awarded to her. On the main
deck there is a new gym, and for guests in need of a bit more pampering,
there is a new massage room and beauty salon. The Italian master Renzo
Romagnoli created the new Sports Lounge, featuring Onassis’ original
sextant wall lamps and gaming tables with large, comfortable seating.
New guest and service elevators were installed for efficient circulation
onboard.
Much
of the splendor Onassis created has been retained. Spanning her massive
stern is the open pool deck where opera diva Maria Callas loved to relax
during her tumultuous relationship with Onassis. Its centerpiece is the
bronze-bordered pool inlaid with mosaic frescos of ancient Crete. To the
delight of the guests, at the push of a button, the bottom raises to the
deck level, becoming an instant dance floor. The area has been freshened
with glistening varnished handrails and treatments over rich teak decks.
“Ari’s
Bar,” undoubtedly the most famous spot on the yacht, has been retained.
This is where Onassis presented the young John F. Kennedy to Sir Winston
Churchill, who was a frequent guest throughout his retirement. Covered
by a glass top over a lighted replica of the sea, it has tiny models that
display the development of ships and shipping throughout history. On the
wall is the original map that showed the daily position of the Onassis
fleet. The circular bar was adorned with footrests and handholds of ornately
carved and polished whales’ teeth collected by Onassis’ whalers.
The stools were covered with the foreskin of a whale, which led to Onassis’
favorite ditty, “Excuse me, Madame, did you know you are sitting
on the world’s largest….!” The stools have been recovered
in fine leather.
Aft,
the Lapis Lounge remains a central gathering point. Elizabeth Taylor and
Richard Burton loved to relax in the sitting room in front of the fireplace,
whose mantle was covered in deep-blue lapis lazuli. Its oak and iroko
paneling is living with original works of Renoir, Le Corbusier, and de
Chirico. Forward on the same deck, past the central atrium and spiral
staircase, the original guest staterooms, which Marilyn Monroe, Eva Peron,
Greta Garbo, and John Wayne once occupied, have been reconfigured. With
Jesurum of Venice, America’s JR Scott, and the UK’s house
of Mulberry, the renowned Italian house of Imart oversaw the redesign.
Each air-conditioned and soundproofed suite now has a large seating area,
bureau, walk-in closet, twin or double beds, and large portholes. The
original bathing salons have been replaced with luxurious en-suite marble
bathrooms with showers. Each suite is equipped with a full entertainment
system with TV, DVD, and CD players. In addition, on the lower aft deck,
eight elegant new staterooms have been fitted out, offering the same style
and elegance of the original suites.
Up on
the main deck, a new central gathering point was created. Forward of the
atrium and concierge office, the original semicircular dining room, where
Onassis once brokered blockbuster deals with industrial titans such as
J. Paul Getty, King Faud, and the Saudi Royals has been converted into
an elegant library. Forward, the reception hall that hosted some of the
the 20th century’s most famed wedding receptions—Princess
Grace and Prince Rainer of Monaco in 1954 and Onassis’ 1968 marriage
to Jacqueline Kennedy—has been elegantly updated with sofas, armchairs,
cocktail tables, and accent pieces by Giorgettio. It also converts into
a state-of-the-art cinema.
Outside
and aft, the original boat deck has been converted into a spacious “Jacuzzi
deck,” complete with alfresco dining facilities, a large circular
bar, and a raised sun terrace with spa pool and teak chaise lounges. Farther
aft, the plane deck, where Onassis kept his seaplane, is now a helipad.
On the
upper deck, Onassis’ private apartment has been refurbished. The
sitting room, with its original onyx fireplace, has library shelves, beamed
ceiling, and classic armchairs and sofas. It opens to the master bedroom,
fitted with a king-size bed, original Baccarat crystal fixtures, brass-framed
windows, and delicate linens from Venice. There is also a new en suite
Penteli marble bathroom. Forward, there are new captain’s quarters
behind the bridge.
Topping
the yacht, the huge sundeck is now fitted out with teak sun lounges and
a wet bar. On the bow are two specially designed RIBs and PWC, plus a
service crane. Aft on the bridge deck are two glistening Hacker tenders
and two lifeboats.
Christina
O lives up to her legendary past in modern splendor. Somehow, one
can’t help but wonder if there is a smile in the heavens from “an
old Greek sailor,” satisfied that his legend lives...
John
Lassiter is the author of a book about Aristotle Onassis and runs a real
estate and maritime agency.
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