Want a week aboard one of the finest vacation yachts afloat? You’ll need at least $300,000.

By Kim Kavin — October 2004

1. Annaliesse  More of this Feature • Part 1: Most Expensive Charters • Part 2: Most Expensive Charters continued • Part 3: Most Expensive Charters continued
Related Resources • Cruising/Chartering Index • Megayacht Feature Index

Money isn’t everything, and size doesn’t matter. Riiiiiight.

As we put together Power & Motoryacht’s first-ever listing of the world’s most expensive charter yachts, it became abundantly clear that liquid assets and length overall are very much the key to enjoying some of the finest vacations afloat. Our list includes a baker’s dozen of motoryachts that are in charter as of presstime and being actively promoted to the public—as opposed to yachts that are being offered quietly for charter to just a few friends of the owner. We’ve also left off yachts that regularly take cruise ship-style cabin bookings instead of providing full-time luxury service for one party at a time.

The rates given are base prices provided by the listing agencies. Keep in mind that they don’t include food, fuel, dockage, crew tip, and other expenses that can add another one-third to one-half of the rate to the total bill.

But hey, when you want the best of the best, price isn’t really everything—or is it?

1. Annaliesse
This 279-foot jaw-dropper is the latest launch from longtime charter entrepreneur Andreas Liveras. He took delivery of Annaliesse less than a year ago and, according to his company’s director, is “chock-a-block” with interest for Caribbean bookings this winter at a whopping $840,000 per week. We expect to get aboard just after you read this for a tour with director Kyri Kyriacou: “You have to leave a half day,” he tells us. “Stop on one of the upper floors for a rest and a coffee.”

Until then, we can give you the basics. Annaliesse takes 36 guests and has one-on-one crew to match should anyone need assistance in the cinema, gymnasium, or onboard hospital (which has satellite links to medical personnel shoreside, should the need arise). Other highlights include a library, a Roman bath, and a spa facility which includes plunge pools, a beauty salon, and massage facilities. Her draft is a full 12 feet, which will mean a lot of dinghy rides to shore, but guests can sprawl out at day’s end in the owner’s suite—which is nearly 1,200 square feet with the inclusion of the private deck.

Liveras Yachts Phone: (37) 7 97 97 45 10. www.liverasyachts.com.

2. Christina O
Several members of the Power & Motoryacht team enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres aboard this stunning 325-footer in Genoa, Italy, this summer. The former yacht of Aristotle Onassis has an interior every bit as luscious as her recent refit promised, though we were delighted to find an original touch in the owner’s suite: a slightly faded but beautifully embroidered comforter that oozed Jackie Kennedy’s style.

At €65,000 per day (roughly $550,000 per week at press time) for up to 30 guests, Christina O lets charter parties stroll the same companionways world leaders continue to enjoy. “This is a boat with a tremendous amount of nostalgia and history,” says Mike Everton-Jones, director at Yachting Partners International. Being attended to by 36 crew doesn’t hurt, either.
Look for Christina O in the Caribbean this winter.

Yachting Partners International Phone: (44) 1273 571722. www.ypi.co.uk.

3. Leander
Because this 245-footer has been on the charter market for some time, her rate is sometimes listed on older Web sites as $420,000 per week. Make no mistake, the folks at Peter Insull’s tell us from Monaco: Leander is only accepting bookings at $490,000 for the winter season in the Caribbean.

That she takes just 12 guests distinguishes her from the yachts higher up on this list. The privacy and attention afforded a charter party aboard Leander by her 24 crew is unique, which is why she remains in such demand. Well, that and her stuffed-to-the-brim toy box, which includes a pair of 30-foot tenders, an 18-foot Boston Whaler, two Lasers, three wave runners, three windsurfers, and two additional RIBs.

Peter Insull’s Phone: (33) 4 93 34 22 42. www.insull.com.

4. Golden Odyssey
Charter broker Christopher Craven in the Monaco office of Edmiston & Company assures us that this 265-footer is “very available” to the public at a weekly rate of $434,000. In fact, she is the only yacht on our list that’s expected to be offered this winter in the Seychelles and Maldives. She takes 12 guests and has 30 crew to tend to them, along with four additional cabins for nannies, bodyguards, and other staff the charter party has.

Golden Odyssey is part of the Golden Fleet: You can charter her in a $574,000 package deal with the 219-foot Golden Shadow, a support yacht where your staff can stay. In addition, Golden Eye, the seaplane, can be used for transporting luggage to and from the yachts, collecting provisions, and other logistical support, permitting an uninterrupted cruise.

Edmiston & Co. Phone: (310) 777-6535. www.edmistoncompany.com.

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