Ultra luxury reenters the equation for the world of international cruises.

Although most travelers have at one time or another aspired to cruise to exotic locations in luxury, it can be difficult to find a company that can truly fulfill this promise and all that it means, from proper staffing to excellent appointments. For this reason, it is reassuring to know then that there is at least one company still offering worldwide cruises where luxury is not just a word but a way of life.

The Yachts of Seabourn was designed to provide ultra-luxury cruises to the world’s premier destinations while creating a lifestyle for passengers that is both highly personal and utterly carefree. This company focus originates from President and Chief Executive Officer Pamela C. Conover and is personified by the staff. Conover explains that, in an effort to create the most highly personalized experience possible, the crew specializes in the art of the delightful surprise. This means that crew members will take the time to learn about the individual desires of Seabourn passengers in an effort to anticipate every need.

While Conover ensures the highest standard of luxury and staff preparedness on Seabourn’s yachts, she is also determined that the destinations frequented on the company’s tours be both among the most desirable in the world and the least known and hardest to reach. This aspect of Seabourn’s program is designed by Director of Itinerary and Land Development Timothy Littley. Littley crafts diverse itineraries that blend marquee destinations, such as the Amalfi Coast, Italy, Alexandria, Egypt and Hong Kong, with ports in hitherto unknown and exotic locales. In Conover’s opinion, the most exotic location that Seabourn frequents is Nuku Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. She notes that Nuku Hiva is difficult to reach by any means other than yacht, making it exotic, exclusive and a favorite destination of passengers.

While this combination of exotic and marquee locales sets Seabourn apart from other cruise lines, the company also seeks to maintain an even balance between days at sea and in port. This desire is motivated by Conover’s personal preferences and experiences; as she explains, she loves to explore new ports of call when the opportunity is available. However, she recognizes that a new port may break into a passenger’s sense of relaxation as the serenity of the cruise is replaced with the excitement generated by exploring an unknown place. Though Conover looks forward to new experiences in different ports, she also treasures those mornings when there’s no pressure to go anywhere. As she says, referring to the relaxation one can have at sea, “I don’t get a lot of that in my life.” Since most of her passengers also don’t get as much relaxation as they would like, a mixture of days on and off the water is as welcome to them as it is to the CEO herself.

An ocean cruise is the perfect method of combining the nearly mutually exclusive pastimes of travel and relaxation. Travel is often not very relaxing, but with a cruise on a fully appointed Seabourn ship, as Conover points out, “You cannot beat the convenience of traveling on a ship. You unpack once, and then your perfect, small hotel moves with you so you never have to check in or out, make a plane or train, [or] re-train staff about how you like things.” With The Yachts of Seabourn, you need only worry that you have chosen a long enough cruise to fulfill your needs. Luckily, Seabourn offers cruises that last as long as 111 days. The prices for such a cruise range from between $50,000 to $233,000. For those with less relaxed time constraints, cruises as short as 12 days may also be had depending upon availability. Regardless of the duration that one chooses, however, The Yachts of Seabourn is a premier provider of ultra-luxury worldwide cruises.

The Yachts of Seabourn, 800.929.9391, www.seabourn.com

Can you imagine having a drink at Rick’s Café in Casablanca, a festive New Year’s Eve in Sydney, and an exciting safari through the Serengeti—all in world-class luxury from a splendid private residence on a magnificent ocean liner?

The world’s finest marine architects, engineers and shipbuilders have collaborated to build the most luxurious, technologically-advanced ocean liner ever conceived.  At 981 feet, Utopia is the largest passenger ship ever built on the Asian continent, at a cost of $1.1 billion.

Undisputedly one of the world’s most palatial ships, Utopia will house 199 privately-owned residences, a 206-suite boutique hotel, fine dining restaurants, a nightclub, a casino, and a world-class spa.

A sumptuous city unto itself, Utopia is also a traveling world, embarking on a perpetual tour of the world’s great port cities at the height of their annual festivals and celebrations, including Carnival in Rio, the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, and the Venice Biennale.

Each with a terrace and a spectacular view, the elegant, privately-owned residences range in size from 1,450 to 6,110 square feet. The ship’s luxe accommodations are exemplified by their lavish Utopian Estates. With stunning panoramic views, these opulent, 6,000-square foot penthouses in the sky are the most luxurious private residences on the high seas today.  There are only six.

Each estate’s grand salon, with an 80-foot expanse of windows leading to its spacious, 100-foot outdoor terrace, is a wonderful venue for entertaining on a grand scale. From a sunset cocktail party at the America’s Cup finish line, to a candlelight dinner with the lights of Monaco twinkling in the distance, the view is never the same.

With superb five-star amenities, life aboard Utopia offers many luxurious pleasures—fine dining in the ship’s three signature restaurants, gambling in the plush casino, and dancing ‘til dawn in the hottest nightclub at sea.  You can also enjoy jazz in the ship’s more intimate lounges, or take in a show or a movie in Utopia’s 525-seat theater.

Daytime activities on board include a 6,000 square foot golf center, pools, a gym, a walking track, and a putting green.  There are conference facilities and a state-of-the-art medical complex with a helipad for emergencies.

If you need dinner reservations at a four-star Michelin restaurant that’s been booked for months, a chopper to take your friends over Rio’s Sugarloaf at sunset, or prime seats at the Olympics, Utopia’s world-class concierges can make just about anything happen.

As the view changes, so do opportunities for adventure. Setting a new standard in elite travel, Utopia’s advance scouts will search out anything you need, from golf on the world’s most legendary courses, to heli-skiing in South America.  In addition, Utopia’s travel specialists can handle everything from hot air ballooning over the Cotswold’s, to booking a private jet at a moment’s notice.

For those with a love of adventure and a passion for world-class luxury travel, Utopia offers an idyllic experience without equal, in a style unsurpassed by any other mode of transport.

Utopia is slated to launch in 2013.  Prices start at $3.9 million for a 1,400 square-foot residence and range up to $24 million for a 6,600 square-foot penthouse.

Utopia, www.utopiaresidences.com, 315.294.5031

At the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show this weekend, chic Italian luxury yacht builder Riva will debut a new model designed specifically for the American market, the 52-ft. Rivale Palm Beach. The boat’s deck and hull are finished in a new color, desert sand, with Roman bronze detailing on the dashboard and signal mast evoking the image of a shark’s flipper. Inside the cabins, the walls and furniture are made of luminous elm, embellished with topstitched natural-grain leather, for a soft, dark contrast to the Roman bronze lacquering.

The size of the yacht permits the owner to man the craft himself, though there is space for two more guest cabins equipped with twin beds and a day head in addition to the master cabin, located at the bow with an en suite bathroom. The Rivale Palm Beach is equipped with two 1100-hp Man engines, for a top speed of 40 knots and range of 260 nautical miles at cruising speed. Riva has been an icon of classic Italian Riviera style since the 1950s, a favorite of Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Aristotle Onassis and Prince Ranier of Monaco. Priced at $2.46 million, the Rivale Palm Beach is available through Riva’s US dealer, Allied Marine.  www.alliedmarine.com

Thanks to Royal Phuket Marina, yacht owners no longer have to share dock space with other boats. A $3.1 million penthouse condo called “Aquaminium” has been put on the market to house both yachts and their owners privately. The penthouse is located at Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand.

The individuals who purchase the penthouse will be housed in a 15-unit complex. There is only one of two Aquaminium units currently on the market, which accommodates a 12-meter boat.

The property also features a lounge that includes a home-theater, bar, Jacuzzi and hydrotherapy area. A glass wall is also included in the condo design, which allows owners to watch the safety of their boats.

The posh living quarters of the penthouse does not spare any luxury either. With four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a lower level dining room and a cabana with a day bed, this property would be any yacht owner’s dream. It also comes complete with an elevator to transfer people from the dock to the living quarters.

Gulu Lalvani, known for founding Binatone, the world’s second largest digital cordless phone manufacturer, developed the condominiums. The buildings were finished in 2009, with the launch slated for a 2011 release.

According to Lalvani, he created the condominiums for the “discerning global yachtie in mind.” His aim is to turn draw more affluent individuals to Phuket marina, making it a rival to the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

No matter what time of year, the yachting property complete with a garage is sure to draw jet-setters to its docks.

- Affluent Page

http://www.royalphuketmarina.com/

The fifties and sixties birthed the epoch of “La Dolce Vita,” heyday for Riva’s Aquarama speedboat. In a highly anticipated collaboration, Marc Newson has partnered with Riva and their official designers at Officina Italiana Design, to reinterpret the famous leisure vessel.

Marc Newson’s “Transport,” a post-war Italian influenced exhibition of all his major works, will unveil the reinvented Aquariva, a limited edition collection of 22 boats sold exclusively at the Gagosian Gallery. The exhibition will also feature a complete collection of illustrations and an interview by Louise Neri.

The Australian designer, well known for his broad spectrum in design, has made no exception with his latest achievement; Mark Newson’s aesthetic talent is fully evident. Skilled in both conceptual and constructional components, he used a wood-like, textile based laminate for the deck area. The material, which was developed in the first half of the twentieth century, is the predecessor of the fiberglass and considerably more durable than wood. Newson then upgraded the Aquarama’s original exterior with an anodized aluminum in the new Aquariva, a step up from traditional stainless steel and chrome brass. This lightweight material is rarely used for boats but attains a distinctive finish.

Carrying on the legacy of this iconic craft, Newson has managed to respect the DNA of the original design, yet he infuses the classic model with the latest nautical state of the art features. The Aquarama once defined Riva’s reputation as the epitome of style and luxury, and the Aquariva is no different. The evolution of such a classic is evident in Marc Newson’s impeccable design.

The revived and much anticipated Riva made its debut on September 14, and cost $1.5 million.

Riva Yacht

]]> http://affluentpage.com/retro-revival-aquariva-by-marc-newson-362/feed 0 http://affluentpage.com/quintessentially-one-set-to-sail-in-2013-337 http://affluentpage.com/quintessentially-one-set-to-sail-in-2013-337#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:51:59 +0000 Asa Drake http://affluentpage.com/?p=337

Having grown up during the heyday of the Titanic revival, sometime between the short lived Broadway musical and the James Cameron film, I must confess that I’ve always had a soft spot for luxury liners, and the latest in luxury yachts is no exception. The Quintessentially One, a 220 meter ship meant to undertake a never ending voyage as the world’s finest floating private club, strikes me as a whimsical and elegant concept. It promises to become a golden age in itself. Perhaps more akin to Gulliver’s floating island than any ship, the residential yacht offers a haven from the world at large.

Designed by naval architect Yran & Storbraaten, a leading name in the cruise vessel industry, Quintessentially One maintains a philosophy of hospitality and, like all of Yran & Storbraaten’s creations, hopes to offer “a warmth, often not … present in modern design.” While the ship will port at select cities in time for all of the most celebrated festivals, it is already a destination, a city in miniature with the amenities of Campbell Gray Hotels and The Wolseley. Already, the yacht boasts a night club, a shopping emporium, a gym, and a library. Although secluded from the mainland, the ship supplies a variety of business conveniences, including secretarial and translation services.

Residential suites, of which there are only twelve, occupy the top decks of the ship, which include large balconies and access to a private sun terrace.

For those interested in owning one of the residential triplexes, expect to pay between €8 and €12 million.

~Affluent Page

Quintessentially One

Yran & Storbraaten Architects

Luxury car aficionados want vehicles that are supreme in speed and style. It follows then, that they would want the same in a water vehicle. The brand new ‘171 Bel Abri’ from Amels delivers on all luxury fronts. In fact, when her designer, Tim Heywood, began mapping out the specs for the 171, he drew inspiration from the posh Italian sports cars of the early twentieth century–specifically the 1930’s. As Heywood describes it, the Bel Abri has an almost androgynous, “athletically feminine look.” While sleek and slim, she contains a luxurious twenty-meter sun deck with a Jacuzzi–giving the appearance of one seventy meters larger–and an owner’s suite that emphasizes outdoor living.

Many yachts take five full days to be approved for charter, but the 171 passed her sea trial in just one. The crew facilities, one of the vessel’s highlights, are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and sport a unique design that gives the staff unfettered access to the guests. At its core, the essence of the Bel Abri is high quality, speed, and a competitive starting charter price of $338,885 (275,000 euros) per week.

~Affluent Page

[Amels Holland]

Recently-completed luxury yacht RoMa has been officially put on sale through brokerage firms Edmiston Company and Merle Wood.

Completed in January by Viareggio Superyachts, this 61.8-meter ship features a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. The two 2,680 hp CAT 3516 B, 2000 kW engines provide a cruising speed of 14 knots. Espen Oeino lent their services for the naval architecture. With an 11-meter beam, RoMa’s spacious interior has enough room to sleep 12 guests and up to 18 crew members.

RoMa’s interior is a collaboration between Newcruise and Germany’s Gehr. Along with a full size master suits on the main deck, there are four guest cabins that include a VIP suite that is located on the bridge deck. Aside from the accommodations, this superyacht also features a gym, Jacuzzi, cinema, game room and a large pool.

RoMa is for sale through Merle Wood’s website, and has an asking price of €59.5 million.

-Affluent Page

[Merle Wood]

International Yacht Collection’s (IYC) Monaco office recently announced that it will serve as the central charter agency for the newly launched Mi Sueno.

Built by Trinity yachts, Mi Sueno can accommodate 12 guests within her six staterooms, with additional room for 14 crew members. Constructed out of aluminum, the 58-meter tri-deck ship features a spacious 10.13 meter beam, and a full beam split level master stateroom with stunning 180 degree panoramic forward facing windows.

Powered by two Caterpillar 3516-CHD engines – each producing 3384 hp – Mi Sueno has a cruising speed of roughly 17 knots, and tops out at approximately 19 knots. With a semi-displacement hull, the Quantum XT Zero Speed stabilization system makes for maximum comfort.

Mi Sueno will be available for charter beginning next month, and is priced at €325,000 per week in high season and €280,000 per week in low season. It sails out of the Western Mediterranean.

-Affluent Page

[International Yacht Collection]

With exclusive yacht charters already being offered around the world, Edmiston Company has officially added three journeys through the deep crystal clear water coastlines of over 1,000 islands in Croatia.

From the giant, deserted, pebbled-shaped granite rocks of Hvar, to the simple sophistication of Split, to the historic atmosphere of Dubrovnik, Edmiston Company has created pure aquatic indulgence.

Designed by the acclaimed Dubois and Redman Whiteley Dixon, Edmiston’s Nostromo provides substantial sunbathing space, as well as a split-level saloon lit by 180 degree windows. For €45,000 per week, up to ten guests can cruise on the richly appointed, 98 ft. long Nostromo.

For the same price per week, Edmiston will also offer the legendary Shamrock V (pictured). Built in 1930, the “Shamrock Vwas the first J-Class, and the only remaining example of a wooden hull.” Now rebuilt, the Shamrock V presents a fine, 118 ft.  figure with a full rig of sails. Although the Shamrock V was known in the past to race in classic regattas, up to eight individuals will now have the opportunity to sail in leisure among the islands around Hvar.

The flagship of Edmiston’s new Croatian yacht charters is the Grand Cru III. At over 199 ft., the comfort zone interior of theGrand Cru III can comfortably hold up to nine guests. Designed in a regal tradition of warm cherry paneling and full-width windows, the Grand Cru III features some unusual standouts, including an outdoor gym and a Turkish steam shower. At €80,000 per week, the Benetti Sail Division design is the “perfect exploration yacht.”

-Affluent Page

[Edmiston]