Mega Yacht Glamour

Most of the time I hear people say it is better to rent a super yacht than buying one, and I truly believed it .The cost of a super yacht is millions, sometimes hundreds of millions, it depreciates in value by days not mentioning annual running cost is almost 10% of the yachts value, it is definitely one bad business.

However having spent a few days on the mega yacht Air, a 81 meter yacht with a swimming pool, helipad, spa, gym, lift, 7 luxurious all ensuite double bedrooms and one massive master bedroom, this giant floating home has truly impressed me and I start to understand why it is desirable among these super-rich.

Even though I already know what to expect on a super yacht, the latest technology, ultra luxurious and stunning decor etc, my first wow on Air is when I saw a Lucio Fontana hanging in the living room wall. It is very much a happy surprise to see one of my all time favourite artist’s work but I didn’t expect this 5 million worth of art work would be just hanging there, without even a glass cover protection, in the middle of the ocean. My every day walk passing the living room to the outdoor dining room became one of my favourite.

My other surprise is the level of service that was provided on board. I have stayed in hundreds of five star hotels and I used to love being treated like a princess in the hotel as everything is a telephone button away. However,  Aman? One and Only? Four Seasons? nothing compares to a mega yacht like Air. You name it, they have it. On arrival with my large Rimowa case the crew unpacked everything for me. Clothes are hanged perfectly in the walk in wardrobe, underwear are folded perfectly in the drawers, handbags and shoes are perfectly placed and showcased, they also pressed every piece of dress that might became crease from the travel. My make up bag has about 50 different items in it and they arranged them like a piece of art. The room is spectacularly clean and neat when I first settled and it stayed that way the entire time—every time I walked out of my room they must have a monitoring system somewhow that they send a deck crew to tidy it up, anything doesn’t survive for 5 minutes in my rubbish bin in the room as soon as I leave the room, it was incredible.

We parked and cruised among other super yachts in South France, most of the time in St Tropez. Getting off the giant vessel onto a tender (smaller boat that takes you to the port) with gorgeous crew, then heading to beach clubs like Le club 55, Shellona, or Night clubs like Les caves du roy, rushing through paparazzi looking for celebrity trace… it was GOOD party. I mean, most glamorous way to party indeed. it was an extraordinary experience.

As I thought super yacht is all about enjoying undisturbed leisure and living out the fantasy life, it is not quite true. Being seen is part of the package owning or living on such an oversized vessel. The yachts are meant to enhance the reputation of their owners with ultra-rich peers.It is an ultimate status symbol.

How much does Air cost?A good hundred million I guess. However for these super or mega yachts, like J Pierpont morgan said,  “if you have to ask the price, then you can’t afford it.”