World’s Top 10 Most Expensive Superyachts

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Forget mansions and supercars; you could see any of those on a good day. The ultimate symbol of wealth is superyachts cruising on the waves. These aren’t Grandpa’s fishing boats. We’re talking floating palaces with jacuzzis, helicopter pads, and movie theaters that host celebrities and billionaires. The price tag to own one and the eye-watering cost of keeping it fueled and afloat could buy a fleet of luxury cars! In a list where the top three are worth over $2 billion combined, find ten of the most expensive yachts worldwide.

Pelorus ($200 Million)

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Imagine cruising the ocean on its Owner’s Suite with a captivating horizon-to-horizon view. Besides the jacuzzi, gym, and cinema, this 377-foot beauty has a helipad, a tender garage, and several smaller boats. When Lürssen, Tim Heywood, and Terence Disdale delivered the Pelorus, it was one of the largest yachts worldwide. She can accommodate over 20 guests in 12 cabins with enough room for a crew of 46 aboard all year round. Roman Abramovich first owned the Pelorus before Chinese billionaire and property magnate Samuel Tak Lee bought the vessel years later.

Radiant ($300 million)

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Lürssen Yacht originally built the Radiant for Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky, with Tim Heywood Design Ltd. and Terence Disdale Design handling the exterior and interior, respectively. However, he could not complete the payments due to financial difficulties, and Emirati billionaire Abdulla Al Futtaim snatched it up in 2010. This 360-foot vessel has a sleek design with an aluminum superstructure and teak-laid decks. Befitting her status as a superyacht, Radiant has multiple decks for relaxation and entertainment, a touch-and-go helipad, a cinema, garages for storing smaller boats, and a high-power water cannon for defense.

Motor Yacht A ($440 Million)

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With famed designer Philippe Starck handling the design of this 390-foot superyacht, Blohm+Voss built it before its delivery in 2008. You’d instantly recognize this masterpiece with its upside-down bow and minimalist superstructure. The Motor Yacht A has a 2,500-square-foot master bedroom, a glass-bottomed swimming pool, a disco, a 30-foot speedboat, and a helicopter hangar. The MY A is currently owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko.

A+ aka Topaz ($450 Million)

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After Lürssen built the A+, they launched it as Topaz in 2012. This masterpiece can comfortably accommodate up to 52 guests in 26 extravagant staterooms, plus a crew and staff of 79 for unparalleled service during voyages. Thanks to twin Wärtsilä Diesel Electric engines, the A+ has an impressive range of up to 5,000 nautical miles with a top speed of 19 knots (22 mph). This 482-foot yacht is currently owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

Serene ($500 million)

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Built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri, Serene spans a staggering 439 feet to become one of the world’s largest private superyachts. While Espen Oeino International worked on the exterior, Reymond Langton Design styled an interior design that earned it a decent reputation for luxury and unique features. Besides its outdoor movie hall, it reportedly has a snow and steam room, a submarine, and a helipad that converts into a dance floor or pool. The Serene, previously owned by Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler and chartered by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is currently in the possession of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Dubai ($500 million)

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The Dubai yacht is a floating masterpiece that ranks among the largest yachts in the world. It reportedly requires a crew of over 80 to maintain its smooth operation and cater to the needs of its guests. This massive 532-foot superyacht was initially a collaborative project by German shipyards Blohm+Voss and Lürssen for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. However, Sheikh Mohammed, the Ruler of Dubai, bought the vessel after Platinum Yachts completed the project. It has several luxurious amenities, including a disco, a swimming pool with elaborate handmade tiling, two jacuzzis, and a helipad.

Al Said ($600 million)

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This majestic vessel, initially commissioned by Qaboos bin Said Al-Said, the then Sultan of Oman, reflects the grandeur of Omani palaces. At 508 feet, this floating palace can accommodate about 70 guests in luxurious suites with a crew of over 150 to ensure smooth running. It also has a concert hall large enough to accommodate a 50-piece orchestra. Lürssen crafted the Al Said with Espen Oeino International, handling the exterior design, and British design house RWD styling the interior. 

Azzam ($600 Million)

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Although Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, commissioned the Azzam before passing in 2022, his successor, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now owns the vessel. Its construction involved a team of 4,000 people, working for over four years and clocking up about six million person-hours. The engineers installed a missile defense system and bullet-proof master suite for top-notch security. They also added an unusually shallow draft of 4.3 meters (14 feet 1 inch), allowing it to cruise in shallower waters compared to other superyachts. Thanks to its twin gas turbine General Electric (LM2500 +G4) 40,200hp engines, the 590-feet yacht can reach 25 knots (28 mph).

Eclipse ($700 Million)

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We’ve seen some magnificent yachts, but this 533-foot beauty designed by Blohm+Voss takes the gold-encrusted cake. When Roman Abramovich, a Russian-Israeli businessman and politician, owner of Millhouse Capital LLC, and former owner of Chelsea Football Club, bought this yacht, it was the most expensive worldwide. Besides the two swimming pools and helipads, it reportedly has extensive security features such as an intruder system, missile detection, armor plating, bullet-proof windows, and an anti-paparazzi shield with laser beams. 

Dilbar ($750 Million)

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Imagine enjoying the ocean view when a 512-foot yacht, the length of two football fields, appears. This stunning vessel, named after the owner’s mother, Dilbar Usmanova, features one of the largest indoor pools (82 feet) ever seen on a yacht. With two helipads, a lavish interior, and top-notch amenities designed by Winch Design, its high price tag is justified. The yacht, owned by a company held in a trust settled by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who amassed his wealth in metal and mining, was seized by German authorities in 2022 as part of sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. As of now, it remains in German custody.

Written by Devin J