The Most Outrageous Mega-Yachts of the Ultra-Rich

The ultimate display of wealth for the world’s elite and multi-billionaires these days is to own their own yacht. They commission not just a simple yacht but mega-yacht (yacht that measures more than 200 feet long). It is quite fascinating to see these very wealthy individuals are essentially trying to one-up each other in who owns the most extravagant and outrageous toys.

From Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern sheikhs and sultans to software magnates; these ultra-rich have billions of dollars to spare for building the most outrageous and luxurious yacht.

Here are some of the most outrageous mega-yachts.

The Octopus

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Owned by Paul Allen who cofounded Microsoft with Bill Gates, the massive 414 feet long yacht carries two helicopters. With a basketball courts, a large pool and even a pair of small submarines, Allen and his guests would surely enjoy staying on the Octopus. But the most outrageous feature of the Octopus is its crew. Rumor has it that most of the Octopus’ crews are ex-Navy Seals.

Rising Sun

When Larry Ellison, the billionaire CEO of Oracle, bought the 453 feet long Rising Sun it was considered to be the longest yacht in the world for a few months. Ellison sold the massive yacht to music and film mogul David Geffen. With 8 staterooms and 82 guest rooms, the Rising Sun has everything a billionaire can ask for. Guests could enjoy the yacht’s Jacuzzi, wine cellar and other amenities in the ship.

Savarona

Built in 1931, the Savarona was built for the granddaughter of John Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge designer. This 408-feet long yacht has an onboard small hospital. The yacht also has a 40 or more crews to cater guests’ needs. But the most outrageous feature of Savarona is its traditional Turkish bath, nammam, made from a staggering 260 tons of marble.

Guilty

This yacht maybe the most outrageous looking of all mega-yachts, Guilty looks like a ship built using LEGO sets. Owned by art collector Greek billionaire Dakis Joannou, the yacht was designed by contemporary artist Jeff Koons.

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Mirabella V

Mirabella V is a 247-foot-long sailing yacht. This gorgeous yacht comes with the complete amenities such as a gym, a sauna, and a 20-seater dining room. But the Mirabella V can’t fit under bridges such as the Golden Gate Bridge because of its outrageously massive single-mast. In fact, Mirabella V’s 292-foot mast is the tallest in the world. For the outrageous mast, the luxurious yacht only sails in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Al Salamah

Many people who have laid eyes on Al Salamah mistakenly took the yacht as a cruise ship. Al Salamah has 8 decks and is 456 feet long, this massive yacht is owned by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. Details of the yacht have remained secret but it is rumored that the yacht takes an astounding 96-person crew to be serviced.

Christina O

Originally a Canadian frigate that took part on D-day in WWII, the frigate was turned into a private yacht by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Christina O became famous for it became the playground of celebrities and politicians alike from JFK, Churchill, Marilyn Monroe and Richard Burton. The yacht was purchased by another Greek billionaire in 1998 and the new owner installed an outrageous bronze-bordered pool inlaid ancient Cretan mosaic frescos. With a push of a button, a deck rises above the pool turning the pool into a dance floor.

A

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s 390-foot-mega-yacht is one of the most polarizing yachts. The single-letter-named yacht which is designed by Philippe Starck is considered to be the “ugliest yacht in the sea” or the “most advanced designed yacht” looks more like a submarine than a yacht. A is outrageously designed that open space is virtually absent. Designed as a personal hideout of the billionaire, A features a 2,583 square feet master suite surrounded on all sides by bulletproof glass.

Ocean Breeze/Qadisiyah Saddam

Owned by the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the Ocean Breeze was built while Iraq was at war with Iran. The outrageous yacht is equipped with staterooms, salons, solid gold fixtures and other luxuries that the dictator needs. Ocean Breeze is also equipped with its own missile launching system and of course a mini-submarine in case of emergency evacuation. The mega-yacht has also a seemingly out of place prayer room built in it.

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Eclipse

Owned and built for Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, Eclipse is the most expensive privately owned yacht sailing in the sea. With a massive $785 million cost to build the yacht, features its own missile defense system, secret entrances and exits through a mini-submarine and a massive and unprecedented 5,000-square –foot master suite. To add more luxury to this already lavish mega-yacht, a private garden has also been installed.