Private jets aside, nothing says luxury like a yachts. Anyone can stay at a four star hotel or fly first class with a little extra cash – but owning a yacht takes your bankroll status to another level. Some have missiles; some have swimming pools; some host 90-person staffs, yet all of these boats, featured on The Daily Beast’s World’s 20 Biggest Yachts are enormous vessels of power, expense, and excess.
Dubai
Coming in at over 530 feet long, the Dubai was completed in 2006 by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum in 2006. It has three elevators, an open glass staircase, a swimming pool, and, of course, a helipad. It is large enough to accommodate 115 people, including crew and guest staff.
Eclipse
The newest yacht in Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s fleet is the largest private yacht now in existence. It boasts a missile-detection system, a luxury spa, two helipads, a swimming pool, and a miniature submarine. It reportedly cost more than $400 million. To keep out the prying eyes of the paparazzi, the yacht has an electronic “shield” that can detect light sensors in digital cameras and make them unable to take photos.
Built in Denmark in 1984, the Prince Abdul Aziz was the largest yacht built in the 20th century and held the honor as the world’s largest yacht for 22 years.At nearly 500 feet in length, it cost more than $200 million, has its own military-trained crew, and is rumored to hold missiles aboard. It also has a pool, cinema, parking garage, a small mosque, and an interior by renowned designer David Hicks.
Swift 141
The Dutch navy built the 462 foot Swift 141 in 1978. It is rumored to be one of the fastest gigayachts in the world, with a maximum speed of 26 knots and two diesel engines for a total of 42,000 horsepower. It has space for 60 passengers.
Feast your eyes on the rest of the world’s biggest yachts at The Daily Beast.
