Call it, “Life imitating art.” They were under siege by a great white shark in the 1975 film, JAWS. Actor Roy Scheider’s character exclaimed, ‘We’re gonna need a bigger boat.’
SPIELBERG
Obviously the film’s director, Steven Spielberg, took that sentiment to heart. His 282 foot superyacht is up for sale. It will be replaced with an even larger vessel.
SEVEN SEAS
Oceanco 2010 Spielberg yacht SEVEN SEAS lived up to its name. The famous director, his wife Kate Capshaw, and their seven children made it happen. They took the yacht on a 30,000-mile round-the-world cruise.
CELEBRITY GUESTS
Over the years, many famous Hollywood celebrities have been guests onboard the yacht. For instance, Gyneth Paltrow and Leonardo DiCaprio. The UK’s Daily News wrote an article. A friend of the director said, “Steven didn’t realize how much he’d enjoy cruising the ocean. Now he’d like to spend more time exploring the seas, and bring a few friends along for the ride. So he’s upgrading to a bigger yacht.”
COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
The yacht is sometimes available for hire. This season’s charter rate in the Mediterranean is $1.2 million per week.
If you’re considering renting the yacht this summer, you might have to wait until September, as the legendary director and his family have spent a considerable portion of their summer vacation onboard, and were recently spotted taking in the sites of Portofino, Italy. Even the family dog is along for the ride.
Whether as an effort to diversify investments, ego or challenge – many international celebrities have spent millions of dollars for the opportunity to own a superyacht. Unlike athletes who splash their names on a restaurant and cover the walls in memorabilia as a shrine to their athletic glory, celebrity yacht owners rarely view their vessels as a tool for self-promotion. Instead, these yachts serve as a private oasis, a retreat from the constant pressures of the high-profile world of business and entertainment.
When not in use by their owners or families, many of these yachts are available for hire as luxury mega yacht charter vessels.
While a celebrity’s name might pique your interest in considering his or her yacht, it’s the onboard amenities, professional crew, and overall design of the vessel that ultimately lead a client to rent a specific private yacht.
Still, for many people (especially the charterer’s children), it’s fun to say,
“We just spent a week on P. Diddy’s private yacht!“
To that end, we’ve compiled a list of our three favorite celebrity-owned yachts for hire:
1. VAJOLIROJA
Sailing the high seas as the lead character in the blockbusterPirates of the Caribbean movie franchise might explain why actor Johnny Depp has a passion for fine yachts.
Motor yacht VaJoLiRoJa — the boat’s clever name comes from combining the first few letters of each family member’s name, partner Vanessa Paradis, Johnny, and their kids, Lily-Rose and Jack — is a 156′ Mediterranean yacht charter vessel of distinctive character, inspired by the classic gentleman’s yachts of the 1930’s.
The lavishly-styled interior evokes the romance and glamour of a bygone era (with a few pirate-themed hints throughout). Available for hire in the Mediterranean for € 98,000 per week in July and August, and € 84,000 per week the other months.
2. VA BENE
According to the story, legendary rock star Eric Clapton (“Layla,” “Tears in Heaven,” “Cocaine“) chartered motor yacht Va Bene in 2005 and loved the yacht so much, he purchased it from then owner, F1 motor racing CEO Bernie Ecclestone. The 157 ft (47.8m) yacht can accommodate 12 guests in six separate sleeping cabins and has a crew complement of 13 when under charter.
The yacht’s interior is best described as calm and informal, with neutral tones in the décor and an Art Deco theme running through the main guest areas. Clapton, a collector of modern art, has filled the yacht with paintings, sculptures, and ceramic vases.
Motor Yacht Va Bene is available for Caribbean yacht charter hire in the winter and spring at a rate of $189,000 per week. In the summer, the yacht is based in the Mediterranean and is priced at $210,000 per week in July and August, and $189,000 per week all other months.
3. SEVEN SEAS
After her launch in 2010, speculation swirled around Steven Spielberg’s motor yacht SEVEN SEAS as to whether or not she would enter the charter market. At first – she did. Recently, however, Spielberg withdrew the yacht from charter for extended personal use. Hopeful that the superyacht will one day return to charter, we have selected her for our list of the best celebrity-owned (charter) yachts.
At 86 meters in length, her size, shape, and style ensure that motor yacht Seven Seasis one of the most impressive yachts in the world. Built by Oceanco, the megayacht features an infinity swimming pool on her aft deck which can conveniently be transformed into a full helipad or used as a screen for viewing movies while on deck or in the pool. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we will soon see the return of Seven Seas to the rental marketplace!
HOW TO BOOK A CELEBRITY-OWNED YACHT CHARTER
Do you know any other celebrity-owned yachts worthy of mention? Help us expand our list and see if we can come up with the top ten celebrity-owned yacht, even if they are not for hire. Contact us with your nominations HERE.
Ah, life is good for film star Leonardo DiCaprio. He is dating “Gossip Girl” actress Blake Lively. First, we see Leo relaxing onboard motoryacht SEVEN SEAS, Steven Spielberg‘s multi-million dollar superyacht, during the recent Cannes Film Festival 2011.
Now we hear di Caprio news. He is about to take delivery of a 2012 Fisker Karma hybrid luxury sports sedan. And not just any Fisker Karma – the very first one ever built.
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO HYBRID CAR
The actor leads the green enviro movement in Hollywood. His latest toy, like his Toyota Prius, is built with sustainability in mind. The Karma is designed by Henrik Fisker, formerly of Aston Martin, and has been developed around an aluminium chassis.
ABOUT THE KARMA
A pair of electric motors totaling 403hp powers The plug-in Karma. The first is a 22 kWh lithium ion battery. The second is a 175kW generator via a 2.2L gas engine.
Even with its eco-friendly background, the Karma features a 125mph top speed. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
WHO HAS HYBRID CARS?
Also waiting in line for his own hybrid is Al “An Inconvenient Truth” Gore.
Yes, poor Leo. The “Django Unchained” star was hard at work, toiling away like the rest of us 9 to 5 “lunchpailers.” Specifically after being snubbed by the Oscar voters.
Well…maybe “toiling” is not the right word.
WHERE DID DiCAPRIO GO AFTER ACADEMY AWARDS?
DiCaprio skipped the Academy Awards ceremony. He then lounges on a docked yacht in southern California on Monday. Furthermore, surrounded by bikini-clad women. Ahhhh, the good life.
The actor went without a nomination for his work in Django, but co-star Christoph Waltz picked up the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, while director Quentin Tarantino snared an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Leo was onboard, reshooting scenes. Moreover, for his upcoming movie, “The Wolf of Wall Street.” He sports white linen pants, sunglasses, and a slicked-back 80’s hairstyle. The 38 year-old actor portrays real-life stockbroker, Jordan Belfort, in a Martin Scorsese film. In specific, the film is about Belfort and his role in the Wall Street fraud case in the 1980’s.
MARGOT ROBBIE IN SWIMSUIT
Five women in bathing suits joined Leo on the yacht for the re-shoot. For instance, co-star Margot Robbie, dressed in an eye-catching gold one-piece bathing suit with a plunging neckline. Robbie plays Belfort’s wife, Nadine.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow joins Steven Spielberg for a day of boating that ends up costing him. The Hollywood Director received a small fine from the Italian Coast Guard, as his yacht came too close to the coast and angered beachgoing sunbathers in Sardinia.
DAILY MAIL REPORT
According to the Daily Mail, Spielberg’s 280 foot motor yacht, SEVEN SEAS, breached maritime regulations. Beachgoers were quick to call police and the Coast Guard, who slapped the director of “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn“ with a 172 Euro fine.
COAST GUARD REPORT
As to the incident, Merchant Marine’s Vincenzo Petrella stated,
“We arrived at the scene, and there was a bearded gentleman signing autographs for people on the beach. Holidaymakers called us because the tender was so close to the shore. I recognized him instantly and he came up to me and said ‘I’m Steven Spielberg. How can I help?’ I told him that regulations forbid tenders coming within 300 meters of the shore. I said that I had no other option but to fine him.”
Per Petrella, the “very apologetic” director offered to pay there, on the spot. “I explained it had to be paid via a post office account. He took the paperwork and the next day a fax arrived at our office confirming that the fine had been paid” to the merchant navy.
ABOUT THE YACHT
Originally available as a Mediterranean yacht charter vessel, Spielberg yacht Seven Seashas been used exclusively this season by her famous owner, and numerous celebrity guests, like Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio have been spotted onboard. DiCaprio is a huge sustainability and green proponent.
Sardinia has been on everyone’s radar for the past few weeks. First, we heard how Steven Spielberg, with Gwyneth Paltrow in tow, ran afoul of the local authorities as the tender to his superyacht, motoryacht SEVEN SEAS cruised too close to island beachgoers.
PERINI NAVI YACHT CHARTER FLEET
Then, we reported on the Perini Navi yacht charter fleet preparing for early September’s sailing regatta against the beautiful backdrop of Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
WANT TO SEE IT ON A MAP?
So exactly where is Sardinia and what is the allure that draws so many sailors and visitors?
Sardinia is Italy’s second-largest island as well as the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is famous for its beautiful beaches and fascinating history. The nearest land masses are (clockwise from north) the French island of Corsica, the Spanish Balearic Islands, and the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, and Tunisia.
For Atlas lovers, the island of Sardinia is situated between 38° 51′ and 41° 15′ latitude north and 8° 8′ and 9° 50′ east longitude. To the west of Sardinia is the Balearic Sea; to Sardinia’s east is the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Over many centuries the island has survived countless invasions by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs. Local festivals on the island still reflect the long-lasting impact of those cultures.
Numerous castles, villages, temples and tombs cover the countryside, and with its perfect summer weather, tourists arrive in droves, some via Mediterranean yacht charter vessels, but many more via ferry service from the Italian mainland. In conclusion, where is Sardinia? It is a beautiful superyacht charter destination in the Mediterranean. It is perfect for The Superyacht Experience(tm) by 1800yachtcharters.
Why rent a private yacht to attend the world’s preeminent film festival? What if you can stay onboard your own superyacht?
STEVEN SPIELBERG
That’s exactly what Steven Spielberg does. He opts to stay aboard his 282 foot luxury yacht charter vessel, motor yacht SEVEN SEAS. He does this during film festivals like the 66th annualCannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France.
The legendary film producer and director spends most nights onboard. Why not enjoy your Oceanco motor yacht SEVEN SEAS, along with wife, Kate Capshaw?
Spielberg served as the President of the film jury for the 66th annual competition.
DIRECTOR SPIELBERG COMMENTS
When asked about his role as head of the jury, Spielberg replied, “It is an honor and a privilege to preside over the jury of a festival that proves, again and again, that cinema is the language of the world.”
HOW DO CELEBS HANDLE CROWD?
While other A-list celebs were forced to navigate the crowded streets of Cannes and the endless sea of paparazzi, Spielberg and his guests escaped each evening to the privacy of a, “floating villa.” Spielberg yacht SEVEN SEAS offers accommodations for 12 guests and is loaded with amenities.
The infinity swimming pool on her aft deck can conveniently be transformed into a full helipad, or used as a screen for viewing movies while on deck or in the pool, itself.
The film festival concluded. The yacht and her owner planned to spend several weeks privately cruising. They enjoyed the Mediterranean before heading back to the United States.
Internet rumor mill ignored. Actress Blake Lively happily spends quality time with new beau, Leonardo DiCaprio.
Websites circulated photos showing the “Gossip Girl” actress posing naked. Blake and Leo were unphased. They were seen relaxing and laughing onboard motoryacht SEVEN SEAS. They enjoyed Spielberg’s multi-million dollar superyacht during the Cannes Film Festival.
FAKES?
Lively’s spokeswoman issued a statement saying the photos aren’t real.
“The photos of Blake Lively which have just surfaced on various websites … are 100 percent FAKE,” the spokeswoman said. “Blake has never taken nude photos of herself.“
PEREZ HILTON COMMENTS
The Internet was abuzz last week. Five photos of the naked, busty blond taking iPhone bathroom selfies appeared on celebrity websites. Celebrity blogger Perez Hiltonwrote,
“Blake Lively won’t be happy about this,” while site Zap2It, suggested the pictures were old.
LEGAL ACTION
Lively will take legal action. She will go against any outlets that publish the photos.
CURRENT LIVELY STATUS
Earlier this year, she was hired as the face of Chanel’s Mademoiselle handbag ad campaign.
The actress had a chance to take a break from the hustle of the film fest and relax at sea with Leo and his good friend Lukas Haas onboard Steven Spielberg’s 282 foot vessel. At one point, Lively was seen enjoying a big laugh with Di Caprio before getting a warm hug from the Hollywood leading man.The former Mediterranean yacht charter vessel, motor yacht SEVEN SEAS was originally put into charter after her launch in late 2010. At the time, she was on of the largest yachts available for hire. Since then, her famous owner had a change of heart and decided to keep the yacht for private use only…at least for now.
The deckhand approaches the charter of guests. He says, “would anyone care to ride the banana?“
BANANA
Surprisingly, not an eyebrow was raised nor a snicker made by any of the guests at the funny name. These were repeat charterers, and they knew. A”banana” is one of the reasons that they chose to charter this Feadship yacht.
NEWEST WATERTOYS
A banana is one of many popular watertoys available on most Caribbean yacht charter vessels. It is a towable toy that is a giant, yellow, floating cylindrical tube, with room for 3 or more fun-loving adventurists.
Charter skippers add more new toys to their onboard inventory every season. Yachts used to only carry a couple of fishing poles, snorkel gear, and a windsurfer. Now, you find waverunners, underwater scooters, and multiple towable toys onboard the typical vessel for hire.
“When it comes to toys on today’s charter vessels, the rule of thumb is simple – go extreme,” says Sheeder. “We now see yachts carrying high performance waverunners, segway scooters for playing ashore, and even small submarines for exploring reefs.“
TYPICAL TOYS
The onboard toy inventory of Oceanco motor yacht SEVEN SEAS reads like a Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. The yacht carries multiple watertoys. Just a few, for instance, are 3 tenders, 4 waverunners, windsurfers, paddleboards, kiteboard, kneeboard, wakeboard, snorkel gear, and multiple Aqua Slides.
BLADEFISH, ANYONE?
The 81 meter Feadship motor yacht AIR keeps pace with yacht SEVEN SEAS by including among her toys: 2 Laser sailing dinghies, 4 Kayaks, SCUBA gear (certified divers only), and 4 BladeFish underwater scooters.
Sheeder is grateful her yacht owners continue their pursuit of bigger, faster, more unique toys.
“In the end, it’s the charter customers who benefit from the childlike enthusiasm of yacht owners willing to spend whatever it takes to have the newest toys and techno-gadgets onboard their luxury yachts.“
HOW TO BOOK A YACHT CHARTER
Are you ready to charter a mega yacht with onboard toys like the banana, Bladefish underwater scooters, segways, and submarines? Contact 1-800 Yacht Charters HERE to book your vacation now!
Her celebrity owner used the yacht all summer. On-again/off-again Mediterranean yacht charter superyacht SEVEN SEAS heads to the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show. The show is September 21 through 24.
Contemporary styling and modern lines define this elegant yacht. To illustrate, she boasts extraordinary interior volume. Her beam is 14.20 meters. Oceanco motor yacht SEVEN SEASfeatures accommodations for twelve guests. Accommodations include four large guest suites and two luxurious VIP suites.
YACHT EXTERIOR
Oceanco’s signature infinity swimming pool is on the aft deck. It can be conveniently transformed into a helipad. A favorite innovative highlight of 1-800 Yacht Charters’ President, Jana Sheeder on Seven Seas, is a projector. This throws an image up onto the aft glass wall of the pool. It allows guests to watch movies while swimming or on the quay.
MAIN SALON AND CINEMA
The owner has an iconic role in American cinema. He highlights in through his yacht. For example, the main salon has a professional projection system and a 5 x 2 meter screen. These are coupled with two rows of raked seating. The seating can transform into a screening theater. Next to the main salon is a 250m² area. To illustrate, it can host everything from casual al fresco dining to a black-tie Cannes Film Festival gala.
YACHT AMENITIES
The yacht has an extensive list of amenities. For instance, a custom enclosed 10.5 meter limo tender and custom 9.2 meter open sport boat are watertoys.
OCEANCO AT MONACO YACHT SHOW
Oceanco is proud to present this magnificent yacht. Her presence at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show is welcome. Her berth number is slip R01. Above all, visits on board will be by invitation only.
HOW TO BOOK A YACHT CHARTER?
Want to attend the Monaco yacht show? Please contact our destination specialists HERE.
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