1. Sea Dream, Uruguay – 1,249m Length: 600m
Fancy living the life of luxury at the edge of the world in a boat that stretches over 600m? Luxury cruise line Royal Caribbean, owned by Miami-based Carnival Corporation, is offering 90-days “luxury on the high seas” on the Sea Dream, with a crew of 44.
Included with cruises from Montevideo are superyacht sailings to beaches on South America’s north and south coasts, as well as a destination in the Caribbean. You can also charter the Sea Dream to fly solo around the world. Not available for sale, rates are higher for longer periods of cruising.
Sea Dream offers a lush interior and a large stateroom with ensuite shower room
2. The Nautica, Panama – 1,183m Length: 568m
Another cruise line offering superyacht holidays, this time on the Equator, which has a stretch of river running north-south between Panama and Nicaragua. Inside, the decor is Brazilian blue-and-green and there is a large stateroom with ensuite shower room (a side bonus if you need to take a nap or find it hard to pull away from the balcony).
An ice-breaking excursion from Panama to Nicaragua on board The Nautica
3. Azura, Greece – 1,162m Length: 668m
The largest of this year’s superyacht listings, this 450-foot yacht belongs to the private-finance firm and cruise operator Houlihan Lokey. In addition to being one of the largest passenger vessels afloat, Azura is also the fastest, with a maximum speed of 24 knots and a range of 45,000 nautical miles. All features are available as part of a package deal with Crystal Cruises.
The exterior of Azura, which promises a time in the lap of luxury
4. Sea Mist, Venezuela – 1,096m Length: 573m
Don’t let the fact that its 65ft that would comfortably fit into the sofa at home fool you. This year’s largest listing also has the longest hull length of any superyacht and the most square footage. Its huge decks fill most of the yacht and feature a sports court and cinema.
It is also relatively small for a modern superyacht, with occupancy of 150 guests and 110 crew (along with a helicopter pad and six helipads). Bookings with Viking are available for the duration of the three-year lease (from 10 May 2018).
5. Azzam, Saudi Arabia – 1,091m Length: 625m
On the smallest, and mostly unknown, of this year’s listings, the Azzam was built in 2007 in Australia. Inside is a vast 40,000 sq m of sheer luxury, with a glass façade and custom-made carpets.
Saudi Arabia’s newest superyacht stands out for its striking modernity
6. Hanoi, Vietnam – 1,087m Length: 559m
Sailing between Vietnam and China, this boat carries 12 guests and 33 crew and can go 20 knots with a 2,200-litre champagne list. Interior features include a retractable front pool and a casino, while the boat’s Bordeaux exterior is in reference to the bordeaux village, called Hanoi, outside the city.
Hanoi was the region’s first floating luxury resort when it was built in 1996 and was revitalised in 2007 to include restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities, but cruises have been discontinued in the last few years.
The interior of the Hanoi, which offers champagne on tap for guests
7. Kandor, Australia – 1,087m Length: 554m
For ultra-luxury cruises on the high seas, you might as well move into luxury hotels. This yacht, which is half as long as a football pitch, has a range of 40,000 nautical miles, a maximum speed of 29 knots and includes a pool, gym and 18 bedrooms.
The front of Kandor, which has 18 bedrooms
8. Glen Deliziano, Italy – 1,067m Length: 542m
British cruise line Regent Seven Seas is no stranger to river cruises, and its newest addition is appropriately named. Two of Glen Deliziano’s four decks are based on verandas looking over the St Lawrence river. The inside of the ship is big and palatial, with an indoor disco, two cinema screens and a marble dining room.
Nine guests can be accommodated on the boat at any one time.