Yachts are among the most extravagant assets a person can own. They require a full-time crew, constant upkeep, and specialized infrastructure costing millions each year just to maintain.
For those who buy them, that level of expense isn’t a drawback. It’s part of what makes ownership so exclusive. These vessels are private, custom-built spaces designed for long-distance travel in total comfort and control.
Pricing reflects far more than size. The most valuable yachts are shaped by complex design work, rare materials, advanced technology, and amenities tailored to the owner’s lifestyle. Naval architects, interior designers, and shipbuilders spend years bringing each one to life.
From helipads and cinema rooms to secure communications and custom artworks, every detail is deliberate. In this article, we look at some of the most expensive yachts ever built, what sets them apart, and the controversies that surround them.
What Makes a Yacht Expensive?
The most costly yachts in the world are rarely just large. Their value comes from what goes into them: years of planning, premium materials, and a level of craftsmanship typically reserved for luxury real estate or aerospace.
A yacht is essentially a fully customized retreat built to reflect the owner’s tastes, privacy needs, and expectations of comfort. While two yachts may be similar in size, the one with better engineering, higher-spec interiors, and more advanced features can easily cost twice as much.
These vessels are tailored from the keel up, with no two exactly alike. Every structural and aesthetic decision contributes to the final cost.
Customization
High-end yachts are often designed from scratch by naval architects and finished by top interior design firms. The layout, materials, lighting, and artwork are chosen to suit a very specific lifestyle.
Whether it's a Moroccan-style spa, an underwater viewing lounge, or a cigar room clad in leather and teak, every space is built to order. Owners usually work closely with designers for years to perfect every detail.
This level of personalization doesn’t come cheap. Unique furniture, bespoke lighting systems, and hand-finished surfaces take time and skill to produce.
Designers like Terence Disdale, Winch Design, and Reymond Langton are in constant demand, and their involvement alone can push costs into the tens of millions. Onboard spaces often rival high-end hotels in both quality and atmosphere.
Materials
The raw materials used in these yachts are anything but ordinary. It's not unusual to find rare marble in bathrooms, gold-plated fixtures in staterooms, or exotic woods lining salons.
Some owners opt for crystal staircases or floors inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Bulletproof glass is also common, especially in bridge areas and owner's suites.
Premium materials aren’t limited to appearance, they also affect durability and performance. Lightweight metals may be used for better speed and fuel efficiency, while specialized coatings protect hulls in extreme climates.
The sourcing, transportation, and installation of these high-spec materials add significantly to the build cost.
Technology
Modern superyachts are as advanced as they are opulent. Some are equipped with mini-submarines, allowing owners to explore marine environments in privacy.
Others carry multiple tenders, jet skis, and even regular submarines that dock into hidden bays. Helipads are now standard on many larger builds, and some have hangars to store aircraft onboard.
Smart systems control everything from lighting and blinds to climate zones and entertainment. More security-focused yachts include encrypted communications, biometric access, and military-grade defense features.
Brand and Builder Reputation
Who builds the yacht matters. Builders like Lürssen, Oceanco, Feadship, and Benetti have decades of experience producing large-scale luxury vessels. Their projects are known for technical precision, fine craftsmanship, and smooth delivery.
A yacht from one of these shipyards typically holds its value better and commands more attention on the resale or charter market. Reputation also affects price; some shipyards are booked years in advance and take on only a handful of builds at a time!
More benefits of working with a top builder include access to the best naval architects, engineering teams, and project managers in the world.
9 Most Expensive Yachts
These are the vessels that redefine what money can build. Each one is the result of years of planning, design, and construction, often involving the most respected shipbuilders and designers in the world.
Their exteriors turn heads in every marina, but it's what lies inside that sets them apart. The yachts on this list aren’t available for charter, and they rarely appear in public beyond a quick glimpse from a drone or paparazzi shot.
Built for heads of state, royalty, and billionaires, these floating giants are more than transportation. They’re fortified sanctuaries, mobile estates, and in many cases, private offices at sea. Below, we look at the most expensive yachts ever built.
Eclipse
Eclipse superyacht by Moshi Anahory, CC BY-SA 2.0
Estimated Value: ~€340 million (~USD 350-438 million)
Owner: Roman Abramovich
Builder: Blohm+Voss, Germany
Year Delivered: 2010
Length: 162.5 m
Gross Tonnage: Not widely cited
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: Estimated high speed; cruising around 20 knots
Engines & Propulsion: Advanced diesel propulsion with stabilization systems
Exterior Designer: Terence Disdale
Interior Designer: Terence Disdale
Guests / Cabins: Up to 36 guests
Crew Capacity: Around 70
Notable Features: Two helipads, swimming pools, mini-submarine, anti-paparazzi laser system
Noteworthy Facts: Was world’s longest private yacht until 2013
Eclipse is a marvel of maritime engineering and luxury boasting a length of 162.5 m, gross tonnage over 13,500 GT and carried out by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg. Delivered in December 2010, this flagship yacht was designed by Terence Disdale and built under strict confidentiality.
Since its launch, it held the title of the world’s longest private yacht until overtaken in 2013 by Azzam. The vessel is stewarded by a crew of about 70 and can host 36 guests across 18 bespoke staterooms, including a full-deck master suite tailored with high-end artistic finishes and salon spaces spanning nearly entire decks.
Highlights include two helipads plus a hangar under the foredeck that accommodates a third helicopter; a convertible 16 m pool that transforms into a dance floor; a dedicated beach club, spa, cinema, sauna, and internal nightclub.
Eclipse carries a three-person mini-submarine capable of diving to about 50 m. Security is state-of-the-art with bulletproof glass, motion sensors, missile-detection systems, armored master suite, and an infamous anti‑paparazzi laser that detects camera sensors and disrupts photos before they’re taken.
Azzam
Azzam superyacht by Javier Virués Ortega, CC BY-SA 4.0
Estimated Value: ~$605 million
Owner: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE)
Builder: Lürssen Yachts, Germany
Year Delivered: 2013
Length: 180 m
Gross Tonnage: Not widely cited
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: Over 32 knots
Engines & Propulsion: Dual gas turbines + dual diesels with water jets
Exterior Designer: Nauta Yachts
Interior Designer: Christophe Leoni
Guests / Cabins: Guest capacity not disclosed
Crew Capacity: Estimated 60+
Notable Features: Missile defense system, bulletproof suite, column-free salon
Noteworthy Facts: Longest private motor yacht in the world
Azzam remains the pinnacle of luxury maritime achievement, a floating palace whose sleek profile and record-breaking scale turned heads upon its 2013 premiere.
Commissioned by the UAE’s ruling family, the yacht was the result of a four-year collaboration between Lürssen, Nauta Yachts, interior designer Christophe Leoni, and visionary project lead Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi.
Its design brief was precise: build something fast, elegant, and timeless. According to insiders, the original plan aimed for a 145-meter vessel, but as engineering targets evolved, Azzam stretched to 180 meters.
Beyond its engineering feats, Azzam has gathered stories that elevate it beyond size. Its main salon, which is 29 meters long and devoid of supporting pillars, features a chandelier engineered to remain perfectly still even at top speed.
Koru
Koru superyacht by Conmat13, CC BY-SA 4.0
Estimated Value: ~$500 million
Owner: Jeff Bezos
Builder: Oceanco, Netherlands
Year Delivered: 2023
Length: 127 m
Gross Tonnage: ~3,300 GT
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~20 knots top, ~15 knots cruising
Engines & Propulsion: Sailing yacht with hybrid diesel system
Exterior Designer: Dykstra Naval Architects
Interior Designer: Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi
Guests / Cabins: 18 guests in 9 cabins
Crew Capacity: ~36-40
Notable Features: Three masts, pool, cinema, support vessel with helipad
Noteworthy Facts: Used for Bezos's wedding; features eco-friendly sailing design
Commissioned by Jeff Bezos and delivered in April 2023 by Oceanco, Koru quickly gained notoriety not only for its size but for symbolic meaning.
The name itself derives from a Māori word representing renewal and growth, reflecting a new chapter for Bezos with Lauren Sánchez. Adorned with a striking figurehead of Freyja, the Norse goddess of love and fertility, the prow signals both mythic storytelling and personal significance.
The yacht debuted on the social stage during Bezos’s surprise proposal at Cannes in 2023, followed by an engagement celebration hosted aboard decked with celebrities including Oprah, Katy Perry, and Bill Gates.
Beyond symbolism, the stories around Koru read like a saga. Its construction reels in controversy from its Rotterdam origins, where city officials initially considered dismantling a historic bridge to accommodate its towering masts, sparking public backlash before shipping adjustments rendered the plan unnecessary.
The yacht’s role as a stage for opulence reached its peak during the couple’s 2025 Venice wedding festivities, where Koru served as the setting for a foam‑covered pre‑wedding bash, coastline transits between events, and discreet VIP transfers.
With a dedicated support ship, Abeona, supplying helicopter lifts, water toys, and logistics, the yacht reinforced its position as both a vessel and a stage.
Dilbar
Dilbar yacht in Port Hercules by Uhooep, CC BY-SA 4.0
Estimated Value: ~$600-700 million
Owner: Alisher Usmanov (via trust)
Builder: Lürssen, Germany
Year Delivered: 2016
Length: 156 m
Gross Tonnage: ~15,917 GT
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~22.5 knots
Engines & Propulsion: Diesel-electric advanced systems
Exterior Designer: Espen Øino
Interior Designer: Winch Design
Guests / Cabins: Up to 40 guests
Crew Capacity: ~80-84
Notable Features: World’s largest onboard pool, two helipads, spa, gym
Noteworthy Facts: Largest private yacht by gross tonnage at time of launch
Dilbar is frequently described as the queen of superyachts. Its gigantic interior volume and extravagant design affirm its status. Named for the owner’s mother, the 156 m vessel broke records in 2016 as the largest yacht ever built by volume.
The onboard pool, stretching 25 meters and containing some 180 cubic meters of water, earned global headlines as the largest indoor pool ever installed on a private yacht.
Yet it’s more than a feat of scale. Dilbar’s interiors by Winch Design and exterior styling by Espen Øino set a standard of refined luxury rarely equaled. Industry observers called it “one of the most complex and challenging yachts ever built.”
The story took a darker turn with geopolitical drama. In 2022, German authorities seized Dilbar while it was undergoing refurbishment in Hamburg, citing sanctions linked to ties between the nominal owner, Alisher Usmanov’s sister, and the Russian oligarch himself.
The yacht, still valued at hundreds of millions, remains grounded under export control restrictions rather than outright confiscation.
A+ (Formerly Topaz)
A+ berthed at Port of Gibraltar by Moshi Anahory, CC BY-SA 2.0
Estimated Value: ~$450-500 million
Owner: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Builder: Lürssen, Germany
Year Delivered: 2012
Length: 147 m
Gross Tonnage: ~12,532 GT
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~22.9 knots top, ~12 knots cruising
Engines & Propulsion: Wärtsilä diesel-electric
Exterior Designer: Tim Heywood
Interior Designer: Terence Disdale
Guests / Cabins: 52 guests in 26 staterooms
Crew Capacity: ~79
Notable Features: Two helipads, elevator, gym, cinema
Noteworthy Facts: Formerly named Topaz; renamed A+ in 2019
A+ (initially known as Topaz) quickly became a magnet for celebrity spectacle after its 2012 launch. In 2014, Leonardo DiCaprio leased the yacht for his World Cup holiday in Brazil, hosting an 80s-themed bash onboard attended by Jamie Foxx and Orlando Bloom.
Insiders recounted that every guest signed an NDA before boarding, and the yacht was transformed with live DJs, themed décor, and VIP service. The event cemented Topaz as the ultimate venue for ultra‑private celebrity gatherings.
The yacht’s intrigue deepened when it was renamed A+ in 2019, fueling speculation it had quietly changed hands within elite investor circles, possibly exchanged as part of a high-stakes art portfolio deal.
Despite widespread belief that ownership passed from Sheikh Mansour to Saudi royalty, it was never listed for sale, and the name change was likely a branding move to ensure the yacht consistently appeared at the top of international registries.
Rumors suggest a dramatic sailing accident during the 2020 Superyacht Challenge in Antigua, when Topaz collided with another yacht, Svea.
Dubai
The royal yacht by trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0
Estimated Value: ~$300-350 million
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Builder: Platinum Yachts (completion)
Year Delivered: 2006
Length: 162 m
Gross Tonnage: Not widely cited
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~20 knots
Engines & Propulsion: Diesel engines
Exterior Designer: Tim Heywood
Interior Designer: Platinum Yachts
Guests / Cabins: ~24 guests
Crew Capacity: ~115
Notable Features: Mosaic pool, glass staircase, squash court
Noteworthy Facts: Originally commissioned by Brunei royalty
Originally commissioned by Prince Jefri of Brunei in the late 1990s, the Dubai yacht changed hands mid-construction in 2001 and was completed on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2006. At its launch, the vessel was the largest yacht in the world and cost approximately $400 million.
Designed by Andrew Winch with interiors by Platinum Yachts, Dubai’s mosaic-lined pool alone reportedly holds over a hundred people. The vessel’s eastern mooring near the ruler’s private island makes it as much a fixture of local prestige as a seafaring showcase.
Dubai’s allure extends beyond design and engineering. Over the years the yacht has hosted discreet gatherings of global elites and served as a backdrop for diplomatic hospitality. It was intended to be a floating palace, complete with a disco, squash court, cinema, and even a submarine garage.
The yacht’s origins add to its mystique; the cancellation of its original Brunei commission only increased its symbolic weight, transforming it into another emblem of shifting power in the Gulf. Despite its size limiting full-scale evangelism, Dubai remains visible from public vantage points.
Serene
Estimated Value: ~$330 million
Owner: Mohammed bin Salman
Builder: Fincantieri, Italy
Year Delivered: 2011
Length: 134 m
Gross Tonnage: Not widely cited
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~20 knots
Engines & Propulsion: Diesel engines
Exterior Designer: Nuvolari Lenard
Interior Designer: Reymond Langton Design
Guests / Cabins: Up to 24 guests
Crew Capacity: ~62
Notable Features: Underwater lounge, spa, beach club
Noteworthy Facts: Sold to Saudi royal family in 2014
Originally owned by Russian vodka magnate Yuri Shefler, Serene changed hands in 2015 when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly bought her on impulse while vacationing in southern France.
Sources say the purchase was completed within hours, literally a “spot deal”, making headlines around the world.
Among its many extravagant features, Serene includes a pioneering onboard snow room, chilling to -12 °F with real snow falling, a private cinema, seven pools, an underwater-viewing room, a spa, a climbing wall, and outdoor entertainment spaces spanning some 48,000 sq. ft.
In August 2017, Serene ran aground on a coral reef off Sharm El Sheikh in the Red Sea, causing significant damage to her bow. Environmental concerns were raised over coral destruction, and salvage efforts reportedly cost tens of millions, both in repairs and reputational fallout.
The yacht is also said to have hosted Bill Gates in 2014 (who reportedly chartered it for US$5 million per week), and in later years was described as a discreet retreat during times when the Crown Prince needed extra security.
Al Said
Al Said by Qatarperegrine, CC BY 3.0
Estimated Value: ~$600 million
Owner: Sultan of Oman
Builder: Lürssen, Germany
Year Delivered: 2008
Length: 155 m
Gross Tonnage: 15,850 GT
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~22 knots top, ~20 knots cruising
Engines & Propulsion: Twin MTU diesels
Exterior Designer: Espen Øino
Interior Designer: Redman Whiteley Dixon
Guests / Cabins: Up to 70 guests
Crew Capacity: ~174
Notable Features: Concert hall for 50-piece orchestra, cinema, helipad
Noteworthy Facts: One of the largest yachts owned by a head of state
Known during its build as Project Sunflower, Al Said was commissioned by Oman’s Sultan in 2006 and delivered in 2008 by Lürssen.
At launch, it stood as the world’s second-longest yacht: a floating palace designed to reflect sovereign stature. Its onboard concert hall, capable of seating a 50-member orchestra, stands as a testament not just to leisure, but to cultural ambition.
The yacht is part of Oman’s Royal Yacht Squadron and closely guarded; photographs of its interiors are rare, reinforcing the aura of exclusivity and ceremonial prestige.
While Al Said doesn’t regularly grace tabloid headlines, it features prominently in diplomatic symbolism. The yacht serves as Omani royal transport during state visits, hosting foreign dignitaries in motion.
In 2020, the new Sultan of Oman (who succeeded Sultan Qaboos) was photographed boarding Al Said in Muscat, reinforcing continuity of royal tradition.
Speculation has often arisen around attempts to sell it. Online chatter suggests unsuccessful negotiations with other Gulf royal houses, but the yacht remains firmly tied to statecraft rather than personal leisure.
Radiant
Radiant by Thomas Gramm, CC BY-SA 3.0
Estimated Value: ~$320 million
Owner: Abdullah Al Futtaim
Builder: Lürssen, Germany
Year Delivered: 2009
Length: 110 m
Gross Tonnage: Not widely cited
Top Speed / Cruising Speed: ~20 knots
Engines & Propulsion: Diesel system
Exterior Designer: Tim Heywood
Interior Designer: Glen Pushelburg
Guests / Cabins: Up to 20 guests
Crew Capacity: ~44
Notable Features: Anti-pirate water cannons, cinema, helipad
Noteworthy Facts: One of the most security-focused yachts afloat
Ordered originally by Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky as a direct challenge to Roman Abramovich’s Pelorus, the 110-meter Radiant was later acquired by Emirati billionaire Abdulla Al Futtaim during Berezovsky’s financial fallout.
At delivery in 2009, the vessel represented opulence and competitive prestige, featuring design by Tim Heywood and interiors by the discreet yet refined Glen Pushelburg. Since then, it has carried the reputation of being a carefully curated display of elite excess.
The yacht’s story continued on as a high-security haven. Radiant is equipped with dramatic defensive systems that include a military-grade water cannon and sonic deterrents, reportedly powerful enough to deter approaching vessels.
The vessel’s deck-mounted helipad makes it a mobile fortress, backed by beach clubs, cinemas, gyms, and panoramic lounges. In 2024, when it docked in Málaga, the harbor brimmed to capacity.
Trends in Ultra-Luxury Yacht Design
As the industry evolves, sustainability has become a major focus in yacht design. Many shipyards now offer hybrid propulsion systems that combine diesel and electric power to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Yachts powered by hydrogen fuel cells or solar-assisted batteries are also in development, driven by growing pressure on owners to adopt greener practices.
Materials are shifting too, with lightweight composites and responsibly sourced wood replacing heavier, more resource-intensive options. These changes allow new yachts to meet evolving regulations without compromising on luxury.
Size still matters, but it’s no longer the only goal. Designers are rethinking how space is used, taking cues from luxury hospitality. On the other end of the spectrum, expedition yachts have also grown in popularity for purposes of adventure tourism.
The Billionaire Playground at Sea
For royals and industry leaders, a yacht is often built to outlast trends and serve future generations. It becomes part of a broader legacy, standing in for a family’s reputation or a founder’s vision of what lasting influence should look like.
Docked at Cannes or drifting through the Caribbean, these yachts attract the world’s attention. Even at a distance, they hold a certain fascination, offering a glimpse into a world defined by privacy, power, and precision. Would you own one if you could?
