Few things on earth compare to the power, supreme luxury and craftsmanship of a superyacht.
But when does a yacht become a superyacht, we hear you ask? Well, while there’s no set definition, some experts have suggested it’s the point at which a vessel reaches more than 200ft (61m) in length. To put this figure into context, that’s about the width of a standard football pitch.
Superyachts continue to be the ultimate playthings of the rich and famous – a notoriously discerning demographic that always strives for more. That is, more excess, square footage, and over-the-top features than you can shake a stick at.
For decades, naval architects and designers have gone to ever-more extreme lengths to outdo themselves when it comes to creating the world’s best and – crucially – biggest superyachts.
So, what do these feats of engineering look like? Who owns them? How much did they cost to build? We’ve selected the 7 biggest superyachts in the world in 2021 to answer these questions and more. Let’s take a look.
1. REV
Delivered: 2021 (planned)
Length: 600 ft (182.9m)
Yacht builder: Vard
Cost: TBC
Sleeps: 36 guests
At the time of writing, REV – set to be the largest superyacht ever created – is still being built. But we couldn’t leave it out of this list for obvious reasons.
Interestingly, and perhaps a sign of the times, it’s not just a toy that the wealthiest can charter for luxury holidays. Although that will be possible, its main purpose is actually to serve as a vessel for marine science research, hence its full moniker: Research Expedition Vessel.
REV was commissioned by Kjell Inge Røkke, a Norwegian businessman who made his fortune in fisheries. It’s part of Røkke’s wider initiative that seeks to address the major oceanic crises of our time – namely plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change leading to ocean acidification and rising sea levels.
On board, the superyacht features luxury accommodation, but also laboratories and an enormous auditorium in which scientists can share their discoveries. An innovative power generator will burn plastic waste (rather than harmful fossil fuels) to supply energy to the ship while it’s in use.
REV is the perfect example of a thoroughly modern-day design. It looks to provide genuinely productive insight and will hopefully help create a positive future for the world’s oceans.
2. Azzam
Delivered: 2019
Length: 590ft (180m)
Yacht builder: Lurssen
Cost: $605 million (£440 million*)
Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sleeps: 36 guests
From looking at photographs alone, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Azzam is much smaller than it actually is.
The second-largest superyacht in the world is an incredible 590ft – or 180m – in length, a juggernaut by anyone’s standards. But its clean lines and sleek appearance effortlessly defy its grand size. What’s more, the ship is one of the fastest superyachts in the world, with a cruising speed of 33 knots.
What we do know is that the Azzam offers opulent accommodation for 36 guests and 80 crew members and took more than 4,000 people and four years to build. There’s also a multitude of facilities on board, including a gym, swimming pool and golf training room (yes, really). What we don’t know is exactly what it looks like inside, as owner Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – the President of the United Arab Emirates – has always kept the interior design a complete secret. But rumour has it that it contains enough mother of pearl to (not) sink a ship.
3. Fulk Al Salamah
Delivered: 2016
Length: 521ft (164m)
Yacht builder: Mariotti Yachts
Cost: Unknown
Owner: Omani Royal Family
Sleeps: Unknown
The Fulk Al Salamah isn’t technically a ‘superyacht’ as we might expect. Its exterior is relatively practical, and it doesn’t seem to host holidaying guests. In fact, the world’s third-longest superyacht on this list is merely a custom-built support vessel, created to form part of the Omani royal fleet.
The exact use and functions of the ship have always been a mystery – a closely-guarded secret. This secrecy is no surprise when you consider that a notoriously secretive monarchy commissioned this impressive feat of engineering.
4. Eclipse
Delivered: 2010
Length: 533ft (162.5m)
Yacht builder: Blohm + Voss
Cost: $590 million (£429 million*)
Owner: Roman Abramovich
Sleeps: 36 guests
Owned by legend of the superyacht world and owner of Chelsea Football Club, Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, Eclipse is a sight to behold.
Its multi-award-winning design combines the naval architecture of Blohm + Voss with the superstructure design of Terence Disdale. You can find out more about Terence Disdale and his studio’s work in this article.
Eclipse provides unabashed luxury. It boasts nine levels, with helicopters and a garage occupying the top deck. This is followed by a swimming pool and open sundecks on floors eight and seven. The salon – or living area – and huge dining hall sit on the sixth floor, with bedrooms, cabin areas and a nightclub below this.
Guests can enjoy multiple luxurious facilities, including a state-of-the-art gym, beauty salon, and even a spa in every guest room. Add cinema rooms and jacuzzis galore to the mix, and you’ve got a seriously high-spec vessel.
5. Dubai
Delivered: 2006
Length: 532ft (162m)
Yacht builder: Platinum Yachts
Cost: $500 million (£363.5 million*)
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Sleeps: 48 guests
The eponymous superyacht of the ruler of Dubai provides luxurious accommodation for almost 50 guests.
These guests will be spoilt for choice – aside from the huge host suite, there are an additional five VIP suites and six guest suites, all of which open out onto balconies overlooking the ocean.
As you might expect of a superyacht of this size and specification, the Dubai comes with some impressive features to keep guests entertained. We’re talking a helipad, squash court, disco room, and stunning swimming pool atop the bathing deck – with jacuzzis, of course.
The Dubai was designed by London-based studio Winch Design, which also turns its hand to private jets and multi-million-pound properties. And its influence is evident throughout. A breathtaking spiral staircase, for example, is central to the Dubai’s design scheme and has been globally praised for its intricacy.
6. Dilbar
Delivered: 2016
Length: 512ft (157m)
Yacht builder: Lurssen
Cost: $263 million (£191 million*)
Owner: Alisher Usmanov
Sleeps: 36 guests
The sixth longest superyacht in the world is actually the largest in terms of volume. It’s the flagship of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov’s fleet and dwarfs its smaller sibling, Ona – a mere 110m in length.
Like his fellow countryman Abramovich, Usmanov lives in the UK and holds a significant stake in one of the Premier League’s most famous and lucrative clubs, Arsenal. Many also consider Dilbar to be the younger sister of Abramovich’s yacht, Pelorus.
Named after Usmanov’s late mother, Dilbar is often seen cruising around the Mediterranean – much to the delight of awestruck onlookers. Its key features include a bronze-tinted exterior, which seems to shimmer in the sunlight, and one of the biggest swimming pools ever installed onboard a superyacht, at 25m. That’s half the size of an Olympic pool.
And, with two helipads, there’s plenty of opportunity for up to 36 guests to fly in and be treated to the luxurious hospitality of almost 50 crew members.
7. Al Saïd
Delivered: 2008
Length: 512ft (155m)
Yacht builder: Lurssen
Cost: $600 million (£436 million*)
Owner: The Sultan of Oman
Sleeps: 65 guests
As with most superyachts owned by royalty – and especially the royal families of the Middle East - most of the details of Al Saïd are shrouded in secrecy.
Of course, the vessel is enormous. But we also know that it can comfortably sleep around 65 guests across six decks. It’s also said that the superyacht boasts an array of incredible entertaining spaces, such as a huge cinema room and concert hall that can accommodate a 50-piece orchestra. Not too shabby at all.
*Conversion value at the time of writing.
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