Meet Somnio, the ‘shared’ millionaire super yacht with 39 apartments for sale

With prices from 9.5 million euros (u $ s 11.3 million), the sponsors of what will be the the biggest superyacht in the world they offer 39 apartments for sale, counting on a persistent demand for exclusive luxury trips.

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The 220-meter vessel will be launched in 2024 and offer buyers “the privacy of a private yacht as well as the opportunity to network in a vibrant community of like-minded owners,” her promoters said in announcing the Project of 500 million euros (u $ s 596 million).

The luxury ship, named Somnio, 40 meters longer than the current record holder Azzam, owned by the royal family of Abu Dhabi. The project was led by Carl Le Souef, an American millionaire who founded Private Formula International, a skin care company, and now heads Somnio Global, a sustainable technology group.

The cruise ships and the residential boats were forced to a total shutdown in March 2020 after the coronavirus outbreaks on board, they led the port authorities to prohibit mooring or even to leave them in quarantine at sea.

Due to the lengthy negotiations with governments on a restart of the industry – especially in the United States, where the health authorities have established stringent requirements for cruise lines resume operations – on boats they have only recently started to sail on international routes.

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Carnival, The biggest cruise operator of the world, has confirmed that just over half of its fleet’s capacity will leave by the end of its fiscal year in November. At the same time, the company reported a net loss of $ 2 billion for three months until the end of May.

the residential boats have been a feature of the cruise market since 2002, when Norwegian shipping magnate Knut Kloster launched ResidenSea, the first company to build an ocean liner where people have apartments on board as a vacation home.

Tony Peisley, Independent Industry Analyst for cruise ships, said that although ResidenMer originally intended to build 10 ships, only the construction of The world. In 2003, the company had to be refinanced and the owners of shares contributed the funds to ensure its survival. The ship has 165 units and each penthouse sells for around 20 million euros ($ 23.8 million).

“The business model has high investment and operating costs. Other failed start-ups have struggled to find enough buyers willing to pay the required millions up front, ”said Peisley. Another difficulty: many of the super rich prefer to own their own yachts.

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According to BOAT International, the media company specializing in superyats, sales of private yachts reached an all-time high in May with 68 ships sold after regular growth during the pandemic according to affluent consumers were looking for ways to travel despite restrictions on Covid-19.

Departments on board Somnio will cost more than 9.5 million euros, and the owners will collectively decide on an annual itinerary. The yacht will have a wine cellar with a capacity of 10,000 bottles of wine and a beach club. In addition, there will be lectures by scientists who will use the onboard equipment to study marine environments.