Celebrities consistently create demand in the private yacht market. If a celebrity's net worth is in the high millions or more, they can certainly afford to indulge in luxury superyachts, which can cost well into seven figures or more and have six- to seven-figure annual operating costs.
The main reason that celebrities like yachting is that they can enjoy intimate, low-key trips with friends and family, out of reach of paparazzi cameras. Tiger Woods enjoys personal time aboard his yacht so much that he named the ship Privacy and even sleeps on board when he travels to golf tournaments.
Even if celebrities don't own a yacht, they may charter them, as Rihanna and Beyonce do, for quiet time away from the spotlight. After traveling on a friend's yacht, or chartering one, a celebrity may decide to take the plunge and buy one themselves. That's what happened to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling after she chartered actor Johnny Depp's yacht. The Beckhams decided to get their own vessel after spending summers on the Mediterranean with their good friend Sir Elton John on his yacht Wabi Sabi. Some celebrities, such as Apple founder Steve Jobs, singer Billy Joel or fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, were involved in every step of creating their own customized yacht.
So which celebrity yachts are the most expensive and extravagant? These are some of the top ones, and their current values were adjusted for inflation.
Value: Unknown
Celebrity owner: David Gilmour
Year built: 1911
Where it's currently located: Hampton, London
Bottom line: This 88.5-foot vessel is a houseboat turned into a floating recording studio. Pink Floyd's lead guitarist David Gilmour bought Astoria in 1986 and repurposed it to record albums. In some of Pink Floyd's songs, you can hear the sound of boats and birds from the river.
The vessel was originally commissioned by music hall producer Fred Karno and designed to seat a 90-piece orchestra on the top. Astoria has three main cabins, a central saloon, a kitchen and bathroom. Interesting fact: The vessel has never sailed and is permanently moored on the River Thames.
Value: Unknown
Celebrity owner: Princess Caroline of Monaco
Year built: 1936
Where it's currently located: Monaco
Bottom line: The yacht was originally commissioned by Walter Crooke from British shipbuilders Camper and Nicholsons and named the Arlette II. The 119-foot ship had numerous owners over its first 50 years. Princess Caroline and her late husband, boat racer Stefano Casiraghi, bought the yacht in 1990.
The name was created from the names of the couple's three children, Pierre, Andrea and Charlotte. The Pacha III was restored to the original 1930s design with an oak and mahogany interior, panelled ceilings, brass accents, marine lamps and club chairs. The ship accommodates up to 10 guests and six crew members.
Value: Unknown
Celebrity owner: Jackie Chan
Year built: 2019
Where its currently located: Hong Kong (unconfirmed)
Bottom line: Jackie Chan previously owned a 125-foot motor yacht but recently upgraded. His new ship was built by Chinese shipyard Jinlong. The 152-foot vessel has three decks and a helipad. The ship contains four bedrooms and can accommodate eight guests. The top sundeck has its own bar and also doubles as a casual dining area.
The minimalist interior is done in white, with dark wood accents. Last but not least, the vessel features a movie theater, hot tub, gym, sauna and karaoke room.
Value in 2020: $1.3 million
Current value: $1.37 million
Celebrity owner: Billy Joel
Year built: 2005
Where it's currently located: Long Island, New York (unconfirmed)
Bottom line: Joel worked with Massachusetts boatbuilder Zurn Yacht Design and CH Marine to recreate a classic 1920s New York commuter yacht. These boats once took commuters into New York City, and Joel used his to get from his home on Long Island into the city for concerts.
The Vendetta features air-conditioning, comfortable seating for six passengers, a galley kitchen, Raymarine electronics and state-of-the-art engines. Joel also launched a built-to-order day boat business with Zurn and CH Marine. In 2020, he listed the Vendetta for sale.
Value in 2018: $3 million
Current value: $3.3 million
Celebrity owner: Richard Branson
Year built: 2003
Where it's currently located: British Virgin Islands
Bottom line: Branson bought a 105-foot catamaran yacht in 2009 called the Lady Barbaretta for about $7 million. He renamed the vessel Necker Belle after his resort island in the British Virgin Islands. Branson then had the yacht retrofitted with a minimalist Scandinavian look, featuring a light wood and pastel interior, and added a fourth guest room. The vessel can house up to 10 guests and seven crew members.
The Necker Belle also holds a small submarine for exploring under the sea. Branson sold the Necker Belle in 2018 to an unknown buyer.
Value: $3.6 million
Celebrity owner: Conor McGregor
Year built: 2021
Where it's currently located: Unknown
Bottom line: Italian yacht builder Tecnomar and luxury car manufacturer Lamborghini collaborated on a limited-edition run of 63 speed boats to celebrate Lamborghini's founding in 1963. UFC star Conor McGregor ordered yacht No. 12, in honor of his whiskey company, Proper No. Twelve. He took possession of the 63-foot speed boat in July.
The boat's Lamborghini engines enable it to reach speeds of 60 knots. The vessel can accommodate five people and two crew members. The boat's name is unknown, but Proper Twelve is engraved below the ship's throttle. McGregor also owns three Lamborghini cars.
Value in 2019: $4 million
Current value: $4.3 million
Celebrity owners: David and Victoria Beckham
Year built: 2019
Where it's currently located: Unknown
Bottom line: Former Manchester United soccer star David Beckham and his wife, fashion designer and former pop star Victoria Beckham, had spent time with friends on their yachts, or chartered boats. They finally decided to buy one for themselves, a 94-foot vessel made by SeaFair Yachts, which they call "Sophisticated Lady," possibly a reference to Victoria's Spice Girl days.
The yacht can accommodate up to eight guests and four crew members and features a gym and plenty of both interior and deck space. This may just be the beginning for their yacht club, though - David Beckham was recently spotted in Italy looking at a $14.1 million superyacht.
Value in 2020: $5 million
Current value: $5.3 million
Celebrity owner: Rafael Nadal
Year built: 2020
Where it's currently located: Balearic Islands (unconfirmed)
Bottom line: Since winning his first Grand Slam tennis tournament at 19, Rafael Nadal has become one of the world's top three men's tennis players, alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Nadal recently became the owner of a Sunreef 80 Power catamaran yacht. He chartered several yacht types before buying and settled on the space and smooth ride of a catamaran model.
His new 80-foot vessel features a flybridge, wet bar, a barbecue, and a minimalist grey, coffee and cream interior space. The Great White can accommodate up to eight guests and carries up to three crew members.
Value in 2007: $4.5 million
Current value: $5.9 million
Celebrity owner: Nicole Kidman
Year built: 2007
Where it's currently located: Sydney, Australia
Bottom line: Australian actress Nicole Kidman was born in Hawaii, and Hokulani is her Hawaiian name, meaning "heavenly star." The Hokulani is a 151-foot, champagne-colored yacht built by American company Palmer Johnson. The yacht has three decks, a large sundeck and three dining areas.
The master suite features a private study, his and her bathrooms, a Jacuzzi, a private deck and walk-in closets. Each area of the ship has a fully integrated entertainment system. The minimalist interior has cream and brown tones, with wood accents. The Hokulani can accommodate up to 10 guests and nine crew members.