Arab royalty and oil sheiks, like most Western elite with a taste for a lavish lifestyle, are fond of adding a megayacht or two as part of their big ticket possessions since they constitute the ultimate status symbol..

A mega or super yacht is defined as a private luxury cruising vessel that is at least 85 feet in length. Some currently being built are surpassing 450ft! At one time a 75ft boat was considered large. Now even 150ft is seen as modest. The cost can run in the tens of millions of dollars, and annual running expenses can add an average of 10-12% of the yacht’s value.

In the megayacht segment, in which quality, reliability, and above all discretion are called for, German and Dutch boatyards and suppliers are usually the most sought after by the most discerning customers. Prominent names in this sector are Feadship, Oceanco, Lurssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Blohm & Voss.

Arab clients normally require speed and luxury at the lowest possible price, since they are known to be tough hagglers despite their wealth. They also seek the facilities equivalent to those of a five-star hotel in a vessel that can move from place to place at very high speeds. For them the yacht serves various functions including prestige, family/personal use, and corporate use.

Along with the Greeks, Arab rulers and princes own a significant number of the top 100 largest and most luxurious of today’s yachts. These floating villas are styled by renowned naval architects and yacht designers – the best money can hire. On average, it takes at least 23 months or so from design concept to launching. Since Arabs prefer privacy and confidentiality and do not care much for sunbathing, their custom-built yachts lack much open deck space, instead they spend most of their time inside their larger interiors.

Their desired cruising grounds are the French Riviera and Balearics in the Spanish region where many of them also own homes. This is where you will usually spot their yachts, especially during the summer months.
Don’t expect these owners to place their yachts on the charter market any time soon as they keep their yachts strictly for private use.

Following are list of some of the largest yachts owned by Arabs:

Dubai, 525ft

Al Said(ex Sunflower), 509ft

Prince Abdul Aziz, 482ft

Al Salamah, 460ft

Al Mirqab, 436ft

Issham Al Baher, 379ft

Lady Moura, 344ft

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