The awe-inspiring vastness of the oceans has always enthralled people from all over the world, who consequently built great ships in an effort to explore the large expanses of water. Since now we’re basically done with the exploring part, all that’s left to do is to enjoy the sun, the breeze, and the tranquility of the high seas – and there’s no better place to do that from than from aboard a luxurious yacht. Quite a number of excellent ships have been unveiled this year and throughout 2014 we’ve showcased the very best of them. Now it’s time to look back and present what we consider to be the most spectacular of the all.
10. Elada
Elada is a 45-meter semi-displacement yacht created by Turkish shipyard Bilgin Yachts, with interior and exterior design by H2 Yacht Design. While the first striking thing about this ship is definitely her size, scale certainly isn’t the only remarkable thing about her. Elada’s elegant lines are also certain to turn heads, as is the charming contrast between the white and light blue of the ship’s exterior. Speaking of scale, there are no fewer than six cabins inside, which can serve as living quarters for up to 12 guests.
9. Saramour
While many of the yachts you’ll find on this list are impressive, in part, thanks to some eye-catching exterior color, the 61-meter Saramour, designed by Francesco Paszkowski Desing and with naval architecture by CRN, takes a totally different route. This intriguing vessel stands out by not trying to stand out, with a white hull, clean, clear lines, and a minimalistic style giving her a certain understated elegance.
However Saramour is anything but dull. Spacious and luxurious interiors and a large sunbathing area at the stern (which can also serve as a helipad), among other features, make this imposing superyacht a spectacular sight from whichever angle you look at it.
8. Nameless
She might be known as Nameless, but this beautiful yacht is nevertheless very remarkable. The vessel was created by Italian shipmakers Mondo Marine following strict instructions from the future owners, who apparently wanted something similar to one of his cars. The result is a striking ship with a black hull and grey superstructure, which can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests.
In addition to having lots of luxurious amenities, Nameless was designed to minimize noise and vibration levels – making the time spent on board an absolute pleasure.
7. Columbus 40S
One of the most technologically advanced ships we’ve talked about this past year, the Columbus 40S Hybrid 40-meter yacht features excellent design and a cutting-edge propulsion system.
With her silver hull with white superstructure, smooth curves and an axe bow, the yacht looks really spectacular from the outside, with the same elegant vibe carrying over to the interior as well. The eye-catching ship gets her name from the advanced hybrid engine which develops enough power to propelling her forward with speeds of to 23 knots.
6. Zahraa
There aren’t many shipmakers capable of designing and building world-class yachts, but Admiral Tecnomar is certainly one of them. Among the company’s top releases for this year is the stylish 30-meter yacht Zahraa.
This beautiful vessel features and aggressive, sporty design, with sharp lines and an edgy silhouette. Her bronze color (with a red waterline) provides the yacht with an extra bit of personality, making Zahraa an unforgettable sight as she’s cruising the ocean.
5. Grace E
Grace E is a 73-meter superyacht built by Perini Navi Group, the third installment of the Italian shipyard’s Picchiotti Vitruvius series.
The elegant and welcoming interiors designed for the ship by Remi Tassier have actually been awarded the Baccarat trophy for the Best Interior Design at the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show. The exteriors, on the other hand, stretch across five decks, one of them fully devoted to wellness activities, boasting features like a gym and a massage room with steam sauna. All of this, together with things like a Kaleidoscope Movie Library and a concierge desk give Grace E the feel of a real luxury retreat.
4. Mondango 3
Definitely a stand-out on this list of excellent ships, Mondango 3 is a beautiful cruising ketch built by Alloy Yachts in collaboration with Dubois Naval architects and Reymond Langton. The vessel is impressive not only due to the size of her hull – 56.4 meters, well above the average for something of this kind -, but also thanks to her sales, a feature which isn’t exactly common on modern yachts.
Mondango 3 is designed for experienced sailors and is especially suited for long journeys. There’s lots of space available for guests, whether it’s outside (where one can find a spa spool, a large table, and extensive seating), or inside (four guests cabins, plus the owner’s suite).
3. Axioma
At 72.5-meters in length, Axioma can truly be described as a superyacht. Developed under the name Project Red Square, She was the very first vessel launched by Turkish shipyard Dunya Yachts – and if Axioma is any indication, the future looks great for the young company.
This award-winning superyacht is all about grandeur: six sizeable and luxurious suites, four spacious decks, a gym, spa, and steam room – all these excellent facilities make those on board feel like they’re staying at a high-end resort even when surrounded by the seemingly endless expanses of water.
2. Solandge
Created by acclaimed German shipyard Lurssen, Solandge is a veritable floating palace with a classy dark blue hull and lots of amazing interior areas.
Separate teams of designers are responsible for the interior and the exterior, and since this is a massive 85-meter ship, both teams had plenty of space to work with and let their creativity run wild. The result is seven opulent staterooms, a well-equipped gym, a sauna and a massage room, as well as ample accommodation for a crew of almost 30, who are there to ensure everything on this massive superyacht runs smoothly.
1. Cacos V
Italian shipbuilder Admiral Tecnomar is responsible for one of the most beautiful, but also most technically advanced, yachts of 2014 – the Cacos V.
This stunning vessel features a smooth and edgy silhouette, with a distinctive palette of gold hues – making her a definite stand-out while gliding over the water’s surface. What makes the Cacos V really impressive is her state-of-the-art design, which sees noise the noise and vibration levels dramatically reduced (by 25% and 80%, respectively), allowing those on board to enjoy the sea, as well as the ship’s excellent amenities, in peace and quiet.
