kismet yacht canary wharf

• Impressions

KISMET is a majestic and timeless 122-metre superyacht built for a longstanding Lürssen client. Designed by Nuvolari–Lenard, KISMET features sleek and elegant exterior lines and a leaping jaguar bow figure, adding a touch of grandeur to her profile. The sophisticated and refined interiors are by Reymond Langton Design. Key highlights include a 7-star wellness suite, complete with a hammam, sauna and cryotherapy chamber. There is also a private treatment room equipped with a massage table, waterfall shower, and chromotherapy bathtub. KISMET also has a state-of-the-art gym and yoga studio, a Nemo cinema on the lower deck featuring a 150-inch television, and an underwater seating area. KISMET is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and technical systems characteristic of all Lürssen yachts. She features a cutting-edge hybrid powertrain combined with a full-electric mode, positioning KISMET among the world’s most powerful superyachts. KISMET also has a heat recovery system in the generators for pool water heating and dynamic positioning for electronic anchoring in sensitive and remote areas, underscoring Lürssen's commitment to sustainability and safety.

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On board the 95m Lürssen superyacht Kismet

• Superyachts

"My goal was to create a yacht that many years from now will be timeless and yet still be ahead of its time. I wanted to balance awesome with welcoming,” says Shahid Khan, owner of the stunning 95m Lürssen superyacht Kismet...

A new superyacht project presents its designers with the most desirable of blank canvases.

When you get up to the 90-metre-plus mark, it’s more than a mere canvas, it’s a landscape – as empty landscapes go, this is Kentucky in the late 1600s.

But it’s not just a matter of filling the acres of virgin territory with novelties: there’s sometimes a backstory, too, which brings its own constraints.

Kismet has been cruising almost non-stop since launch. All photos: Guillaume Plisson

“The stakes were high,” as exterior designer Espen Øino puts it bluntly about the initial design phase of the Lürssen Kismet .

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He was also the designer of the owner’s previous Kismet (a 68-metre built at Lürssen in 2007, sold by Moran Yacht & Ship in 2013, and now named Global ).

A year after launch the owner realised he wanted something bigger. “The brief was clear: the new yacht had to be superior in all respects,” says Espen.

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Screens can shelter this part of the sundeck. The spiral staircase leads to the observation deck

One’s initial impression is that there are some similarities in the look of the two Kismets – the groupings of vertical windows on the lower deck, and the rising kink from main deck level.

But the size and scale of the latest Kismet draws attention to the differences. There’s the sharper-nose and the distinctive bowsprit, as well as prominent overhangs over the wheelhouse and owner’s deck.

The dark windows stand out, too, and at a distance it is hard to define where the deck supports are, making it appear as if the decks are floating. She is a bigger beast, of course, but she actually looks more of an athlete than her sister.

A sea terrace opens up the lobby and gym spaces

“The client was very much involved in the external design of the yacht.

“The external design appearance as she appears today was penned in Chicago, in his half-finished penthouse near the top of a skyscraper,” says Espen.

“Some elements of the exterior were inspired by the Chicago skyline, such as the stainless steel air inlets aft of the funnels.”

An excellent evening retreat – the main deck cinema room

A particular emphasis from the owner’s side was on Kismet’s potential not just as a family cruising yacht but as a charter yacht and as somewhere that could be used for corporate entertaining.

These aren’t necessarily incompatible drives, but it does sharpen the design focus, and it means that the outside spaces and the inside guest areas have to brook no compromise, with relaxed and sociable areas alongside more intimate and curated spaces – what’s required is nothing less than the best of all possible worlds.

“The floorplan was very carefully laid out,” says Espen. There was, he says, “very valuable input” not only from the owner himself but also his captain Kyle Fultz and purser Geraldine Fultz, and project manager Rob Moran of Moran Yacht & Ship, who have been working for the owner for a long time. The interior design team at Reymond Langton also worked on the previous Kismet .

The first step was something of a back-to-basics approach: we know that guests on charter will favour external areas, but in what ways do they really use them?

“During the design phase of Kismet , considerable time was spent analysing the way guests would want to spend time on deck during a typical week’s cruise,” says Espen. What this research produced was an emphasis on “a number of entertainment and hang-out areas”, he adds.

This part of the sundeck, which can be screened, leads to the pool, with a run-off area if there is resonance

Since launch, the yacht has had a busy couple of years, cruising with her owner and his family, chartering for ten weeks last year, and hosting a number of large-scale parties in Florida and London.

She’s made four crossings of the Atlantic, a run to the Pacific and back, and cruised 40,000 cruising miles. There are 27 crew in all, and Kismet feels like a very happy ship.

The entertainment and hangout areas reach their exemplification in the top decks of the yacht. Espen calls the sundeck Kismet’s pièce-de-résistance, as it demonstrates the overriding theme of guest choice.

There’s an informalish dining table, close to the barbecue, with comfortable bar chairs that make it possible to linger for a meal rather than just pick at finger food. Protective screens make it possible to protect this high-up area vulnerable to sea breezes as the heat of the sun wears off.

A superbly detailed spa area

Forward of this is the huge elliptical pool with a cosier hot-tub forward further still. What you might miss at first glance is that at the after end of the pool is a cascading ‘rock garden’ feature that serves as an overflow from the pool, and integrates with the skylight of the elevator.

It’s an inspired touch that keys the whole of the sundeck’s exterior design together nicely.

AV equipment in the dining area means it can be used for business meetings

The helideck on the bridge deck below transforms into another great guest area, with occasional furniture and sunshades that allow a large group of people to gather, and it can be set up as an outdoor cinema.

There’s a shaded bar area, which transforms in the evening to a disco. The wheelhouse is forward, and in front of this there is a seating area. The whole deck exemplifies the many faces of Kismet – you can gather with a group of friends on the aft deck, or inside around the bar, while if you want to escape with a book, the hanging seats provide some shade and seclusion.

Up top, the observation deck has the best views in the house

Back on the sundeck, the spiral staircase provides an elegant intro to what Espen calls “possibly my favourite spot on the yacht” – a private observation deck and sunbathing area. You can lock yourself away in silent contemplation as you relax on the sunpad.

It’s a remarkable spot that also provides a DJ station during parties. The corporate entertaining face of the yacht is shown with the comprehensive RGB lighting system that can generate sponsor’s colours. Taken together, these three upper decks are a good example of how that “balance between awesome and welcoming” has been achieved.

A deck below on the owner’s deck, full use has been made of Kismet’s vastness, with the outside spaces offering something that continues the option-heavy choices of the decks above. There’s a formal dining table shaded by the overhang from the deck above and more glass screens, and served by a bar and buffet to port and starboard.

On sunny days the screens keep the wind off, but they extend right round the space. Once enclosed, guests can be suitably air-conditioned in what had been dubbed the yacht’s ‘winter garden’, and there’s certainly a relaxed, end-of-day and out-of-office feel to the place. There’s more seating aft.

The bridge deck helipad transforms into a magical hangout space

Forward, the owner has access to a private deck area that offers a hot-tub and sunpads. The owner gets a great view from this private space over the clean expanse of foredeck. With the mooring gear fully enclosed on the main deck below, there was an opportunity to utilise this space in as many ways possible.

It can serve as a demi-basketball court once a hoop is erected (there are court markings on deck) and nets go up to keep the ball inboard. And it also serves as a second touch-and-go helipad. Finally, it can be shaded and tented to create an informal evening dining area.

Right forward at the stainless steel bowsprit there’s a base for the imposing 6ft tall and 15ft long removable sculpture of a jaguar – a reference to one of the owner’s sporting interests, the Jacksonville Jaguars (there are jaguar motifs everywhere on board).

This beast was created on the world’s largest 3D printer in Belgium, and is mostly deployed on match days. The eyes of the jaguar can be lit, which is presumably a feature employed on winning match days. The cat lives alongside the rescue tender when not in use.

The main deck seating aft – a ‘firepit’ feature

The main deck has its own space aft, which serves as a spacious welcoming area with bars either side of a dining table. But the real attraction is aft, often a main deck area that becomes lined with seating inside the guardrails. On Kismet , there are semi-circles of seating either side of a firepit that converts to a coffee table. Once again, Kismet has myriad options for guests.

For the yacht’s interior, Reymond Langton Design’s brief was to answer two needs – to create something that gave a sense of perspective on the new 95-metre vessel, and (as with the exterior spaces) to let the yacht function as a family retreat and an entertainment hub for larger groups.

Once again, the demands aren’t necessarily conflicting, but they need to be managed if they are to be fulfilled successfully. It’s the set-piece spaces of Kismet’s interior that really impress – particularly the architectural drama of the double-height spaces on the main and owner’s deck entertainment spaces.

The bar on the main deck leads to a piano bar

Pascale Reymond calls the overall design philosophy “a rich contemporary interpretation of Art Deco themes”. The bold geometric shapes and vivid contrasts of Art Deco have been successfully used for a generation of modern superyacht interiors.

It’s a flexible form, capable of reinterpretation in a contemporary style, with a modern art vibe that never tends towards abstraction. It works for the small stuff, and the big stuff, too – and it doesn’t get much bigger than the sweeping staircase between the salons on the main and owner’s decks.

If it weren’t for the monster video walls either side, you might have been whisked back for a moment to the first-class lounge of a 1930s liner. The ornately decorated glass walkway with a view down to the main deck is an inspired touch.

Decoish styling and video walls around the main deck piano lounge

There is another staircase too (opposite which is a lift to take you from the main deck to the sundeck), which frames the elegant lobby areas on the main and owner’s decks, but it’s the main staircase that serves as not only a visual feast but as a division point of the different areas.

The staircase rises over a piano bar, with a more formal lounge and bar, and a welcoming lobby, aft of that. Between the main deck foyer and the piano lounge there is a cinema room with overhead projector and semi-circle of seating. The space also doubles as a cigar room and sports bar – a further example of Kismet’s Protean charms.

An owner’s suite inspired by Chanel

Immediately above this space on the owner’s deck is the formal dining area. It makes grand use of the full beam of the yacht, and there is a further lounge aft. The owner benefits from a superbly appointed office to starboard off a centreline corridor.

There is plenty of space to play with and it has been put to good use, with a separate boudoir. Styling in the bedroom is inspired by Coco Chanel, which fits the Decoish vibe nicely, while the centreline gas fireplace adds a reassuringly homely vibe. Pascale Reymond calls the suite a “self-contained retreat at the heart of the yacht”.

Guest cabins on the main deck continue the styling theme

The main-deck guest suites are divided into three twins (that convert to doubles) and two VIPs forward, with the VIPs having more of an Art Nouveau styling theme. On the lower deck, there is an occasional guest cabin, as well as a gym and superb wellness areas for guests, including an ice fountain.

Mosaics and styling details add a touch of Zen and of the mystical east to the yacht, while a sea terrace to starboard opens up the guest space. The spa is one of Kismet’s standout areas, and is proving particularly popular with charter guests.

There are so many places for guests to lose themselves here. Among Kismet’s crew is a masseuse and beautician, a hair stylist (there’s a hair and beauty parlour), and a yoga teacher.

Guests have so many great places to choose from aboard Kismet

“Walt Disney once famously said, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’. When you experience Kismet , you know this to be true. And for that, Lürssen should be extremely proud,” owner Shahid Khan says.

The latest instalment of Kismet’s story with an Atlantic crossing after a summer in Europe that has included a cruise of Norway. Another season of dreaming and doing awaits.

• A version of this story appeared in SuperYacht World Issue 50, July/August 2016

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Behind the Luxury Yachts Moored in Canary Wharf

• January 5, 2023

Take a closer look between the skyscrapers that dominate the Canary Wharf skyline and, at times, you may find a range of super yachts moored there! Occasionally, there are also specialist military boats too.

As Canary Wharf is quite literally built on water — and once the site of the largest docks in the world — it’s no suprise to see boats moored! However, long-term residents will have noticed an uptick in the number of super-yachts docked here over the last year or so.

So, what’s going on? Why is there suddenly an increase in super yachts parked in Canary Wharf?  In this article, we will take a look at the reasons behind this trend, explore some of the most commonly parked yachts in Canary Wharf, and see exactly who owns them!

Why has the number of Super Yachts parked in Canary Wharf increased?

The impact of Brexit has been hotly debated, but it turns out that the UK yachting industry has managed to find a benefit!

One of the effects that both UK and international yacht-owners will have certainly noticed, is in their yacht-related taxes. Super yachts are not cheap, with a widely published rule of thumb being to expect around 10% of the initial boat cost per year in fees.

Having officially left the EU at the end of December 2020, and following new regulations, yacht owners have found it more cost-effective to keep their vessels moored in the UK than other EU countries.

Britain leaving the UK on 31st December 2020 created changes in the fiscal and flag landscape for super yacht owners. Before this, the UK was an EU member; on 1st January as a non-EU country both UK resident including those using the non-domicile regime and other non-EU resident owners could register the yacht under UK flag and then enter the EU under the Temporary Admission rules. Alasdair Milroy, owner of  Breaking The Mould Accountancy  

What does this actually mean?

• Essentially, there are tax advantages to be gained from both mooring yachts outside the EU, and from leaving and then re-entering EU waters.
• This can have additional benefits when this leaving and departing coincides with boat’s re-supply and maintenance.
• This has encouraged an influx of UK and international yacht owners who want to save money by parking their yachts here.

Military boats moored in Canary Wharf

Alongside the increase in yachts, keen-eyed residents will have also noticed there have been numerous military vessels moored in the harbour.

The additional infrastructure required to host military vessels often means temporary closures to the pavements around South Quay, with restricted areas and military checkpoints.

Military boats have occasionally been moored in the docks surrounding Canary Wharf before, typically as a show of Naval partnership , or when conducting joint military exercises with other NATO members in the North Sea. However, — like super yachts — there has been an uptick in military boat activity, which can be attributed to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the UK’s involvement in this situation.

Most Commonly Seen Yachts in Canary Wharf

While South Dock has played host to a surprising variety of boats, there are a few which stand out as being the most commonly seen in Canary Wharf.

The blue yacht in Canary Wharf — PHI

Royal Huisman’s 58.5-metre (192-foot) PHI yacht — or more colloquially known as that blue boat in Canary Wharf — is arguably the most likely SuperYacht you will see moored here!

In fact, the £38m PHI has had a permanent birth near Dollar Bay for almost a year . There is a bit more to this than tax reasons, the yacht has been impounded by the UK government since March 2022, under sanctions placed upon Russian Oligarchs following the war in Ukraine.

Will the blue yacht ever leave south dock? Who knows?

Here Comes The Sun yacht in Canary Wharf

Legendary Dutch shipbuilders Amels built the 83-metre (272-foot) Here Comes The Sun yacht in 2016. Size matters acutely to a billionaire, so a mere six years after construction during a 2021 retrofit, an additional 6 meters were added to the boat. This takes the boat to a huge 89 meters — and since its upgrade Here Comes The Sun has been frequently moored in middle dock.

The yacht has an interesting history. It was originally built for the late British-born, Russian billionaire, Boris Berezovsky in 2016 and with a price tag of €150 million it was one of the most expensive yachts ever made!

Bravo Eugenia yacht in Canary Wharf

Oceanco’s 109-metre (358-foot) yacht, Bravo Eugenia, is another yacht often moored in the harbour. This yacht was built for American billionaire Jerry Jones and is arguably one of the most imposing super yachts moored in Canary Wharf.

Jerry Jones’s yacht includes a two-storey master suite, two hot tubs on the sundeck, a gym, an outdoor cinema and enough space to house 18 guests.

Why Canary Wharf? Aside from the Yacht, Jerry Jones also owns an NFL team — the Dallas Cowboys. As part of the NFL’s international games, the Dallas Cowboys occasionally play at nearby Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, with Jone’s super yacht moored nearby when he is watching them. You might see the yacht, but we doubt you’ll catch the American billionaire on the tube to the game, though!

Kismet yacht in Canary Wharf

Another yacht with that is frequently moored by South Quay in Canary Wharf’s docks is Kismet — one of the world’s most luxurious yachts. Currently owned by American Pakistani billionaire Shahid Khan, the boat is up for sale for a cool €169 million.

Like Bravo Eugenia, this Super-yacht has been frequently seen moored in Canary Wharf when the owner is in town to watch football. This time it is Premier League football, though, with Shahid Khan owning Fulham FC.

The yacht measures in at 308ft (ca. 94 metres) long and is one of the most luxurious yachts in the world. The boat has facilities to outdo even the most luxurious apartments it is parked opposite in Canary Wharf, with a spa and hammam, video walls, cinemas, multiple entertainment areas — and even two helipads!

Reef Chief yacht Canary Wharf

Seen in Millwall Docks multiple times since its 2021 refit, Reef Chief is a 49 m yacht believed to be owned by US Republican Committeeman and CEO of Crown Equipment Corp James Dicke II.

While one of the smaller yachts seen parked in Canary Wharf’s docks, Reef Chief is still a 476 tonne, $25 million dollar boat. With 5 separate cabins and multiple entertaining areas, there is space for 11 guests and 9 crew members.

There you have it — if you thought you had spotted moored yachts moored in Canary Wharf’s docks than normal, you were right! Post Brexit regulations helping to reduce tax for yacht owners, and additional military vessels due to exercises sparked by the war in Ukraine have both contributed to this increase.

However, even pre-brexit, London attracted plenty of yacht owners from around the world. Aside from the numerous high-end hotels, restaurants, and events the city offers, Canary Wharf’s docks are only around 2 miles (3.22 km) from Tower Bridge — arguably one of the most famous bridges in the world.

For billionaires, getting a picture of their prized possession sailing under Tower Bridge is an iconic shot, described by yacht magazine as a rite of passage for any newly refurbished super yacht. So with limited mooring space by Tower Bridge itself , and a growing number of billionaires and super yachts, expect to see plenty more yachts moored in South Quay and the docks surrounding Canary Wharf!

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95m Lürssen superyacht Kismet returns to London

The legendary 95 metre Lürssen superyacht Kismet has returned to London and is currently moored in Canary Wharf against the backdrop of the city. The yacht was last spotted in the capital in October 2021 (pictured and video here) where she stayed for a couple of weeks before making the Atlantic crossing.

According to BOAT Pro AIS  data  Kismet  was in the South of France at the start of September. Since then she has visited the Balearics and Barcelona before heading through the Strait of Gibraltar towards London.

The superyacht, which features exterior design penned by Espen Oino  and interiors by Reymond Langton, is owned by Shahid Khan. Among his assets, Khan also counts two football teams, the Fulham football club in the UK and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the US.

Key features throughout the standout superyacht include five decks, eight guest suites and two helipads. The interior meanwhile is bedecked with surprises, including video walls, an electric piano built into a bar and an art deco chandelier weighing 350kg. The owner’s suite meanwhile includes a fireplace, skylight and 180-degree views.

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Inside Kismet, Lürssen’s 122m superyacht soon to debut at MYS 2024

Lürssen has announced that the 400-foot (122-meter) superyacht KISMET will make her global debut at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. Following her maiden voyage in May 2024, KISMET stands out as one of the most luxurious charter yachts available, instantly recognizable by her unique design. The yacht spans six decks and features an exterior designed by Nuvolari Lenard, highlighted by a distinctive jaguar emblem on the bowsprit.

Cecil Wright, the central charter agent for Kismet, echoed this enthusiasm: “Having sold the previous 95m Kismet (312ft) (now Whisper) before the Monaco Yacht Show last year, we are delighted to work with Lürssen again to introduce the new Kismet, this time as the central agent for charter. She needs to be seen to be believed.”

The interior, crafted by Reymond Langton Design, offers accommodation for up to 12 guests across eight cabins, including a master suite that occupies two decks. Among KISMET’s key features are a two-level entrance area with sweeping video walls and a Nemo cinema on the lower deck, which boasts a 150-inch television and underwater seating.

The yacht also offers a spa and wellness centre accessible via a ‘Tron corridor,’ featuring a Balinese-inspired setup, a gym, and a yoga studio with a juice bar. True to Lürssen’s reputation, KISMET is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a hybrid power system, full-electric mode, a heat recovery system for pool water heating, and dynamic positioning for electronic anchoring.

Peter Lürssen, managing partner of Lürssen, expressed his pride in the new vessel, “Following in the footsteps of an iconic previous yacht is always a challenge, but with our technical expertise and the outstanding design from Nuvolari Lenard for the exterior and Reymond Langton for the interior, the yacht has exceeded all expectations of the client, for whom we have built his third yacht in total.”

The 2024 Monaco Yacht Show, scheduled from September 25-28, will showcase luxury yacht charters in Port Hercule and at anchor. Notable attendees include Lürssen, Heesen, and Amels, among others. The event will also feature the Sustainability and Yacht Design & Innovation Hubs, along with the Adventure Zone.

For further information, visit lurssen.com

Privacy Overview

German shipbuilder Lürssen has just delivered its latest superyacht , Kismet . Leaving the shipyard for the first time on May 7, Kismet was reportedly designed and built for the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and English premier league soccer team Fulham FC, Shahid Khan.

Deriving from Arabic, ‘kismet’ is ‘hypothetical force that determines the course of future events,’ or fate, it’s not the first yacht owned by Khan to bear that name. His ex- Kismet — also built by Lürssen — is a 313-ft superyacht and was sold last year by Cecil Wright. Khan didn’t have to wait too long for his replacement, which, of course, is bigger and better than the old one.

Sitting at 400 ft in length (including the bowsprit), with a 58-ft beam, the new Kismet was designed specifically by Italian firm Nuvolari-Lenard to showcase exceptional volume while not compromising on sleek and elegant lines. On initial viewing, the eyes are immediately drawn to the mast and bow figure which resemble a jaguar, perhaps a not-so-subtle nod to Khan’s football team.

While the ship’s exterior is impressive, it’s only inside that her true grandeur is revealed. Interiors were handled by Reymond Langton Design — a further recurring collaboration for Khan — who focused on designing the ship’s interior to reflect the owner’s “unique lifestyle.”

Shock, awe and opulence are the name of the game here. Kismet features a two-level open-plan entrance area, decked out with sweeping video walls for maximum arrival impact. The lower decks also lay home to a Nemo cinema (Captain or Clownfish is not specified) that includes a 150-in television and an underwater seating area. There is also a spa onboard, humbly referred to as “a luxurious 7-star wellness area,” although the official body that delivered this adjudication remains absent.

As this is a Lürssen yacht, Kismet has been fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and technical systems. A hybrid power train capable of operating in full-electric mode places Kismet among some of the most powerful and energy-efficient superyachts in the world. The ship’s generators are fitted with a heat recovery system that’s used to heat the pool, while a dynamic positioning system can be used to anchor her in sensitive areas.

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“The owner’s brief was challenging,” said Peter Lürßen, CEO of Lürssen “However, we believe that with our technical expertise, we have fulfilled the owner’s wish and vision for a yacht that will still be timeless and ahead of its time for many years to come. Our thanks go to the excellent design and communication with the designers Nuvolari-Lenard and Reymond Langton and the Lürssen project team. Special thanks go to the competent and experienced Owner’s team Kyle and Gerry Fultz.”

Marking the third time Khan has ordered a yacht with Lürssen, Kismet is set to spend her first season in the Mediterranean and can be chartered through Cecil Wright.

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Boat of the Week: How an NFL Owner Turned His Bonkers 312-Foot Superyacht Into a ‘Champagne-and-Caviar Palace’

Jacksonville jaguars owner shahid khan's massive vessel is a post-modern masterpiece of superyacht design., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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“The original intention was to make Kismet the most luxurious charter boat on the water,” Captain Dave Andrews told Robb Report . Nearly 10 years since the yacht was launched, Khan is ready to go bigger. His third custom-built Lürssen weighs 5,500 tons—almost double Kismet ’s weight—and is scheduled to be delivered in November. Kismet is listed for sale with Cecil Wright for a cool $160 million and is currently the largest yacht for sale on the market.

A Champagne-colored chandelier by Crystal Caviar is the most obvious feature of his brief to the designers. The statement light hangs in the central lobby next to a sweeping black-and-gold Art Deco staircase, suspended, of course, over a grand piano. There is a glass elevator in the lobby with access to all decks. The overall feel of the yacht is an ornate gentleman’s club with lavish marble, etched glass flooring, gold-leaf finishes, and backlit onyx.

“We either anchor in Canary Wharf or go to the warship mooring downstream of Tower Bridge as the boss likes the view of the bridge,” says Andrews.

The sports theme continues with two full-height video walls—used to display images of Khan’s football players when hosting business events—that flank the central staircase leading into the double-height main salon and continue across the floor, walls, and ceiling. In the sky lounge, a large sports bar opens out across the bridge deck aft for hosting large groups of people. When the party keeps going, it converts into a disco with a built-in sound system.

On the foredeck is a touch-and-go helipad, though it’s never used. Instead, regular games of basketball are played with temporary netting erected to catch any balls that bounce out of court. “We always have a deckhand standing by on a Waverunner,” says Andrews.

The foredeck serves as the owner’s private deck with a Jacuzzi and is also used for yoga. It leads directly into the master suite with twin en suites, a private office, oval skylight, and one of three bioethanol fireplaces. The other two are in the main salon. When lit, they carry a cooler flame than a naked fire. There is also a foredeck fire pit for keeping guests warm on colder nights, which converts into a cocktail table.

Kismet has seven additional guest suites, sleeping 16 guests in total. This includes two VIPs and a sea cabin on the lower deck amidships for guests who suffer from seasickness. There are also crew quarters for 26.

“The spa was mandated by the owners to be a place they can just chill out in,” says Andrews. It has a hammam, a spa bath, a cold plunge pool, a steam shower and a massage room with an onboard spa therapist. Opening shell doors in the gym allow for workouts by the water’s edge. There is also a separate hair and beauty salon, with a dedicated onboard hairdresser.

In the garage is a full chest of water toys and four tenders. Up top, the sun deck is built for lounging, with a pool and hot tub, sofas, sunpads, and outdoor dining under the hard top.

A crow’s nest platform is dedicated to viewing the ocean or sunning in privacy. It just goes to show that even on a vast, 312-foot yacht, cozy, intimate spaces rule the roost.

Click here to see more images of the mighty Kismet.

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Superyachts spotted in London

Related articles, superyacht directory.

While the United Kingdom may lack the plentiful sun and warm seas of France and Italy, there's evidently still an appeal among owners – with an increasing number of yachts setting a course for its capital city. BOAT takes a look at the latest superyacht sightings in London...

Sold after just three months on the market , the new owners of the 60.9-metre Samadhi decided it would be best to bring her back to her home shipyard Feadship for a thorough – but sensitive – refit. Earlier this week, BOAT International was invited to her mooring in Tower Bridge to see the result. While imagery is undisclosed, her new owners are big fans of colour which has translated into the interiors, particularly the colourful carpets. A unique addition is the aft deck pool, which has gym equipment installed inside, including resistance bands for a more intense swim. The owner's suite has also received a refresh, with a new treatment room in place of the wardrobe complete with an ice bath and massage table.  According to BOATPro , the superyacht has since wound her way up to the Hebrides, an archipelago in Scotland.

Delivered early this year, Iris Blue has arrived in London following six months of cruising the fjords of Norway and the Netherlands. The 55-metre is the first of Heesen 's Steel Class series to sport a revised design by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects (the original designer of the Steel Class series). The result is a more "aggressive" and "masculine" look, thanks to a larger expanse of floor-to-ceiling tinted glass. Other design highlights include the sundeck, which has a bar built around a whirpool Jacuzzi and the owner's suite with its veranda and walk-in wardrobes. Iris Blue has been photographed just in front of the iconic Gherkin tower, which was designed by Lord Foster – the man behind the Yacht Club de Monaco and the 41-metre Ocean Emerald .

With her buttercup-yellow awnings and distinctively brawny exterior, 63.7-metre Scout was spotted brightening up London's waterways this week. The flagship of Dutch yard Royal Hakvoort , Scout is named after the owner and his partner's beloved dog and the mascot that sometimes sits on the bow is a custom-made impression of it. H2 Yacht Design has helmed the interior, and according to our first look inside superyacht Scout , the inside is a wacky and wonderful mix of “what the future was once expected to look like”, with features including an LCD skylight that streams various scenes into the main saloon. Scout is no stranger to Butler's Wharf, having paid a visit to the UK capital last year. 

Scintilla Maris

In April, Scintilla Maris was photographed departing from Damen Maaskant 's shipyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The 45.6-metre converted fishing trawler then completed her maiden voyage to London and was docked in Canary Wharf, according to BOATPro . Scintilla Maris ' ambitious refit project has earned her a nomination at this year's World Superyacht Awards in the 'Rebuilt Yacht' category. Works included reducing the yacht's 570GT to below the 500GT threshold and the installation of eclectic, loft-like interiors by Dutch studio Vripack .

The 49.7-metre Triton was seen moored near Tower Bridge in April 2024. She was launched and designed by Delta Marine in 2004 and was the largest composite yacht built in the United States at the time. Triton is best suited to worldwide cruising, deep-sea fishing and exotic reef diving, with an underwater camera in the bow and a lighting rig at the stern that "provides guests front-row seats for observing the ocean’s mysteries". A sonar and bottom-mapping system by Simrad can also photograph and 3D map the bottom of the ocean, easily locating any nearby wreckage. Interior highlights include a full-width master cabin with a sitting room, library, office and his and hers bathroom.

Bravo Eugenia

Oceanco 's 109-metre Bravo Eugenia has visited the Big Smoke many times, showing off a chiselled Nuvolari Lenard exterior and dazzling underwater light display. A sharp plumb bow and extended waterline make her one of the distinctive superyachts on the water, and she certainly cuts an elegant profile whenever she arrives in London. With her hybrid propulsion engine, she offers a quiet electric mode which allows her to consume 30 per cent less fuel than other motor yachts in her size class, making her one of the more eco-friendly yachts in the world . She was most recently sighted in November 2023 at Butler's Wharf Pier, Tower Bridge.

The 90-metre expedition yacht has been spotted anchored in front of Tower Bridge following delivery from Lürssen 's yard in Germany. Launched in February 2023, Norn has since travelled across the Baltic and North Sea, including a skirt around Sweden’s Skåne County and a brief stop in the port of Helsingborg on the 9 of June, according to BOATPro . Key features include an outdoor cinema and changeable-depth pool floor with dance floor illumination.

Prior to arriving in Canary Wharf, the 56-metre Benetti build enjoyed a cruising expedition in the cruising grounds from where she gets her name. Australia ’s Stefano Ricci lines and navy hull attracted plenty of attention along the Gold Coast, and the 2012 build has an equally impressive interior with three individual dining saloons. She was launched as Ulysses and later became known as Bash , and was formerly owned by two serial yacht owners.

Fresh from an Atlantic crossing that began in early May and a stop-off in Portsmouth, the 54.3-metre Amels yacht Revelry was spotted docked in Canary Wharf. The yacht has a textbook Tim Heywood exterior and interiors by Laura Sessa , as part of the Dutch yard's Limited Editions 177 series. She was launched as 4You in 2012 and changed ownership in 2021.

The 110-metre Kaos (ex Jubilee ) is the largest yacht to pay a visit to London in recent years. She cruised up the Thames in May 2023, stopping in front of Butler's Wharf and Tower Bridge to show off her unique blue exterior penned by Lobanov Design . The multi-award-winning yacht has a stellar range of onboard amenities, including an 8.5-metre pool, aquarium and a multitude of custom-designed pieces not found on any other yacht. At the time of her last sale in 2018, she was one of the largest sales in yachting history. 

The third unit in Benetti 's highly popular Oasis 40M series, named Phoenix , has spent a significant amount of time cruising the coastline of Great Britain. Since her delivery in 2021, she has paid visits to Southampton and Ireland as well as to Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge. Key features include the signature Oasis deck, which boasts a glass-fronted dipping pool and unfolding bulwarks. The design of this model was so popular it inspired a smaller 34 metre series, with Zlatan Ibrahimović buying the first unit .

The 49.1-metre Reef Chief was spotted docked in the heart of Canary Wharf in 2022. The yacht was delivered by American yard Trinity in 2009 and has been designed with entertainment at its core. She is crowned by a large sundeck with an exterior bar, shaded dining area and TV screen, along with a Jacuzzi. Ten guests can be accommodated in five cabins, which are styled in classic polished wood and cream tones.

The 33.7-metre Van der Valk superyacht Blue Jeans made her maiden voyage to London after departing the shipyard in the Netherlands. Her cool blue hull added a touch of brightness to a dreary London day, and she spent her time cruising up and down the river showing off her custom Guido De Groot exterior. The all-aluminium yacht is one of the builder's most complex undertakings to date and is home to a foredeck "chillout lounge" with sun pads tucked into the bow, a U-shaped sofa and a dining table that pops up from the deck.

Fresh from a comprehensive refit and extension, the 44-metre motor yacht Brazil paid a visit to the River Thames in December 2022. The yacht was spotted moored outside St Katharine Docks Marina enjoying some winter sunshine in front of Tower Bridge. She was originally delivered by Heesen in 1993 and was relaunched in October following an extensive refit courtesy of a collaboration between three Dutch firms – Snijders Yachts, Zwijnenburg and Dutchflows. Work was primarily focused around the stern area, where the yacht was given a new beach club. The yacht is listed for sale with IYC .

Slipstream was delivered in 2009 as one of two 60-metre models from French shipyard CMN , Both exterior and interior were curated by Winch Design and the British studio has given her a smart navy hull with a distinctive grey superstructure. She features generous living and entertainment areas with an outdoor cinema on the sundeck and a hand-carved 4.5-metre totem pole at the centrepiece of a feature staircase. Owned by Canadian businessman Jack Cowin, Slipstream is currently available for charter by Burgess .

Having recently completed a cross-planet navigation that included Norway, the Maldives and Australia, 62-metre Stardust was spotted cruising up the Thames and into Canary Wharf in July 2022. The Amels build was handed over to her owners in 2020, and is the first and only hull in the Dutch yard's Limited Editions 206 series. Interior design comes from Laura Sessa, while Tim Heywood is responsible for the yacht's distinctive exterior, which is characterised by long lines of circular portholes and a cut-out segment in the hull line. 

The 75.6-metre Boardwalk is one of the newer deliveries from prestigious Dutch shipbuilder Feadship , and she caused a big buzz when she moored up on the Thames against the backdrop of Tower Bridge. Her aft deck helipad, generous beach club and huge TV screens were on full display to lucky onlookers who were able to catch a glimpse of her. 

Delivered in 2010 from Lürssen, 60-metre Bella Vita paid a brief visit to London, where she was seen along Butler's Wharf, just in front of Tower Bridge. Launched under the name Katie Sue II , the yacht became one of the top 50 most expensive yachts for sale in the world prior to her sale in January 2021. No doubt her new owner is enjoying her Glade Johnson interior and well-equipped sundeck. 

The 55.5-metre Moon Sand made waves when she cruised up the Thames shortly after her delivery from Lürssen . The yacht has a number of innovative features on deck, including a recessed pool that can be drained and raised flush with the deck when not in use. The yacht's crisp profile and clean, soothing interiors are by legendary yacht design studio Bannenberg & Rowell . 

With her sky-blue hull and buttercup yellow exterior accents, the Abeking & Rasmussen -built 98 metre motor Aviva added some colour to the city when she visited. The yacht is home to an onboard paddel tennis court - the first of its kind ever installed - which had to be carefully engineered in order to create the correct level of bounce. 

Heesen's largest steel superyacht to date was spotted in London displaying her new name Lusine . The yacht hit the water in 2021 sporting a masculine exterior courtesy of Omega Architects and an interior by Sinot Yacht and Architecture Design . A glass elevator lies at the heart of the design while a touch-and-go helipad forward allows guests to come and go in complete privacy.

With her "champagne and caviar" interiors and two-deck video walls in the lobby, 95-metre Kismet is all about the wow factor. Her interiors are by Reymond Langton, while her exteriors are the work of Espen Øino and she features an impressive jaguar statue on the bowsprit. She marks one of the most expensive yachts for charter in the world , asking a cool €1,200,000 for one week.

Motor Yacht A

One of the most recognisable yachts in the world, Motor Yacht A is sure to have drawn the crowds in the UK capital with her unconventional design. The 119-metre Blohm + Voss was commissioned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. Following the Ukraine war, the superyacht was moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where it remains to this day, according to BOATPro .

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