nabila yacht interni

DriveMag Boats

Your ultimate resource for anything ship-related

The story of Donald Trump’s superyacht: The Trump Princess

Donald Trump loves a good deal

In 1988, the successful businessman Donald Trump bought the 86m Benetti build superyacht Nabila . He renamed her Trump Princess and used it until 1991.

For a superyacht built in 1980, Nabila was an impressive vessel. She was built for Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi that paid $100 million for it and named after his daughter. Khashoggi is known for his involvement in arms dealing. His net worth was around $4 billion in the early 1980's.

When Khashoggi ran into financial trouble in the mid-1980's he took a loan of $50 million and put Nabila as collateral. He defaulted on the loan in 1987 and a Swiss holding company took possession of the yacht. It was placed with yacht specialist Burgess for a quick sale at an asking price of $50 million.

Learning that Nabila is for sale, Trump made a bid. Burgess had already two other offers, but Trump's bid was more appealing. A Burgess agent flew to New York and made Trump a proposal for $32 million. The sale was settled at $30 million. A bargain, for a yacht he never set foot on.

Trump refitted the vessel and named it Trump Princess .

Why did Trump buy the yacht? He does not like water sports, he's not keen on swimming and always tried to avoid the sun. He never owned a big boat before. He doesn't even like boats.

He was charmed by a "certain level of quality" and admitted that it's an incredible toy and a work of art. "I was buying a great piece of art at a ridiculously low price."

Unlike Trump, Khashoggi loved boats. He acquired his first yacht when his was 18 and traded up as his wealth increased.

In the 70's he owned two yachts but wanted something out of this world. So, he commissioned British designer Jon Bannenberg to draw the most impressive and sumptuous yacht.

Khashoggi didn't stop here he employed Italian designer Luigi Sturchio to produce an interior that is believed to have cost more than the yacht itself.

Also, he wanted the ship to be completely self-contained and included everything in the specifications: from a patisserie and a hair salon to a cinema room with an 800-film library and a hospital with an operating room.

Nabila had crew quarters for a staff of 52 people. It had a helicopter landing pad and two nine meter tenders. The fuel tanks were big enough for 8,500 nautical miles when cruising at 17.5 knots. It had three water-makers capable to produce 45.000 liters of fresh water from the ocean. Also, it had six huge refrigerators that could store a three-month supply of food for 100 people.

For Khashoggi and later for Trump, this vessel was an invaluable business instrument. Movie stars, political leaders and diplomats were invited on board. It is believed the yacht had 150 telephones and satellite communications in order for business sales to be arranged.

The yacht has five decks and more than 100 separate areas. The owner's suite is a full-beam area with a three meter wide bed. It has a dressing room and an impressive bathroom with onyx tiles. Next to the bedroom, there is a television room, a large sitting area and a private elevator that takes the owner to his private sundeck. The yacht has another two elevators on board, one for guests, one for crew.

Trump spent another $8.5 million for refitting the yacht at Amels in the Netherlands. Renamed Trump Princess , she set sail from the Azores to arrive in New York on July 4, 1988, in time for a huge party Trump threw on the yacht.

Like the previous owner, Trump used the yacht mostly for business. But not for long. In 1991, Trump sold the ship to Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal for $20 million. The Prince renamed the yacht Kingdom 5KR , the name under she still sails today.

For more about Donald Trump's Joy Rides click here .

New Boats Azimut Yachts Benetti Yachts Elan Yachts Sea Water RIBs Pre-owned & Demo Boats Stock & demonstration boats Pre-owned Motor Boats Pre-owned Sailing Boats Superyachts Services News About Contact

The Legendary Nabila   Yacht

The Nabila yacht was built at Benetti's shipyards in Viareggio and delivered in 1980. Measuring 281 feet and featuring 11 suites, a cinema and helipad, she was one of the world's largest yachts at the time and without doubt the most opulent. In 1983 the Nabila played an important role in the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again ; a few years later she was seized by the Sultan of Brunei and sold to Donald Trump.

She was bought by her current owner, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, in 1991. The photo below shows her berthed at Antibes, France.

Adnan Khashoggi

The Nabila was commissioned in 1978 by billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Named after Khashoggi's daughter, she was built at Benetti's shipyards in Viareggio and delivered in July 1980. Interior design was managed by Luigi Sturchio; the exterior was designed by English-Australian yacht designer Jon Bannenberg . The yacht was powered by twin Nohap Polar engines, giving her a cruising speed of 17 knots and a top speed of 20 knots.

The Nabila soon became known the world over for her sumptuous interiors, opulent suites and ostentatious luxury. The yacht spanned 5 five decks and featured every conceivable amenity. The 11 suites were paneled with chamois leather and bird's-eye maple; bathrooms were decked out in gold and onyx. Khashoggi's suite not only had its own saloon, office and sauna, it also had an elevator that went up to a private sun lounge.

The main saloon featured a waterfall, bronze bar, and grand piano gifted to Khashoggi's wife by Liberace. Other amenities included a 12-seat cinema, a disco, and a medical clinic with its own operating theatre. No one really knows how much the yacht cost to build, though some estimates give $35 million for the exterior and $50 million for the interiors.

It's a spectacle, a statement of astronomic wealth, a massive piece of equipment designed to arouse envy in those who behold it.

New York Magazine, 1988

The Nabila had a major impact on the global yachting scene and changed the industry in two significant ways. First, her flamboyant Saudi Arabian owner inspired other Middle Eastern businessmen to commission luxury yachts of their own. The trend began in the early 1980s and continues to this day. Second, her innovative design and extravagant interiors opened eyes to what could truly be achieved if money were no object.

The Nabila yacht had 11 suites, all named after precious stones or metals. The bedroom shown here is the Ruby Suite. The other photo shows part of the main saloon, with the bronze bar visible on the left.

Khashoggi and Benetti: Financial Ruin

Adnan Khashoggi often claimed to be the world's richest man and at times spent up to $250,000 a day to support his lifestyle. He started experiencing cash flow problems in the early 1980s, however, and towards the end of the decade the debt bubble burst. First to go was his private DC-8. The jet was grounded in 1986 when he defaulted on a $15 million loan. Following that, he defaulted on a $50 million loan issued by a Swiss bank and guaranteed by the Sultan of Brunei. The loan had been used to finance the construction of the Nabila .

The Sultan settled the loan himself, seized control of the Nabila and promptly put the yacht on the market. A handful of potential buyers took interest – one of whom was a New York real estate developer named Donald Trump.

The Nabila also took its toll on Benetti. The shipyard had seriously undervalued the costs of constructing the yacht and was hit hard by a series of penalty clauses added to the contract by Khashoggi's negotiators. The contract was overtly biased in Khashoggi's favor, and even allowed him to request changes during the final construction stages. Ultimately the yacht was built at a loss, and by 1985 Benetti was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.

A young Italian named Paolo Vitelli stepped in. Sixteen years earlier Paolo had founded Azimut Yachts and built the company into a global brand. In a bid to rescue Benetti and take control of their Viagreggio shipyards, he invested every cent he had to bail out the ailing giant. It was a huge risk, but one that paid off. The new company became known as the Azimut Benetti Group and the rest, as they say, is history.

On the subject of history, remember Sean Connery's role in the James Bond movie, Never Say Never again ? The Nabila yacht is shown at bottom right.

The Trump Princess

The Sultan of Brunei's broker put the Nabila up for sale in 1987 with an asking price of $50 million. Donald Trump offered $15 million, the broker dropped to 32, Trump countered with 28, they settled on 30. A further million was taken off when Trump agreed not to keep the name Nabila and rename the yacht as he saw fit. Until this deal took place, the highest price paid for a secondhand yacht was $16 million.

Trump had actually had his eyes on the Nabila for quite a while. He'd been expanding his casino empire in Atlantic City and realized the Nabila could function both as a business tool and tourist attraction.

While I was building Farley Marina I was trying to get the boat because I knew she would blow everybody's mind.

Donald Trump

Trump renamed the yacht Trump Princess and spent $8.5 million having her refitted. The hull was repainted, the engines rebuilt and more than 3500 yards of chamois leather stripped out and replaced. As a finishing touch, the letter H on the helipad was swapped for a T. When done, the yacht set sail for America and cruised into New York on July 4 1988.

In April 1990 Trump opened his third gambling resort in Atlantic City, the $1 billion Taj Mahal. It was New Jersey's tallest building and the world's largest casino. But to survive it needed to take more than $1 million per day just to service its loans, and the market simply wasn't there. Trump's lenders intervened. They insisted he restructure his organization and sell the Trump Princess . Once again, Adnan Khashoggi's superyacht was up for sale.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal

Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bought the yacht in 1991 for $19 million. One of the world's richest men, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is founder, CEO and majority stock owner of the Kingdom Holding Company, a company with global interests that include financial services, media, agriculture and real estate. After taking possession of the Trump Princess , Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal renamed the yacht Kingdom 5KR , where 5 represents his lucky number and the letters K and R are the initials of his children. Since the acquisition, Kingdom 5KR is almost permanently berthed at Antibes in the south of France, though from time to time she ventures out to nearby Cannes and Monte Carlo.

The Kingdom 5KR is shown below. The exhaust funnels have been a distinctive feature of this yacht ever since she was launched. They are angled outwards to accommodate the helicopter.

Pinnacle Marine New Zealand

Pinnacle Marine has years of practical experience dealing with luxury yachts and is supported by a network of contacts throughout the industry. If you would like more information about the Azimut Benetti Group, or anything else connected with luxury yachts, please get in touch.

Buettner, Russ; Bagli, Charles V. (2016), How Donald Trump Bankrupted His Atlantic City Casinos, but Still Earned Millions , New York Times

Kessler, Ronald (1986), The Richest Man in the World: The Story of Adnan Khashoggi , Hachette Book Group , ISBN: 978-1-5387-6254-7

Rempel, William C. (1987), Latest Financial Setback for Billionaire Saudi Arms Dealer: Sultan of Brunei Seizes Khashoggi Yacht , LA Times

Taylor, John (1988), Trump's Newest Toy , New York Magazine , 20-26, ISSN: 0028-7369

Related Articles

Azipull Carbon: the Propulsion System of the Future

4 July 2021

The result of a collaboration between Benetti and Rolls-Royce, the Azipull propulsion system is considered the best on the market.

J.P. Morgan's Corsair IV

15 July 2021

We take a look at J.P. Morgan's famous superyacht and her brief, post-war history as a successful cruise liner.

How can we help?

Please enter your full name

Please enter a valid email

Please enter a valid phone number

Please enter a message

Send Enquiry

Thanks. Your message has been sent. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Looking for information or advice? Ask us anything

We'll reply ASAP

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

KINGDOM 5KR

KINGDOM 5KR is a 85.9 m Motor Yacht, built in Italy by Benetti and delivered in 1980.

Her top speed is 20.0 kn and she boasts a maximum range of 8500.0 nm when navigating at cruising speed, with power coming from two Nohab Polar diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 22 guests in 11 staterooms, with 31 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 1768.0 GT and a 13.23 m beam.

She was designed by Jon Bannenberg Ltd. , who has designed 40 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database.

The naval architecture was developed by Benetti , who has architected 384 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database, and the interior of the yacht was designed by Luigi Sturchio , who has 11 other superyacht interiors designed in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

KINGDOM 5KR is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 66 motor yachts in the 80-90m size range, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 2.06 kn above the average, and her top speed 1.64 kn above the average.

KINGDOM 5KR is currently sailing under the Saudi Arabia flag (along with a total of other 13 yachts). She is currently located at the superyacht marina Portosole, in Italy, where she has been located for 1 month. For more information regarding KINGDOM 5KR's movements, find out more about BOATPro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: KINGDOM 5KR
• Previous Names: NABILA,TRUMP PRINCESS,KINGDOM
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement
• Builder: Benetti
• Naval Architect: Benetti
• Exterior Designer: Jon Bannenberg Ltd.
• Interior Designer: Luigi Sturchio
• Refits: 1993

Yacht featured in

Yachts like this, from our partners, sponsored listings.

• Yachts for sale
• Yachts for charter
• Brokerage News

• Serial yacht owners: Trump princess
• Yacht Harbour

Latest News

• Les mondes du luxe

The megayachts return to sea

By Bettina Bush Mignanego 01 septembre 2020

In this strange summer, as spectacular megayachts crossed the seas, news broke that the Cannes Yachting Festival 2020, the nautical rendezvous scheduled to take place from September 8-21, had been cancelled. And yet, optimism still seems to be on the wind in the Italian shipyards that are leaders in the larger yacht segment – an optimism the bosses of Fincantieri and Azimut-Benetti explain in this exclusive to Luxury Tribune.

It's no coincidence that the first real megayacht in history was built in Viareggio, Italy in the 1970s. Commissioned by Saudi business magnate Adnan Khashoggi, the Nabila – named after Khashoggi’s daughter – was christened in 1979, and was long seen as an exercise in eccentric folly. Designed by Joan Bannenberg, and with interiors that were unmistakably Luigi Sturchio, Italian interior designer specializing in luxury yachts, the Nabila was 86 meters long with five decks, 22 cabins, a medical center with an operating room, a movie theatre, a disco, two kitchens, a pastry shop and 52 crew members. More importantly, though, the megayacht was Khashoggi’s trump card, cementing his place in the international jet-set, eventually celebrated in a song by Queen and featured in the James Bond movie “Never Say Never Again”. But the Nabila 's story did not end with Khashoggi. In 1989, she was bought by Donald Trump and renamed the Trump Princess . She eventually made her way into the hands of Saudi prince Al-Waleed and currently sails as the Kingdom 5KR . Meanwhile, the Benetti shipyard where she was built was bought by Azimut and is now known as Azimut-Benetti. According to the Global Order Book, she is still the yacht that any yacht over 24 meters has to measure up to, according to leading shipbuilders.  

12% growth over the past five years

It’s been forty years since the Nabila ’s maiden voyage and the Italian shipbuilding industry continues to dominate the international megayacht market, with no less than 268 boats under construction in 2019 out of a total of 621 worldwide. According to UCINA Confindustria Nautica's data on the megayacht sector, in 2018 the sector grew by 78.5% compared to 2010. The luxury yacht segment, comprising the high-end yachts and superyachts, is an 8.5 billion-euro market and has increased by around 12% in the last five years - a significant record, and one that can stand up to the results of any of the other Made in Italy luxury sectors. Looking at the biggest boats specifically, Italy has also produced two superyachts that now rank among the longest 20 in the world, both built by Fincantieri, Europe's largest maritime group, with revenues of 5.8 billion euros in 2019.  

But how do we explain the relatively good health of the megayacht sector in these turbulent times? Giovanna Vitelli, Vice President of Azimut-Benetti, told us how she sees it. “For 21 years we have been at the top of the world rankings for the production of yachts over 24 meters in length. And the market is flourishing even this year, despite the grim international situation. Our main concern in the first months of 2020 was to be able to guarantee the delivery of the yachts. We organized work into three shifts in all shipyards, and the fact that we were able to work in the water and outdoors allowed us to comply with the required hygiene measures. The orders we have received in the last few months have confirmed the great interest in investing in important yachts, probably because they are considered a safe place during the pandemic, and certainly also because of the desire to invest in a beautiful object. In the United States, our largest market, we have seen an increase in sales that has been double that of 2019. This year in Cannes we were scheduled to present the Magellano, a 25-meter yacht designed by Vincenzo De Cotiis and conceived for extended journeys in the name of absolute pleasure, with a charming look that I would define as soothing, perfect to enjoy the beauty of the sea.”

It’s a philosophy that is markedly different from the days of the Nabila , which has withstood the test of time and is still regarded today as the ultimate contemporary yacht. But not everyone knows that Khashoggi was not easy to please and even then, heading into the heady days of the 80s, he was already looking forward to the Nabila II , then still in the design stage and fated to never leave the drafting table. The contract was to be awarded to the best proposal among the four most popular designers of the time: Bannenberg, Gilgenast, Paolo Caliari and Alberto Mercati. It was Mercati who brought home the prize. “What fascinated me at the time was having to think about the world’s largest boat,” he recalls. “That’s why I went back to the concept of German cruisers from the Second World War, and racing boats like the Penguin . She was to be innovative on all levels: the upper part of the yacht would slide, the indoor pool would be expandable, the foredeck was cobra-shaped... Khashoggi was enthusiastic, but then he was arrested and nothing ever came of it. It would have cost 75 billion lira, but I didn't even get paid for the project proposal.” And so the dream of a 120-meter successor to the Nabila remained unfulfilled.

Besides the boats that sprung from Khashoggi’s dreams and sailed from the Azimut-Benetti shipyard, quite a few more of the largest superyachts sailing the seas today were also built in Italy. Daniele Fanara, senior vice president of Fincantieri Yachts, talks about these giants. “The Fincantieri Group set up Fincantieri Yachts to cater to this particular segment,” he says. “To date we have built two of the world's most prestigious megayachts: the Serene , 134 meters long, delivered in 2011, the 15th largest yacht in the world; and the Ocean Victory , 140 meters long, the 11th largest, delivered in 2014. And we are currently working on several other projects.” When asked about the latest craze for superyachts, Daniele Fanara is coy. “I can only talk in very general terms, but you can have a helicopter hangar that disappears below the deck of the ship, swimming pools that turn into dance floors, an open-air cinema, as well as indoor and outdoor waterfalls, revolving lounges, wellness areas with snow rooms.” Some of these features can be found on the Serene , the Fincantieri yacht owned by Saudi Prince Bin Salaman on which, according to Artnet, he recently exhibited Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, the masterpiece that sold for the record price of $450 million. A jewel aboard another jewel... But this is another story – a story about dreams, flights of fancy and the race for the pinnacle of luxury.         

Partager l'article

Continuez votre lecture

S'inscrire

Soyez prévenu·e des dernières publications et analyses.

Conçu par Antistatique

Serial yacht owners: Trump princess

Donald Trump has just stunned the world by becoming President-Elect of the United States. The American billionaire’s impact on the yachting industry traces back to the late 1980s with him commissioning the world’s largest yacht and buying a shipyard.

Here is the list of yachts that Donald Trump owned, according to Yachtharbour .

The 86-meter Nabila was delivered in 1980 by Benetti to Saudi businessman and arms dealer, Adnan Khashoggi as the 8th largest yacht in the world. In 1983, the megayacht appeared in the James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again .

When Khashoggi however ran into financial problems himself, the Sultan of Brunei took possession of the boat to cover one of Khashoggi’s loans. The Sultan quickly flipped it to Donald Trump for a reported $29 million in 1987. In 1988, Trump said he got a $1 million discount for renaming the boat and not calling it Nabila , the name of Khashoggi’s daughter.

After acquiring the Nabila , Trump renamed the yacht to Trump Princess and had it refitted by Holland-based, Amels for near $10 million according to the LA Times . The H on the helipad was also replaced by a T to stand for Trump.

In June 1989, Donald Trump announced that he would build a larger yacht, “something in excess of 400 feet long, closer to 500 feet” as he told Newsday and that he was accepting bids from yacht builders for this project. Amels , then owned by a group of 4 British investors, secured the deal to develop the 128-meter Trump Princess II according to NRC.

In May 1990, it was announced that Trump bought Amels all together. At a press conference in Makkum in 1990, Jeff Walker, VP of Trump’s investment empire, denied that the shipyard was sold due to the previous owner’s financial difficulties, which some have said, resulted from Trump canceling the construction of the Trump Princess II .

In September 1990, two months after the acquisition, Trump sold Amels to American businessman, Peter Kutell according to Deseret News due to financial problems. At the same time the Trump Princess was put up for sale and all work on the Trump Princess II stopped. In 1991, the Trump Princess was sold to Prince Al-Waleed for $19 million who renamed the yacht to Kingdom 5KR .

The superstructure for Trump Princess II allegedly remained at the Amels Makkum facility until summer 2001 when it was eventually removed. According to sources familiar with the matter, the superstructure is still parked at the Makkum facility, now owned by Feadship De Vries.

Government Amends Monaco’s Law about Emergency Plans

Ferrari’s rollercoaster dutch weekend: charles leclerc finds the silver lining, 19th palermo-montecarlo: record broken after nine-year wait, condamine market facelift: fresh produce, fresh organization, same unique charm, monaco’s regal homage to princess grace’s irish legacy and other monaco news, sbm achieves “exceptional economic performance” over 2023/2024 financial year, stamps, stories, and shamrocks: monaco’s regal homage to princess grace’s irish legacy, dressing to impress at monte carlo casino: top fashion tips for high rollers, world record swim from calvi to monaco to be attempted by noam yaron, small country, big impression: top five games set in monaco.

Billionaires are getting ready for summer with wildly spectacular superyachts

• Superyachts, the most expensive asset  a billionaire can own, are pushing the boundaries of luxury.
• The boats, which cost eight or nine figures, are getting larger and include more features than ever.
• From massage rooms to basketball courts, here's what the world's richest want on board.

For many wealthy boat owners, a private spa is a must-have on board. A sauna is a nice touch. A Jet Ski or two makes days at sea way more fun. And if you don't have someone on board who can whip up a Michelin-star-worthy meal , you might as well stay on land.

In the world of massive yachts , there's no such thing as too much. After all, if someone spends eight or nine figures to design the vessel of their dreams — or at least $500,000 a week to charter one — more is more.

"Yachting. It's not rational; it's emotional," Ralph Dazert, the head of intelligence at SuperYacht Times, told Business Insider at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, where dozens of superyachts — often defined as vessels over 30 meters in length — were on display.

And while there are certain classic features, such as jacuzzis and bars, what superyacht owners want is evolving, insiders at the show said. That might mean more crew members, more space for helicopters, or more water toys, but might also include manicure salons and putting greens.

"The bar of what is the baseline expectation has increased exponentially just over the last four or five years," Anders Kurtén, the CEO of brokerage Fraser Yachts, said. Clients are "spending more time on the boat and really wanting to extend the lifestyle they lead on the shore."

A lot of this can be chalked up to the pandemic. Superyacht purchases and charters spiked as life and luxury travel on land screeched to a halt. While the market has moderated slightly, the number of superyachts on order — 1,166 as of September, according to Boat International's Global Order Book — is still above pre-pandemic norms.

"What the pandemic really showed is that the appetite for being out there at sea, sort of living the marine lifestyle, is still as valid as ever," Kurtén said.

That means there's a lot of money on the water. The total value of the 203 superyachts over 30 meters delivered last year was $6.4 billion, according to data from SuperYacht Times. New custom builds from the world's most prestigious shipyards — Lurssen, Feadship, Oceanco , Benetti — can run into the hundreds of millions. Even used superyachts at the Palm Beach show cost as much as $75 million.

And it's not just traditional buyers like retired wealthy couples looking for a place to relax or celebrities looking for a place to party away from the paparazzi. New clients are often younger and have families, so want areas to work and watch movies . They also want pricey water toys, access to fitness equipment, or even pizza ovens for picky eaters.

"This would've never happened in the nineties," said Giovanna Vitelli, the vice president of the Azimut Benetti Group, the world's biggest producer of superyachts. "You would go with your beautiful woman, Champagne — the idea of yachting was much more showing off with your jacuzzi and things like that."

Related stories

Pure opulence has made room for function.

When Benetti's Nabila set sail in 1980, its 50-person crew, gold-and-diamond-encrusted interiors, and lavish parties captured headlines and even inspired the Queen song "Kashoggi's Ship."(Seven years later, Donald Trump bought Nabila for $30 million , renaming her the Trump Princess.)

"Life on board was considered very formal — big formal dining rooms, boats were high on the water, you would be segregated from the rest of the world," Vitelli said, remembering another client who insisted on a replica of the Sistine Chapel above the dining table.

But the ostentatious, palatial-like interiors that used to be highlighted in yacht brochures have made way for lists of more functional features .

Rather than esoteric novelties like an extra-large safe for rifles that one builder had to construct per a Russian yacht owner's request , the superyachts on display at the Palm Beach show featured basketball courts, saunas, and ice baths.

Owners want elevators and luxury gyms. Pampering options, be it a massage room, manicure station, or a professional-grade facial machine, are a dime a dozen. Some bathrooms have fancy Toto toilets, which can cost around $20,000.

Sterns (that's the back of the boat) used to be built high to guard guests' privacy. Now, they're built as "beach clubs" — an open swim platform.

And what good is a massage room if no one on board can give one? Many superyachts can hold twice as many crew members as guests, if not more. One broker, representing a boat that didn't have a masseuse, said it could be quite a "tricky" issue because if a charter wants one, they have to find someone who can massage guests and "pull their weight with the crew."

"It's not uncommon to look for a deckhand who can also mix a martini, play an instrument, maybe entertain the guests with singing, and ideally even give a massage," Kurtén said.

Of course, a crew comes at a cost . Most are considered full-time employees, requiring salaries and benefits like health insurance. Captains, first mates, and chief engineers often make six figures a year. That's without tips; a charter guest will typically spend six figures on gratuities for the crew who worked during a weeklong vacation.

For the superrich, there must be room for toys.

It's not just the onboard amenities that count. What's known as "toys" in the industry — water slides, eFoils, Jet Skis, and underwater scuba diving jets — are popular, and costs range from merely hundreds of dollars (banana boats) to millions ( submersibles , which are still popular despite the recent tragedy).

" Tenders and toys, the sky seems to be the limit," Kurtén said. "More is more."

If you can't fit all those toys in the yacht's storage space, you can just use another boat. Jeff Bezos' support yacht is a superyacht in itself, measuring 75 meters and costing tens of millions of dollars. (His main yacht, Koru , cost a reported $500 million.)

Support yachts are also faster, meaning the crew can get to a destination first and set up the Jet Skis, seapools, and the like, Dazert said. "By the time the owner arrives on the main yacht, everything's set up, and he can go and have fun."

Even tenders, the smaller vessel that brings guests from the ship to the shore, are getting glow-ups. The Nero, a 90-meter beauty available to charter for about $500,000 a week and modeled after J.P. Morgan's 1930s ship, has custom-built tenders to match the design. The most expensive ones often cost seven figures. Nero has three.

"It used to be a tender was a tender," Jeffrey Beneville, who handles yacht insurance at NFP, told BI. "Now they're called limousine tenders. Think of an incredibly luxurious gondola that's got a hard top so nobody's hair gets mussed when they're being dropped off at the Monaco Yacht Club ."

One thing that clearly hasn't changed in superyachting: showing off. If the boat next door at the marina has an indoor-outdoor cinema, it's natural to want one too. Ditto a wine cellar or helipad.

"It's a bit of a celebration of your success in life, of wealth," Vitelli, whose company is behind the Lana yacht Bill Gates chartered for a birthday party three years ago, said. "You push it a little more."

And that's a boon for yacht makers and brokers catering to the superrich.

"Our job is to make clients' dreams come true," Kurtén said.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

• Main content