A lavish new megayacht rumored to be valued at over £440 million is set to become the official flagship of the United Arab Emirates. The identity of the mega-rich mystery owner remains unknown, but speculation indicates it may be owned by a prominent Emirati royal family member.
Named the ‘Smeralda’, the opulent 377-foot yacht was recently spotted docked at the Marina in Abu Dhabi. With distinctive curved glass surfaces and sweeping lines, the Smeralda cuts a striking figure even among the world’s most expensive private vessels.
Built by renowned German shipbuilder Lürssen, the Smeralda stands out for having not just one but three helicopter pads on its upper deck. This allows the mega-rich owner to land multiple helicopters simultaneously when shuttling VIP guests to the yacht.
Inside, the Smeralda is the peak of luxury, with an expansiveOwner’s Deck, VIP suites, swimming pool, beauty salon, massage room and even a snow room filled with real snow. No expense has been spared, with every fixture bespoke and crafted from premium materials like marble floors, onyx surfaces and gold accents throughout.
While little is known about the secretive owner of the Smeralda, many speculate it was commissioned by the royal Al Nahyan family. Other experts guess the Al Maktoum royal clan may be behind the extravagant purchase. Either way, the mystery owner clearly wanted the ultimate status symbol afloat.
Now flying the UAE flag, the Smeralda is anticipated to make its official debut representing the Gulf nation at high-profile events like the Monaco Yacht Show. As the lavish new flagship yacht of the UAE, the Smeralda symbolizes both the astonishing wealth of the Emirates as well as the country’s arrival as a major player on the global yachting scene.