Ije is a superyacht owned by Australian billionaire James Packer. The 2019 yacht measures 354 feet in length and is Italian shipyard Benetti’s longest built to date. The fully custom motoryacht is not only one that exemplifies Benetti’s standing but also highlights as a great work of art by British design studio RWD. The name IJE in some languages means ‘Journey,’ but for me, it’s the abbreviation ‘Its Just Extraordinary’ for a luxury vessel that’s pleasing to the eyes, packed with performance and is an explorer donning the garb of an elite traveler. The vessel is actually called Ije after his three children—Indigo, Jackson, and Emmanuelle. Let’s explore Ije superyacht closely –
IJE, an extraordinary explorer yacht that’s elegantly designed –
At 354 feet, the $200 million Ije Yacht is impressive and packs quite a punch. The boat comes with space for 22 guests in 11 cabins and is serviced by a crew of 28. Commissioned by seasoned yacht owner Packer, who had given a brief for an elegant yacht that could also carry three large tenders. In the past, Packer has owned several impressive boats like a 180-foot Amels superyacht purchased for $47 million and a 170-foot Amels, the Seahorse, which were both sold later. He also owned a 288-foot ice-breaker, the Arctic P, that he gifted to his sister in 2017. His fleet once included the 165-footer Mangusta named Z Ellerston, and a 150-foot Leopard called Z Sydney. Done with smaller ships, he makes the most of the boat he is left with, his gigantic 354-feet luxury vessel Ije.
The luxurious touches, finishes, and details on Ije motoryacht are an excellent bonus courtesy of the talented Benetti Interior Style Department, who breathed opulence into the boat. Ije yacht features the most impressive owner’s deck, complete with a kingly suite, a stately office with stunning views, a luxurious ensuite with an oval-shaped botticino marble tub, a family lounge with an intimate dining space, and a soothing, understated vibe.
The guest cabins are also well-appointed, which makes long sojourns around the globe a pleasant experience. There is plenty to do aboard the Benetti boat that features a nightclub, a cinema, a gym, a beach club, and a massive tender garage.
“In some boats, you have a brief of what you need to fit in, and then you have to wrap a skin around those needs. This was definitely the other way around,” said RWD designer and team principal Adrian Chisnell. “It became a sculptural design, the form is pure RWD”. Among the stunning spaces of the slim 3,367GT ship is the main deck that blurs the lines between interiors and exteriors by being open on all four sides.
The automated sliding doors and glass panels fuse the different areas together, making it seem like one unending floor on the amazing five-decker. The cinema takes a break from the neutral oakwood interiors and opens to an entirely different atmosphere through the massive door dotted with giant leather recliners, dark carpets, and soft cushions.
The nightclub is very similar in the same sense, with an evident lack of wood that’s replaced with labradorite stone and blue leather. “We have a full commercial set-up, inclusive of a DJ console, strobe lights, and decorative ‘portholes’ [framed screens] with movies of sea life,” said Christian Power, member of the build team to Boat International. The Ije yacht boasts a top speed of 21 knots and a range of 6,500 nautical miles.
Who is James Packer?
Worth $2.8 billion per Forbes, Packer owes much of his wealth to the casino business that he stepped down from in March 2018, the Crown Resorts. The 56-year-old is one of the richest persons in Australia who comes from wealth as he was the son of Kerry Packer AC, a media mogul. He inherited the family wealth and companies like the Consolidated Press Holdings Limited, as well as investments in Crown Resorts and others. More interesting than how he acquired his wealth is how he splurges it.
According to SCMP, he was engaged to superstar singer Mariah Carey whom he parted ways with a $50 million ‘inconvenience fee’ when they called off their wedding (he even proposed to her with a $10 million engagement ring). His real estate portfolio boasts a $50 million Mexican mega-mansion in Cabo San Lucas, and the former Beverly Hills love nest of J.Lo and Ben Affleck, an $85 million, 12-bedroom mansion. His Hollywood connections extend to American actor Robert De Niro with whom the businessman is building a $500 million resort in Barbuda, aiming to open in late 2025.
