After the king of luxury, Bernard Arnault’s $650 million megayacht created a buzz online, his smaller $150 million superyacht, Symphony, also turned heads in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The LVMH titan was among the world’s richest men, and his luxury vessel reflected that quite clearly. The 333-footer, known as the first Feadship to exceed 100 meters in length, was a striking maritime marvel designed by British studio Tim Heywood. Naturally, the ship became the main visual attraction at the port of Tenerife. Images of Symphony’s breathtaking silhouette against the beautiful locale, docked in the capital’s port, began circulating on social media.
The internet’s reactions never disappointed, with one user stating, “We’ll confiscate it and trade it for an upgrade to the electrical grid.” According to Spanish daily Diariodeavisos, social media users even joked about the world’s eighth-richest man enjoying a barraquito, a sweet coffee drink popular in the Canary Islands, or strolling through the local market during his visit. The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, also known as the Sydney of the Atlantic, offered avant-garde architecture and ancient natural landscapes.
In addition, the Port of Santa Cruz offered deep-water berths and specialized repair facilities that could handle gigayachts exceeding 100 meters. Whether Arnault’s visit was for the scenic beauty or simply a stopover remained unknown, but the real treat was not enjoyed by the owner of this six-decker. It was the onlookers who seemed to have the best time admiring something of such sheer beauty.
In addition, the LVMH portfolio boasts the critically acclaimed Eminente rum, a masterwork by César Martí that has become a staple of Europe’s most exclusive mixology circles. Symphony’s presence served as the crowning moment of a season where Tenerife solidified its status as a premier Atlantic gateway for the world’s most significant private fleets.
As for Symphony, if it looked grand and incredible from the exterior, it was just as marvelous inside. The 3,463 GT vessel came packed with indulgent amenities such as a glass-bottom swimming pool with a cascading waterfall, an outdoor cinema on the bridge deck, and a private owner’s deck featuring a sauna, Jacuzzi terrace, and an office by François Zuretti. There was also a wellness center, beach club, indoor cinema, pop-up golf tee with biodegradable balls, and eight lavish guest cabins.
Symphony’s likely return to Feadship-
According to MarineTraffic, Symphony was currently near Leeuwarden, close to Feadship’s specialized northern hubs, a location that strongly hinted at what might come next. In all likelihood, she was headed back to the same Frisian dry dock for her definitive 10-year survey. The majestic vessel had undergone her 2019 mid-life refresh at Feadship’s Makkum facility, making it the most logical destination once again. If that was indeed the plan, the next three to five months would likely be spent in the Netherlands.
Such a survey would involve everything from stripping back sections of the interior to inspect the steel hull to pressure-testing all internal tanks, while her Wärtsilä engines and thrusters would be subjected to extensive checks and servicing. The timing would also position her perfectly for a showstopping appearance at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, especially if a sale was on the horizon. With Bernard Arnault’s new $650 million titan now underway, this rigorous technical overhaul may well have been the final step in preparing the world’s most famous LVMH yacht for a record-breaking handover.
