Feadship’s 236-foot superyacht Samaya is a purpose-built luxury vessel for exploration and diving in some of the most remote regions on this planet. Unlike most luxury yachts that sail in the Mediterranean region, especially during summer, Samaya is often spotted near Southeast Asia and Australia, close to some of the best diving locations.
This tells you a lot about the $85 million superyacht adventure-seeking owner. According to the New Zealand daily, The Press, Samaya is owned by Christine Shrestha-Stern, an avid traveler and diver with a reported net worth of $1.5 billion.
Christine belongs to the Stern family from Switzerland, which has owned Patek Philippe since 1932. She is the elder sister of Thierry Stern, the President of the renowned Geneva-based watch brand. However, the billionaire owner of Samaya likes to maintain complete secrecy around her personal and professional life. Very little is known about her, except that she was born in 1960 and prefers to spend most of her time in Asia. It’s amazing how a person of her stature and reputation has managed to maintain this level of secrecy, as there is not a single photo of her on the Internet. After hours of searching, the only photo we could find is on the Patek website, and it’s from her childhood.
Yet, it’s hardly a surprise that she owns Samaya. The love for exquisite superyachts runs in the family. Her brother, Thierry, owns the $90 million superyacht Nautilus, named after the most famous watch collection by Patek Philippe.
Returning to Samaya, the explorer superyacht, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was completed in 2017. The beautiful vessel was designed by the prestigious UK-based yacht design company Redman Whitely Dixon (RWD). The exterior features a teal-colored waterline, giving the superyacht its distinct identity. The sundeck has dining and relaxation areas big enough to handle large crowds, while the area also has two private resting beds against the mast arch with their own ventilation systems.
The yacht boasts an exquisite interior despite its clear focus on exploration. The interior is designed to provide a sense of calm and tranquility, featuring a neutral color palette and elegant furnishing. Samaya can accommodate up to 12 guests in its luxurious cabins and requires a crew of 16 members. The owner’s suite gets a king-sized bed, a private office, and an en-suite bathroom offering beautiful ocean views. One of the highlights of the superyacht is a dedicated dive room in the stern of the boat. The room includes the most advanced scuba equipment, featuring a teal-colored floor and metallic-colored ceiling. In addition to the $85 million superyacht, Christine Shrestha-Stern reportedly owns a Gulfstream G650 business jet.
