A rare photograph that surfaced recently from Palma de Mallorca’s exclusive Marina Port Vell has yacht enthusiasts buzzing. The image captures an extraordinary juxtaposition: the mammoth 123-meter Al Lusail, owned by the Emir of Qatar, docked alongside the late Steve Jobs‘ iconic 78-meter Venus. Despite Venus being considered one of the most impressive vessels on the water, it appears almost modest when overshadowed by the Qatari royal’s floating palace.
A study in contrasts
There’s a possibility that the Emir and Steve Jobs’ widow, Laurene Powell Jobs, were both visiting Palma at the same time. The photograph offers a striking visual representation of superyacht evolution. Venus, with her revolutionary glass-heavy design and sleek aluminum hull, embodies Jobs’ minimalist aesthetic and technological innovation.
The Philippe Starck creation, valued at approximately $120 million, has long been considered the epitome of modern yacht design with its Apple-inspired features including Mac-powered navigation systems.
However, Al Lusail, built by German shipyard Lürssen in 2017, represents an entirely different philosophy of maritime luxury. The $500 million vessel, with her imposing six decks and 75-foot beam, makes Venus look positively diminutive in comparison. Where Venus innovates with design simplicity, Al Lusail overwhelms with sheer scale and opulence.
“It’s like comparing an elegant sports car to a luxury cruise liner,” noted Antonio Méndez, a local yacht broker who witnessed the two vessels. “Venus is revolutionary in design, but Al Lusail operates on a completely different scale of luxury.”
Royal Excess
The proximity of these vessels offers a glimpse into two distinct worlds of wealth. While Venus represents the tech-forward vision of Silicon Valley innovation, Al Lusail embodies the traditional excess associated with Middle Eastern royalty.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the 43-year-old Emir of Qatar, maintains a fleet of luxury assets that exemplifies the lavish lifestyle of the oil-rich monarchy. Beyond Al Lusail’s multiple swimming pools, helicopter pad, and accommodations for 36 guests served by 56 crew members, the Qatari royal family’s portfolio includes a $247 million London mansion, a $200 million private Boeing 747, and significant stakes in European landmarks and businesses.
The Qatari royal lifestyle represents a level of opulence that feels almost anachronistic in today’s world. With annual running costs for Al Lusail estimated between $25-50 million, the vessel serves as both private retreat and diplomatic tool, frequently hosting high-level meetings away from public scrutiny.
Technological marvel meets traditional grandeur
While Venus turns heads with her innovative design—featuring structural glass that engineers had to develop special solutions for—Al Lusail impresses through traditional superyacht grandeur taken to extreme conclusions.
Venus, now owned by Laurene Powell Jobs, represents the culmination of Jobs’ vision, though he never lived to see it completed. The vessel, with its 27 Mac computers and iPhone-like control systems, stands as a testament to Apple’s design philosophy extended to maritime engineering.
Meanwhile, Al Lusail, named after a planned city in Qatar that hosted FIFA World Cup matches, showcases what unlimited resources can accomplish when traditional yacht building reaches its zenith. Its H2 Yacht Design exterior and March & White interior incorporate every conceivable luxury, from limousine tenders to extensive wellness facilities.
As the Mediterranean yachting season approaches, this rare side-by-side glimpse of these nautical titans serves as a reminder that even in the rarefied world of superyachts, there are still distinct hierarchies of wealth and excess.
