It’s no surprise that the superyachts of Saudi princes are often shrouded in mystery. The iconic 404-footer Golden Odyssey was no different, except it was. The Lürssen mammoth may have been named Odyssey (a golden one at that), symbolizing a long and eventful journey, but unfortunately, the $300 million megayacht was devoid of adventure, or at least one worthy of its status. It is said the owner, Saudi Prince Khaled bin Sultan Al Saud, never set foot on the luxury vessel. The former Deputy Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia commissioned the pleasure craft in 2015, and it was touted to be the 36th-largest yacht in the world.
However, instead of using the Golden Odyssey as his personal retreat, Prince Khaled made the yacht collateral for a loan he defaulted on. Consequently, the vessel was seized and auctioned in Malta after Deutsche Bank Luxembourg successfully arrested the yacht to enforce its mortgage for an outstanding debt of over $116 million. One would ordinarily expect the yacht to lose its charm as it declined in value by half when a Chinese billionaire with a penchant for luxury boats bought her for a bargain price of $150 million. But this is the exquisite Golden Odyssey which remained faultless at every stage. When maintaining her comes at a hefty $15 million annually, the floating palace does stand the test of time.
Spanning 7,600 GT with five expansive decks, the Golden Odyssey comes packed with luxurious amenities. It accommodates 36 guests and 73 crew members, featuring opulent interiors designed by the late Alberto Pinto. The owner’s deck includes not one but two master suites, a spa and wellness area, a private terrace with dining spaces, and a jacuzzi, all reserved for the kingly owner and his immediate family.
This deck also boasts a private treatment room, sauna, gym, and alfresco dining and lounging spaces, ensuring the owner enjoys complete privacy without mingling with other guests.
As for the rest of the yacht, every detail has been taken care of to leave guests wanting for nothing. Among the highlights are additional alfresco dining areas, bars, a wellness sanctuary, a hospital equipped with dental facilities and a doctor’s consultation room. Entertainment facilities abound, including an oversized beach club, an aft swimming pool, a helipad, and a plethora of tenders, RIBs, and other water toys. Guests can enjoy all these luxuries without even crossing paths with other passengers.
Though the price of Golden Odyssey may have dropped significantly, her magnificence has only grown. In fact, the yacht underwent a complete refit as recently as 2023 at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. She recently graced the Monaco Yacht Show, ruling as the grandest and largest ship at the event. Listed for sale once again with the price on request, it remains unclear whether she secured a buyer or what price the Chinese billionaire is asking. Interestingly, he is reportedly building another large yacht at Lürssen. If that project aims to surpass the grandeur of the Golden Odyssey, the yachting world has something spectacular to look forward to. A golden opportunity indeed!
The prince who parted with his Golden Odyssey
The 75-year-old former Deputy Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, is a prominent figure in his nation, renowned for his military expertise. A graduate of England’s prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1968, Prince Khaled embarked on a path that would shape him into one of Saudi Arabia’s most formidable military leaders. His ambition led him to the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later to the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. In 1980, he earned a master’s degree in political science from Auburn University. It’s no surprise that he is recognized as the “Father of Saudi Arabia’s Missile Program”, after procuring the nation’s first guided missile.
Another of Prince Khaled’s passions was superyachts. He owned a fleet, which included the Golden Osprey, a small yet sprightly tender for the larger Golden Odyssey. The certified scuba diver’s fleet also boasted the $10 million Golden Shadow, a support yacht for the 404-foot Golden Odyssey, which even carried a seaplane. The Golden Shadow is frequently used for research missions organized by Prince Khaled’s Living Oceans Foundation, a global non-profit established in 2,000, dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world’s oceans. His love for the sea is evident not only through his remarkable fleet but also through his philanthropic work.
It’s fascinating to observe how Prince Khaled, once in a solid financial position in 2011, experienced a significant shift over the next five years when Mohammed Bin Salman came into power. According to The Wall Street Journal, ‘his financial circumstances changed massively’ around 2017, leading to the sale of his two yachts. The $300 million, 40-room mansion in Regent’s Park, known as ‘London Palace,’ along with a private plane and a New York residence, are now under receivership due to an expired loan.
