She is a lady, one of the finest around, and while it may be impolite to ask her age, we don’t mind revealing that the Lady Moura superyacht is over 30 years old—34 years, to be precise. Completed in 1990 by Blohm + Voss, we can’t help but wonder what kind of age-defying technology the German shipyard used, as the $250 million superyacht shows no signs of slowing down or deteriorating.
Recently, she made headlines due to a sea-faring hiccup involving another gorgeous pleasure craft, the $140 million Venus, owned by Laurene Powell Jobs. According to reports, strong winds caused Venus to uncontrollably glide towards Lady Moura, bruising her surface. However, the mammoth yacht remained as magnificent as ever, save for a few scratches.
While her size is noteworthy, what is even more startling is the speed this 6,539 GT vessel can manage. Powered by two Deutz 6,868 HP engines, the ship boasts a cruising speed of 17 knots. However, the ship caught attention not only for its performance but also for showcasing the power of money and vision coming together.
Fascinating history of Lady Moura superyacht-
With seven gigantic decks, the boat is imposing. But what had the world in a chokehold in the 1990s was that this vessel had more to offer than just size and stature. She became a global sensation upon her launch due to a sophisticated hydraulic system for doors, flaps, retractable roofs, walls, and cranes.
The gold lettering of the ship’s name on the exterior is covered in 24-carat gold, costing a proud $12,000. The name “Lady Moura” was coined by her original owner, billionaire Nasser al-Rashid.
The “Mou” stands for Mouna Ayoub, his now ex-wife, and the “ra” was taken from his last name. The current owner, Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who bought the boat in 2019 within 554 days of it being listed for $125 million, did not change the near-perfect yacht.
A floating mansion indeed-
There is plenty to admire, but we can first highlight the accommodations of what was known as the world’s first mega-yacht. One of the seven decks was entirely dedicated to family. Guests resided in 13 opulent cabins designed by renowned Italian designer and architect Luigi Sturchio.
Lady Moura is serviced by 72 crew members who work tirelessly over a plethora of amenities and luxe features of the vessel. From a bakery, cinema, disco, medical clinic, and an indoor pool with two diving boards and stairs that sweep through the water, to a first-of-its-kind beach club, there is plenty of entertainment aboard the 344-foot ship.
The vessel’s dining area has been a subject of discussion for decades due to a seemingly endless table fit for a king. The decor is palatial, with each room having its own personality—a remarkable feat considering the number of rooms on Lady Moura. If the ship’s office exhibits vaulted ceilings, the saloon looks regal with marble and mosaic flooring. Every room on the boat embraces the environment like artwork on the walls, thanks to the presence of tall windows.
The most photographed yacht of her time carries 870,000 liters of fuel on board and is equipped with hatches in the hull for motorboats or jet skis. Lady Moura was, in fact, the first yacht to install a boat garage.
Matthias Bosse, her captain of 13 years, who worked in a junior role on Lady Moura in the 1990s, explains, “People describe her as the mother of all megayachts. When she launched, she was a Top 10 superyacht. More importantly, there was no such thing as megayacht building three decades ago, as only vintage sailing yachts reached such a size. Lady Moura is the model that our industry is based upon today.”
The beautiful boat of the billionaire even features two galleys, two medical facilities, and a kids’ section on the bridge deck.
