The thing about boats is that once you get on them you cannot get off, not in the literal sense, but mentally. There is something so effective about being aboard that those who can afford it become serial boat owners. Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie was no different. Perhaps influenced by her love of ships, she and her husband, Bill Laurie, have owned three. Long before the $300 million Kaos superyacht entered her life, the billionairess made the most of a little secret. Well, not so little: at 270 feet, this $98 million maritime masterpiece was surely difficult to hide.
The plain exterior may fool you into thinking the vessel is hush and humble, perhaps finished in neutral tones, or, as the alfresco areas suggest, a motley of blacks and whites. Only those lucky enough to have chartered the Abeking & Rasmussen beauty know that what lies beneath is truly astonishing.
This is why the name Secret is fitting; like the layers of an onion, its real colors reveal themselves only when the doors open. The 2013 luxury vessel features an elegant exterior by Sam Sorgiovanni and an impressive interior by Jim Harris.
There is something very different in Secret that one does not find in Walton’s current yacht, Kaos. The eccentricity of Secret was replaced by a calmer charm, perhaps because the 361-foot Oceanco masterpiece was commissioned by the then-Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, a noted connoisseur of megayachts.
Secret unlocks the door to Nancy Walton Laurie’s true persona, as it is rare for a ship to flaunt its own personality as effortlessly as Secret does. Of course, this has a lot to do with the bold thematic guest suites, unabashed use of color, daring material combinations, and absolutely no concern for appealing to anyone other than the owners. That is the kind of confidence Secret exudes; it is not careful but carefree, and that spirit is evident in several rooms and in the treatment of its lavish amenities.
The master suite, for instance, is so uniquely done that it actually commands a name like the ship itself. Called “Chanel,” the space is drenched in recognizable Chanel black and gold. From his-and-her en suites, hers with a half-size bathtub and his with higher countertops, to an oversized walk-in wardrobe and a private office, the primary suite is a home and office combined with luxury.
The VIP room, called “Valentina,” is perhaps customized for the daughter; instead of pink, it is awash in red, offering constant reminders of one’s valentine. Moving on to the main saloon, it does not emulate the vibrancy of bright hues, but there is plenty of visual stimulus in the mixture of black and red with gold or silver accents.
One favorite area is the cinema, flaunting red leather Porsche armchairs, matching leather ceiling panels, and black walls, making “Valentina” a fitting name for it. Amenities aboard Secret include a Jacuzzi, a gym, and a separate wellness area with a beautician and a masseuse, along with a beach club equipped with rain showers and a tender garage. The stunning five-decker, with a volume of 2,240 GT, is manned by 25 crew. The motoryacht was listed for an asking price of $100 million but ultimately sold for about $80 million.
Kaos yacht, a charismatic, regal yacht-
At 361 feet, the $300 million Kaos is the largest superyacht owned by a woman, 74-year-old Walmart billionairess whose fortune Forbes values at about $15 billion. The sanctuary was also designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, though Kaos underwent a year-long refit in 2019 at Lürssen to suit Walton’s tastes, with Reymond Langton Design breathing new life into it while retaining most of its original charm.
Like Secret, Kaos boasts themes inspired by the city of Casablanca, blending Arabian and European cultures. The vessel features a helipad, a 12-person cinema, a massage parlor, a hammam, a gym, and a “London Bar” complete with smoke machines, a DJ booth, and a water-wall chandelier. There is also a beach club with an aquarium.
No matter the ship, the founder of the Columbia Performing Arts Centre surely enjoys her time on the high seas in utmost luxury.
