Members of the British royal family, Prince William and Kate, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and Catherine’s parents, are vacationing in Kefalonia, Greece. After the Wimbledon season, it is time to unwind in true kingly style aboard the superyacht of another royal, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs. The $450 million superyacht Opera is the luxury vessel hosting the family as they enjoy the beauty of the Ionian Sea.
The family arrived on the island by private jet from London, landing directly at Kefalonia Airport. They were then whisked to the Opera by tender, accompanied by six smaller boats as part of their standard security detail. Greece’s beauty has been savored by many famous names recently, from tech tycoon Mark Zuckerberg to makeup mogul Kylie Jenner and now the renowned British royals.
According to local media, the young family boarded a van to Lake Melissani in Sami, where they were given a private tour. One of Greece’s most enchanting subterranean wonders, the lake features a man‑made tunnel where local boatmen row visitors through twin chambers lined with stalactites, flowstones, and bizarre speleothems. At its deepest point, about 30 meters, the lake’s clarity is so remarkable that rowboats seem to float in mid‑air. It surely sounds like something that would make even those born with a diamond‑studded spoon smile and squeal with excitement.
According to Iefimerida, while they were there, the lake was closed to other visitors. In addition to Kefalonia’s natural beauty, distinguished by its rugged coastline, deep gulfs, and the pastel‑hued fishing villages of Fiskardo and Assos, the yacht Opera itself is a wonder. The 479‑foot Lürssen vessel is one of the largest yachts in the world and also one of the most private. It is not available for charter, which makes this gesture from the Abu Dhabi royal family to Prince William and his family all the more gracious.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the future King and Queen of England, made the floating palace their home for a few days. The British royal family is no stranger to such stunning pleasure crafts. HMY Britannia served as the sovereign’s official seagoing residence for 43 years, logging over 1 million nautical miles on state visits and family cruises. After decommissioning it in December 1997, Queen Elizabeth II chartered the Hebridean Princess in July 2006 for an eight‑day private holiday around the Scottish islands to mark her 80th birthday, and again in August 2010 for a two‑week family cruise in the Western Isles.
But it is fair to say none come close to the opulence and grandeur of Opera, which is by far the most impressive motor yacht for a royal. Let’s delve into the features of this luxury vessel below.
Outstanding Opera Yacht-
There are few vessels as large and as expensive as Opera, which immediately betrays its royal ownership. It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea to afford $50 million in annual maintenance for a pleasure craft; such interests are most easily afforded by Middle Eastern royals. The $450 million Lürssen behemoth accommodates 48 guests in 26 cabins, served by a crew of 40. It surpasses Prince William and Catherine’s London home, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, which comprises 20 rooms spread over four storeys.
The seven‑deck superyacht, built for a royal family, included every amenity imaginable, two swimming pools (one on the sun deck and one on the main deck with a rise‑and‑fall floor), massive garages for toys and tenders, and two helipads on the foredeck and stern. As it is a royal vessel, there are no public images of its interior, but it is undoubtedly palatial, with ornate suites, well‑appointed ensuites, lavish spas, a gym for strict fitness regimes, perhaps even cryotherapy chambers, a Jacuzzi, a hammam, and more. The world of royals is indeed as extravagant as it is enigmatic.
The Opera is a beautiful vessel, so enticing that it could make Prince William and Catherine, who often opt for ultra‑private villas on the Caribbean island of Mustique, trade them for grander experiences on the high seas. The only other time someone has made use of such a royal yacht was when superyacht aficionado Leonardo DiCaprio chartered the $450 million Topaz.
The Hollywood A‑lister, along with 20 friends, took over the 482‑foot Topaz while in Brazil for the FIFA World Cup. The yacht is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and owner of Manchester City FC.
