There are few superyachts that arrive on the market with quite as much history, star power, and sheer entertaining potential as Whisper. The 312-foot (95-meter) Lürssen vessel was conceived as an extravagant floating playground rather than simply a private residence, and after more than a decade of billionaire ownership and a highly successful charter career, she is once again looking for a new owner.
Whisper is now looking for a new owner and has been listed for sale with Will Christie of Christie Yachts, with an asking price of €149 million (about $170 million), according to Boat International. Delivered in 2014 as Kismet, the yacht was commissioned by billionaire Shahid Khan as a successor to his 223-foot Lürssen superyacht Atlas, and was created around a “caviar and champagne” brief. Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, reportedly acquired the yacht from Khan in September 2023 and renamed her Whisper.
A billionaire’s floating entertainment palace
From the beginning, Whisper was designed around entertaining. Espen Øino created her striking exterior, pairing a champagne-colored hull with a jet-black mast, while Reymond Langton developed an opulent Art Deco interior. The yacht went on to win a World Superyacht Award in 2015, with judges praising her construction, exterior design and generous deck spaces.
Her five decks are packed with spaces intended for large gatherings. The double-height main saloon features an ornate entrance, marble flooring and a sculptural atrium staircase, while 42 synchronized 55-inch screens can turn the surrounding walls into moving artwork, abstract imagery or live views of the sea. A 770 lb glass-and-bronze chandelier hangs above the staircase, alongside a polished bar incorporating an electronic piano.
There is also a full-beam cinema with a 4K projector, an 18-seat formal dining room, a Winter Garden with seating for 18 and a former sports bar that could transform into a nightclub. Her multifunctional helicopter deck can become a basketball court, dance floor or entertaining area, while the yacht’s outdoor spaces can also be converted into an open-air cinema or large event venue. Captain Marko has reportedly dubbed dinner on the converted basketball court the “Super Bowl of Dining,” with tables, lighting and flowers arranged against a backdrop of open water.
The yacht’s leisure facilities are equally elaborate. A mosaic-tiled pool and raised spa pool dominate the sundeck, while a secluded observation platform above it has an outdoor bed designed for stargazing. Two fold-down sea terraces open from the gym and lobby, bringing guests almost directly to the water. Below, the spa includes a massage room, hydrotherapy bath, plunge pool, hammam, sauna, shower and ice maker, alongside a Technogym-equipped gym and beauty salon.
A proven charter yacht with a fresh interior
Whisper was also built with the charter market in mind and became a favorite among high-profile guests. NBA legend Magic Johnson chartered her for a Mediterranean family vacation in 2025, while her extensive toy collection includes Jet Skis, Seabobs, e-foils, kayaks, paddleboards, wakeboards, diving equipment and inflatable platforms. Her tender fleet includes a nearly 10-meter Hinckley Talaria limousine tender, an Xtenders tender and a ski boat.
Michael Smith Design completed an extensive interior refit in 2025, giving the yacht a lighter, more contemporary atmosphere while retaining her rich character. The bridge deck was transformed from its former sports bar arrangement into a Riva-inspired saloon, with dark wood, light leather and marble used throughout.
Accommodation is arranged for up to 16 guests across seven cabins and a convertible office. The owner’s suite has private dressing areas, individual offices, his-and-hers bathrooms, a fireplace, panoramic views, a skylight and a private deck with a mosaic spa pool. The yacht is powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines, reaches 17 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
For prospective buyers, the appeal is not simply the $170 million price tag. Christie points to the scarcity of 80-meter-plus yachts from Northern European shipyards and notes that building a comparable yacht today could approach €400 million ($460 million) and take four or five years. Whisper will be at anchor during the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show and available for inspections in the South of France on September 1 and 2.