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12:30 PM Thu 27 Nov 2008 GMT
 | | 'If you’ve got the dough, get out and about in this opulent vessel.'
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Princess Mariana, one of the world's elite megayachts is yours for a snip at $2.6 million.....for two weeks!
Built in Denmark by the Danyard Aalborg yard, originally for a private owner, Princess Mariana has now become available for charter, either the Mediterranean or the Bahamas, take your pick.
During the 30-odd years (some of them very odd!) I've been writing about boats and the boating industry, I've been fortunate enough to board some amazing vessels. However, I've never encountered anything to equal Princess Mariana.
This astonishing megayacht now lays claim to being one of the most luxurious in her class on the world's oceans. Built in Denmark by the Danyard Aalborg yard, originally for a private owner, Princess Mariana has now become available for charter, either the Mediterranean or the Bahamas, take your pick.
She was designed by naval architects Espen Oeino, while her fabulous interior was styled by the famed Francois Zuretti.
Princess Marina is massive; she measures 78.60-metres (257'10') with an eye-popping 14.4-metre (47'4') beam.
Twelve guests are accommodated in six stunning staterooms, all en-suited (naturally), all with plasma television and entertainment systems, with 26 crew on board to cater to their every whim.
Despite her size, Princess Marina can still lope along at 17 knots, thanks to dual V 12 Deutz diesels. When it comes to luxury appointments, Princess Marina lacks for nothing.
She is a six-decker, boasting such features as a 13-seat cinema, a helipad, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, complete with free weights, treadmills and exercise machines, a party deck with two bars, a raised dance floor and a grand piano!
There are a couple of features that could only be termed unique; a dry dock aboard which houses the vessel's tender is referred to as 'The Beach Club.' When the tender is in use or moored alongside, the dry dock is filled with water and comes a 12.0-metre swimming pool complete with underwater lighting. Furthermore, the entire length of the hull on the starboard side lowers to provide an expansive sunbathing area complete with sun beds, deck chairs and tables, with steps providing easy access into the water for a swim.
There is also, wait for it, a golf driving range with a massive screen to enable the golfer to imagine he/she is playing at any number of well-known courses. Sadly, the golf driving range is only available when the helicopter is absent.
Bugger!
Princess Mariana in 2007 underwent an extensive re-fit and 'spruce up' to the tune of USD$12 million. This, her charter operators believe, places her in the elite of the world's charter yachts and I have no intention of disputing that claim.
So there she is and you know you want to spend some time aboard, right?
No problem, Princess Marina is eminently affordable for anyone down to his/her last $500 million or so. A mere snip at $1,305,560 a week, that's all.
Now for the bad news; the Princess demands a minimum two week charter, so forget the $1.3 you really need $2.6-plus.
Mind you, that does cover you, your partner and your 10 very fortunate guests, so what are you waiting for?
To charter this magnificent megayacht you need only choose whether you want the Med or the Bahamas and then contact charterworld.com to make the booking.
Oh, and better send a poultice of money, too.
by Bob Wonders
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Macquarie Island, TAS
