The World Superyacht Awards (2-4 May 2025)celebrates the pinnacle of excellence in craftsmanship and innovation in yachting. As the countdown to the event begins, BOAT rounds up the most notable yachts that have stopped by this iconic superyacht destination in the past year and explores how to visit by yacht.
Al Mirqab
Iconic yacht Al Mirqab breezed into Venice last May and spent a week in the city. Built by German yard Peterswerft-Kusch, with a 133-metre LOA, she remains among the top five per cent of the largest yachts in the world. At the time of her launch in 2008, she blazed the trail by having many large-scale amenities, including an internal pool decorated in a pirate theme, balcony terraces that fold down over the sea, a spacious gym and a hairdressing salon. These innovations won her the title of Motor Yacht of the Year at the World Superyacht Awards 2009.
Kaos
Delivered in 2017 by Oceanco, the 110-metre Kaos (ex. Jubilee) was once the largest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands. The 4,501GT yacht was the brainchild of Barcelona-based designer and rulebreaker Igor Lobanov, who claimed he "was allowed to do anything [he] wanted" and then proceeded to prove it; creating "fake decks" via a clever troupe l'oil design to hide her actual height and give the illusion of a much smaller yacht. No expense was spared in her interiors - at the time of her delivery, it was said that Kaos had the most marble and stone outfitted within the interior than any other superyacht.
Sea Cloud
The eye-catching 109.5-metre Sea Cloud was built over 90 years ago and has a colourful past. Originally named Hussar II, this Grande Dame of sailing yachts was built for a wealthy stockbroker, Edward F. Hutton, and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, who kept the yacht after their divorce and renamed her Sea Cloud. She then served as a patrol vessel for the US Coast Guard during World War II and was later sold to a Dominican Republic dictator, who renamed her Angelita. New German owners rescued her from neglect in 1978 and returned her name to Sea Cloud. She spent a week in Venice last year at the end of July.
Ulysses
Details remain scarce about the new highly secretive 103-metre Feadship superyacht Ulysses, which was delivered to her owner following sea trials in November 2024. Key features include a 15-metre-long tender garage, representing the largest shell door that Feadship has ever built as well as 1,100 square metres of exterior glass. The yacht is also home to four exterior Jacuzzis, a large swimming pool and a helicopter hangar concealed in the foredeck. Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design masterminded the exterior, with naval architecture by Azure Yacht Design.
Eos
The 92.9-metre Eos was delivered in 2006. The elegant three-masted schooner is one of the very few sailing yachts built by German shipyard Lürssen and until 2017, she retained the title as the world’s largest luxury sailing yacht boasting an interior volume of 1,500GT. She was refitted at Royal Huisman in 2011 and, after emerging from her refit, caught fire and had to return to the yard to be repaired. Eos was spotted in Venice for a week last August.
Phoenix 2
When she was delivered in 2010, the slick 90-metre motor yacht Phoenix 2 made waves for her unique Art Deco-slash-New York-inspired interiors. Built by Lürssen, the luxury yacht features black, gold and red interiors by Winch Design. Among her many highlights is a decadent hammam and a glamorous cinema room, complete with a foyer inspired by Radio City Music Hall - featuring a popcorn machine and rugs adorned with piano keys, a nod to the owner’s love of music. The bar stools are sculpted to resemble Big Apple skyscrapers, while the dining room boasts a striking gold bas-relief structure. Completing the yacht’s bold aesthetic, a 5.7-metre phoenix figurehead on the bow echoes the iconic eagles of the Chrysler Building. Sold last year, Phoenix 2 was spotted in Venice last August.
Here Comes the Sun
Here Comes The Sun measures 83 metres and packs in an impressive 2,827GT of interior volume. Delivered in 2016 to an owner who was clearly a Beatles fan and whose previous yachts included Let It Be (now Space-y) and Imagine (since renamed Ventum Maris), the yacht underwent an extensive refit by Amels in 2021 and subsequently won Best Rebuilt Yacht at the World Superyacht Awards 2022. Here Comes The Sun passed by Venice in September last year.
When is the World Superyacht Awards?
The World Superyacht Awards, in association with Acquera Club, The Italian Sea Group and Maddox, takes place on 2-3 May 2025. A highlight of the yachting calendar, it brings together superyacht owners, builders, designers and other industry experts to celebrate the most outstanding new superyachts.
If you are travelling to Venice by yacht, local experts Acquera Club are on hand to help assist with all your travel arrangements. As May 2025 is an extremely busy period, we encourage you to book hotels, transfers and berths early to avoid disappointment. Upon registration, guests will receive a welcome booklet with next steps or, if you would like to get ahead and secure your accommodation and travel, please call +39 3318095482 or email contact@acqueraclub.com for available options and rates.
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