You know, it’s sort of funny the things that make me smile. When I saw my first cruise ship of the season anchor off Cruz Bay last month, I was ecstatic because it means yet another return to normalcy. And that’s very important to me and many of us living here in a post-hurricane world. Well today, I’d like to tell about something else that has made me smile this week… the mega yachts have arrived for the season!! They skipped last season, so this is a big deal. 🙂
I was over at Francis Bay yesterday when I noticed a very cool yacht sitting in the bay. I did a little sleuthing and learned it was the Arriva, an impressive 156-foot yacht. The cool part about the Arriva is its history. It was formerly owned by Johnny Depp who named it the Vajoliroja – a pun on the Jolly Roger using the first two letters of his children’s names – Lily Rose and Jack.
Johnny Depp sold the yacht to JK Rowling, who in turn named it Amphitrite. She quickly had buyer’s remorse and put the yacht on the market for more than $17 million. The yacht sold in 2017, although the new fancy owner has not been named publicly.
Another impressive yacht that’s in our area today is the Rising Sun. This is extra special in my opinion because it truly shows that things are getting back to normal.
The Rising Sun is a 453-foot megayacht owned by David Geffen. It visits every year, spending Thanksgiving over in Round Bay. The vessel obviously did not visit us in 2017, but the fact that it has returned this year is a great sign. Check out this pic I took earlier today using my telescope. I snapped it just before the Rising Sun passed behind Little St. James.
And here’s an even better pic taken this morning by our friends over at St. John Car Rental:
And lastly, here’s a close up picture taken of the Rising Sun during its visit back in 2013:
The Rising Sun and Arriva are both currently hanging out together in Round Bay. So if you’re out on the East End today, be sure to take a pic. 🙂
I’m sure more are coming folks, and we’ll be sure to tell you all about it! Have a great day everyone!
Absolutely beautiful! If anyone on board has some extra space I could use some of that warm sun and blue water right about now…it’s cold up here in Ohio!!
Awesome. March can’t come soon enough.
We don’t have a yacht, but we are booked for Feb. Yeah!
Wait…. Aren’t these the same Hollywood liberals constantly bitching about carbon footprints and man made climate change. Yep.
Hey Mark. Been coming to St John for 36 years. Based on your comment, you might want to try visiting on of the other islands. I’ll leave it at that.