Where are all of my megayacht spotters/dreamers/lovers? Another beauty just cruised into St. John and this one’s rather impressive. And for the techies out there, you’re really going to like this one. Here are the details:
The yacht is called Solemates and to give you an idea of just how fancy it is, Forbes named it one of the world’s most outrageous yachts. Here’s what they had to say:
This 197-foot pleasure cruiser—which Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and his family recently chartered for $850,000 a week through the Luxury Yacht Group firm—is chock full of regal amenities. But its coolest draw is technological: It’s got a custom-made (and customizable) iPad app that allows passengers to control everything from the entertainment and climate systems to blinds and lights in their cabins through a mere tap on their touch-screens (14 iPads are available onboard).
Other perks include a slew of Jacuzzis and flat-screen LCD panels, an aromatherapy shower, and an outdoor gym that converts to a disco with an $80,000 light-and-sound system; among the toys are an inflatable floating trampoline, three remote-control racing sloops, waterskis in various sizes and Sea Bobs that let you zoom through the surf like a motor-powered dolphin.
Not too shabby. Solemates is currently stopped over near Soloman Bay. We’re sure how long it will be around and we’re also not sure who’s chartering it. If any of you catch a glimpse, feel free to send over your experience and/or images to [email protected]
Here’s a bit more about Solemates courtesy of CNN. They ran a story on the megayacht when P. Diddy chartered it a few years back.
What do you get when you combine the latest superyacht with an Apple iPad? Answer: The world’s most exclusive app.
Custom-made software from German luxury yacht firm Lurssen gives passengers control of everything but the captain’s steering wheel — all with the most leisurely brush of their iPad.
“Solemates,” the first pleasure yacht to carry the technology, is currently playing host to flamboyant rap tycoon Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, girlfriend Kim Porter and their daughters D’Lila and Jessie, confirmed the yacht’s charter firm.
Using complimentary iPads, the millionaire mogul and his family will have control of all the shipboard entertainment and climate systems, the blinds and lights in their cabins, and could even have their Pina Coladas topped-up at the tap of an icon.
“You won’t find this app for download in the Apple store any time soon,” said Rupert Connor, central agent from chartering firm the Luxury Yacht Group. “The captain hands each guest their own iPad when they board, which they get to keep for the entirety of their trip.”
Connor, whose company is responsible for leasing “Solemates” on behalf of its owner, says that guests are given the option to customize the app’s homepage to suit their preferences.
“For instance, if we have a client who we know is a music industry bigwig, then we’ll program the app’s homepage to have a prominent shortcut to our high-speed media server’s music library, and we’ll do our research to make sure we have all the music they’d want to listen to.”
At $690,000 a week, plus expenses (which Connor conservatively puts at a further $150,000), the super-rich certainly get more than a glorified remote control when they step on board.
Aside from ultra-lux furnishings, a bounty of Jacuzzis and enough flat-screen LCD panels to tile a roof, Connor says “Solemates” also lets guests keep fit in style.
“We’ve a top-of-the-range al-fresco gym on board, but if you prefer keeping in shape on the dance floor then it converts into a disco, with an $80,000 integrated light and sound system,” he said.
And that’s not all. After a round on the inflatable floating trampoline, jet-powered surfboards or James Bond-style underwater “sea bobs,” whoever’s lucky enough to commandeer the master cabin can wash off in what Connor believes is the world’s first yacht-board aromatherapy shower.
“This is aromatherapy direct from the shower-head,” said Connor. “It comes in four different flavors: eucalyptus, pine needle, citrus, and peppermint.”
Now that’s fancy. Want to know more? Click here to check out Solemates’ charter site and click here to read the CNN article in its entirety.