M/Y "Christina O", the legendary yacht of Aristotle
Onassis, is now available for the first time for private cruises.
As the legendary yacht begins a new era in history, "Christina
O" offers the opportunity to charter this yacht and become
a part of her illustrious legacy - an option never before available
on this particular private luxury mega-yacht.
"Christina O", once again takes to the sea to define
a new category of luxury yachting. She has undergone the most
extensive restoration of a private luxury mega-yacht in maritime
history and is the first in the world to bear a passenger classification.
HISTORY
Originally built in 1943 as a Canadian convoy escort,
the yacht was purchased by shipping magnate Aristotle
Onassis in 1954. Onassis spent over $4 million to convert
the ship, which he named after his daughter, into the
most elegant and advanced private yacht afloat. The Christina
was Onassis' "floating home" from 1954 to 1975.
During that time, the vessel's guest list was the ultimate
who's who of dignitaries and Hollywood stars, including
such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, King
Farouk of Egypt, opera
diva Maria Callas and numerous others. John F. Kennedy
first met Winston Churchill aboard the yacht and two of
the most celebrated wedding receptions of the century
were held on her decks - Prince Rainier to
Grace Kelly and Onassis himself to Jacqueline Kennedy. |
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After Onassis' death in 1975, his daughter Christina donated
the yacht to the Greek government. In 1998, the yacht was bought
by John Paul Papanicolaou, an Onassis family friend and shipping
industry leader. He began Christina's three-year restoration,
involving meticulous research, engineering and craftsmanship.
"We're thrilled to reintroduce the fabled "Christina
O" in all her original splendor," he says. "Having
been a passenger aboard the yacht in my youth, I feel a special
pride in bringing her forth to sail into the new millennium.
The extent and attention to detail of her restoration would
make Onassis proud." Now, after more than a quarter-century,
the yacht returns to sail into a new millennium in her original
grandeur complemented by today's latest technology.
IN BRIEF
Launched : Summer of 2001
Destination : The Mediterranean (summer) and Caribbean Seas
(Winter)
Refurbishment Cost: Over $50 million
DIMENSIONS & STATISTICS
Overall length: 325 Feet
Beam: 36.5 Feet
Draft: 14 Feet
Displacement (fully loaded): 2,250 Tons (approx.)
Main Engines/Propulsion: MAN (2x 2,775 bhp)
Cruising Speed: 19 Knots
Cruising Range: 12,000+ Miles
Passenger Capacity: 36
Crew: 34 |
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Tenders and Water sports Equipment
Two-twelve passenger Hacker Craft mahogany tenders, water-ski
boat, two jet skis, wind surfers and snorkeling gear. Classification/Standards
Classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, the yacht fully
complies with US Public Health requirements as well as the strict
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations for passenger vessels
carrying up to 36 individuals.
Private Charters
Ultra-exclusive private cruising can be reserved for summer
cruises in the Mediterranean and winter cruises in the Caribbean.
Clientele can customize their own itineraries and experience
private use of the yacht.
As her legendary past blends into the dawning of a new era,
"Christina O" affords a first-time opportunity to
experience the extraordinary lifestyle of the Onassis years
replete with the modern touches of the 21st century.
| At 325 feet in length, the magnificent yacht
includes 18 staterooms, all named after Onassis' favorite
Greek Islands, and the extraordinary Onassis Suite which
is undoubtedly a centerpiece of the yacht. Carefully restored
by an apprentice of the original craftsmen, the inlaid
mosaic floor of the swimming pool rises at the push of
a button to form a dance floor. The Lapis Lounge continues
to boast the brilliant lapis lazuli fireplace to which
it owes its name. Ari's Bar, where Onassis did much of
his entertaining, retains the infamous bar stools covered
in whale foreskin, which Onassis used to shock his guests.
An original Renoir graces Christina O's walls and the
grand spiral staircase with its onyx and silver handrail
encircles the atrium. |
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In keeping with her former reputation as the most modern yacht
at sea, today's state-of-the-art technology and conveniences
have been seamlessly integrated with the signature details of
the Christina O. Each stateroom boasts CD and DVD players with
surround sound, the finest Venetian linens, and magnificent
marble bathrooms. A fresh air system replaces the interior air
approximately once every five minutes. The yacht now has a spa
complex that includes a Jacuzzi with open-air bar, massage room,
fitness center, sports lounge and more. Other amenities of the
Christina O include a library, music lounge, show lounge, children's
playroom, helicopter pad, beauty parlor and formal dining room.
Beginning in the summer of 2001, "Christina O" returned
to reclaim her dominance of the world's yachting scene and is
available for those who want to become a part of her illustrious
legacy.
Accommodations
The Christina O accommodates up to 36 passengers in 18 staterooms
plus the Onassis Suite.
ONASSIS SUITE
Comprised of three rooms - a large bedroom, bathroom and
study - totaling 678 square feet, the Onassis Suite will
provide the ultimate luxury shipboard accommodations with
panoramic ocean views. The bedroom features a king-sized
bed covered in fine Venetian linens, custom made furniture
from Milan and Onassis' original Baccarat crystal wall
lights. The wood-paneled study features the original onyx
fireplace, leather furniture and handmade Austrian lamps
and a writing desk features silver-embossed stationery.
In the bathroom, which is complete with double sinks and
a bathtub with six-head shower, LeFroy Brooks fittings
complement the original rare marble finishes. The Onassis
Suite features three large walk-in closets, two surround
sound stereo systems with DVD and CD players and televisions. |
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STATEROOMS
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| Each stateroom, with dimensions ranging
between 150 and 236 square feet, is named after one of
the Greek Isles. Stateroom features include a double bed
or two twin-sized beds with fine Venetian linens, seating
area with antique prints of the Greek Islands, leather-inlaid
secretaire, mirrored walk-in closets, surround sound stereo
systems with DVD and CD players and views of the sea.
Bathrooms feature six-head massage showers. |
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The Christina O, famed for magnificent parties,
can host events for up to 100 guests using interior facilities
and up to 250 in the canopied deck spaces. |
ARI'S BAR
Perhaps the most famous spot on board, John F. Kennedy
first met Sir Winston Churchill in Ari's Bar in 1957.
The intricately detailed bar contains barrels and sea
chests hinting of pirate treasure, whaling harpoons and
an illustrated wall map of the world. The circular bar
itself was originally crafted from the timbers of a Spanish
Galleon, wound with heavy sailing rope and is adorned
with footrests and handholds of ornately carved whales'
teeth. It features a glass top over a lighted relief of
the sea, which depicts the development of ships through
history with tiny model ships that can be moved around
by magnets. The bar stools are covered in whale foreskin,
a fact that Onassis delighted in telling his guests. |
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LAPIS LOUNGE
This elegant lounge owes its name to the
breathtaking lapis lazuli fireplace, which is
the focal point of the room where Richard
Burton and Elizabeth Taylor once relaxed. Bookshelves
surrounding the fireplace are
filled with rare volumes. Fine pieces of art
including a Renoir, Le Corbusier and
de Chirico line the walls. |
SWIMMING POOL / DANCE FLOOR
Carefully restored by an apprentice of the original craftsmen,
the floor of the bronze-bordered swimming pool is inlaid
with an exquisite mosaic copied directly from the Palace
of Knossos in Crete. With the push of a button, the bottom
of the pool rises above the water to become a dance floor. |
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ATRIUM
A majestic spiral staircase highlighted by an onyx and
silver handrail circles the atrium, connecting the three
cabin decks. A delicate mural winds up the surrounding
wall and a central mosaic with the Christina Yachting
emblem adorns the floor. |
SPA COMPLEX
Encompassing half the Promenade Deck, the spa complex
includes a fitness center, massage room, sports lounge
and beauty salon as well as the sumptuous Jacuzzi Deck,
fitted with a large Jacuzzi, an open air bar and al fresco
dining. |
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MAIN DINING ROOM
The dining room can accommodate up to 40 people and features
fine hand-finished tables, Venetian lace
tablecloths, Waterford glassware, Ercuis silverware and
a sunken marble floor. |
LIBRARY
Filled with books from around the world which are published
in several languages, the library provides guests with
a place to read some of the rare volumes or work at one
of two writing desks. |
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MUSIC LOUNGE
This lounge features a grand piano, Italian furniture
by Giorgetti and Maria Callas memorabilia including her
sole gold record. |
SHOW LOUNGE
Equipped with a presentation platform, Giorgetti furniture,
and huge bay windows offering panoramic views, the Show
Lounge houses video equipment and a stereo system. |
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CHILDREN'S PLAYROOM
This brightly decorated room provides an ideal spot for
children to convene and offers a selection of toys for
their amusement. |
"Christina O" is a destination unto itself; cruising
the fascinating Greek Isles or beyond aboard this magnificent
yacht is the realization of dreams come true.
For further information, please contact James Roumeliotis
of Azure International, at +30-6937-390-004 or in the U.S.
(toll-free) 1-877-369-1269.
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