Anyone lucky enough to charter 126.20m (413’11”) mega yacht OCTOPUS will be in awe of both her impressive scale and fascinating legacy, as they approach her towering decks from the harbourside, by helicopter or from her own glamorous limousine tender.
Luxury explorer yacht OCTOPUS – Jeff Brown
Originally built by Lürssen in 2003 for Microsoft founder Paul Allen, she fitted his brief for an industrial-style yacht who could carry a huge number of concealed tenders and toys. Naval architect Espen Øino rose to the challenge by creating an eight-deck masterpiece with a floodable garage, developed using a workable scale model. The project was ahead of its time considering the initial design was penned back in 1998.
Superyacht OCTOPUS wet dock
At that time she was considered the most advanced explorer yacht ever built and her interiors needed to be equally outstanding. Jonathan Quinn Barnett was put in charge and against advice from Allen’s team, went in the opposite creative direction from the owner’s two previous yachts. Barnett took a simple approach to the interior design, blending a neutral colour palette with wood panelling and other unique finishes to deliver a warm, comfortable and homely feel. Now, her walls are adorned with a gallery of images from the yacht’s adventures over the years, everywhere from Patagonia to Tahiti.
Swimming pool and bridge deck terrace
The original layout included a medical centre, storm cabin and professional recording studio – where U2, Mick Jagger and Usher are but a few who have spent time on board recording. The studio has now been reconfigured to become a contemporary bar and lounge with design from Monk Design, who have converted the vocal booth into a DJ booth and retained the soundproofing to make the area perfect for parties. Through vast doors on the bridge deck, there is a glass-bottom pool that, at the touch of a button, can be made into an on-water dance floor. The deck is the main outdoor social hub, where a huge al fresco dining table is accompanied by a bar, other more intimate tables and sun loungers around the pool. The refitting to make OCTOPUS ready for charters was carried out in 2021 with meticulous upgrades and maintenance ever since. The entertainment deck has everything you could imagine beginning with a serene observation lounge with views over the bow. The rest of the deck is dedicated to fun and includes a 15-seater cinema, a grand library complete with fireplace, a gym, smoothie bar and beauty salon with treatment rooms.
The Studio bar
The owner’s deck on level 7 is the ultimate ocean penthouse: A huge suite which includes a king-sized bed, lounge, study and his and hers bathrooms while the exterior decks provide private terraces for dining and sunbathing – plus a secluded jacuzzi. An exclusive observation lounge on deck 8 is a tranquil retreat that can only be reached from the owner’s suite.
Master deck stateroom
Master deck private jacuzzi
Twelve additional suites are across three deck levels with flexible accommodation to suit any configuration of family and friends or even researchers and scientists. In the past she has been used by ocean explorers in search of shipwrecks and maritime artefacts, and increasingly large explorer yachts will take scientific teams to remote locations to support marine and wildlife research.
VIP stateroom
During the build, 54 tonnes of AV and IT equipment was installed with 60 cables allocated to each cabin for computers, entertainment systems and touchscreens – exciting innovation in 1998. Touchscreens and iPads are still used as infotainment panels to control lighting, music and communications across the yacht.
Expeditions are accompanied by her incredible fleet of tenders including an 18m Delta 54’ tender with twin Volvo Penta inboard engines and a Custom Vikal International Limousine 9.34m tender’ who call the 36m internal wet dock home. Every water toy you could image is available for guests on board including wave runners, electric foils, kayaks and inflatables plus a fully equipped diving centre. A Triton submarine and ROV can be included on charters for those looking for something extra.
Superyacht OCTOPUS with her limousine tender
She boasts true explorer credentials with a range 12,500 nautical miles from two ABB electric motors and eight MTU 16V 4000 M50 diesel engines, plus she was the first yacht with dynamic positioning. Many explorer superyachts have since adopted forward thinking designs and ground-breaking technology inspired by OCTOPUS and she remains capable of anything!
OCTOPUS in the ice of Antarctica
Luxury explorer yacht OCTOPUS took her name from the project’s original nickname – christened by Lürssen Director Michel Breman’s daughter. The name has endured to this day as will the memories of a luxury charter on board – undoubtedly the trip of lifetime.
Explorer yachts and their crews love to visit extreme destinations so think big, but remember many regions have unique environmental challenges and charters should be planned in advance with the help of an experienced yacht charter broker.
Read more about luxury explorer yacht OCTOPUS and get in touch with our team today for more information about expedition charters around the world.
