16 photos
Photo: Burgess Yacht (composite)
The bigger the secret, the harder it is to keep it. This is a common life lesson you get from movies and books, but it clearly doesn’t work in the ultra-luxury segment of superyachts. Here, the bigger the secret, the longer it will be kept.
Golden Odyssey is one such secret, a $300 million secret. Delivered to her original owner in 2015, this vessel is an excellent example of the custom work that luxury shipyard Lurssen is capable of. Impressive in size yet elegant, loaded with premium amenities and luxurious finishes, yet capable of solid performance.
Almost a decade after its delivery, a controversial arrest, an equally controversial sale at auction, and a re-listing less than two years later, the Golden Odyssey remains a complete mystery. . Certain details about the build are known and have been revealed a bit more in recent listings, but they kind of just scratch the surface.
This is notable because we’re talking about a 123-meter (403.5-foot) megayacht, which is only the second time in recent years. To understand what a big secret the Golden Odyssey is, know that there are not a single photo of the supposedly luxurious interior.
Photo: Larsen
That’s even more remarkable considering Golden Odyssey was recently exhibited at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show, making her the largest vessel ever exhibited at the prestigious fair. There is no word yet on whether a buyer has been secured or the asking price.
An outstanding golden odyssey
Golden Odyssey is classified as a megayacht due to its size. Currently underway at Larsen, the car, dubbed ‘Project Tatiana’, has an internal volume of 7,960GT and was designed according to ‘the exacting and knowledgeable requirements of its owners’.
Its owner was Prince Khalid bin Sultan, who at the time owned the smaller Golden Odyssey as part of the Golden Fleet of the non-profit organization Khalid Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. When trading up, he relayed very specific demands directly to Larsen that were ultimately fleshed out in the larger Golden Odyssey.
Photo: Romeo United Yachts
The exterior design by Francis Design has been described as “balanced with distinctive lines from the bow to the center of the hull,” and the luxurious and ultra-elegant interior is the work of the late Alberto Pinto. Accommodation on board can accommodate 30 guests in 15 suites, with separate cabins accommodating up to 70 crew members. It’s no wonder, then, that brokerage firm Burgess describes Golden Odyssey as offering a “truly first-class experience.”
It features an owner’s deck consisting of two master suites, a spa and wellness area, and a private terrace with dining space and Jacuzzi. Designed as a self-contained space, the owner’s deck has everything from a treatment room, sauna and gym to outdoor dining and lounging without even having to be aware of other guests. .
That doesn’t mean it’s less impressive. The list includes luxury lounges and social areas, dining spaces, bars, wellness spaces including a fully equipped gym on the sundeck, an oversized beach club with swimming platform, an oversized swimming pool, a certified helipad, and a crowded pool with tender vehicles. Garage is listed. , RIB, and other water toys.
Photo: Romeo United Yachts
Details are sparse, but there’s little information needed to fire the imagination. The Golden Odyssey was valued at approximately $300 million and underwent a complete refurbishment in 2023. This is the kind of ship that offers just the best. exaggeration.
past controversy
In 2013, Prince Khaled secured a $120 million loan from Deutsche Bank Luxembourg through one of his management companies. He offered the Golden Odyssey as collateral even though he had two years left until delivery.
At some point, Prince Khalid stopped making payments, and the banks moved to take the assets offered as collateral. That’s one thing the 1 percent have in common with the average Joe who takes out a loan from a bank.
Photo: Romeo United Yachts
Deutsche Bank obtained a seizure warrant for the ship, which was to be carried out when it entered Malta for maintenance work. In 2022, after years of legal back and forth, the Golden Odyssey was reportedly sold to an unknown Chinese billionaire for $150 million, half its estimated price.
A major refurbishment took place the following year and now it is back on the market, with a new owner reportedly preparing to take delivery of his Larsen superyacht. In other words, the Golden Odyssey likely saw little use for many years before being arrested, auctioned, and then sent for repairs.
Mr Burgess describes it as “immaculately maintained”. All things considered, it’s almost new.
Not surprisingly, Golden Odyssey is listed at POA (Price on Application).
