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When you are one of the most famous people on the planet, where do you go to get away from it? We mean really get away from it all. It seems as if the prying eyes of the paparazzi are everywhere. For many celebrities, they have turned to the one place where luxury meets the ultimate in privacy, the open sea. Yachts have become the new playground for the rich and famous, offering them an escape from the world, at least for a time, without having to skimp on the amenities they are so accustomed to. It’s no wonder that the bigger the star, the more extravagant the ship.

At Anita Dee Yacht Charters, we wanted to get a glimpse into the yachts that cater to some of our favorite celebrities and personalities. From singing sensations to mega-hit directors, here is a look at some of the most extravagant yachts on the ocean.

Steven Spielberg

With hit movies like E.T, the Indiana Jones series, Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan under his belt, Steven Spielberg is a Hollywood heavy hitter. He is arguably one of the most prolific and influential directors in the history of cinema. A man with those credentials can’t settle for anything less than a blockbuster, and that goes for his choice of yachts, as well. Yes, the director of Jaws isn’t afraid of the open ocean, not when he is sailing on his yacht, Seven Seas. Seven Seas is a $200 million megayacht that boasts one of the best pools on the high seas. It also includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a jacuzzi, gym, and, of course, a movie theatre sized screen. It’s Steven Spielberg, would you expect anything less?

Oprah

The reigning “Queen of Daytime Talk” is also competing for the title of “Queen of the Open Seas.” Billionaire Oprah Winfrey owns a $60 yacht that she calls Trending. The ship can accommodate up to 12 of Oprah’s most fabulous guests and includes a gym, jacuzzi, and multiple bars, in addition to a wide selection of water toys. Want to try and live like Oprah? It’s going to cost you—you can charter the ship for $238,500 per week plus expenses.

Beyonce

Not to be outdone, Beyonce lays claim to the 213-foot-long Galactic Star. It can accommodate up to 12 guests just like Oprah’s Trending, but it also includes a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, and helipad. This yacht is decked out with the finest amenities fit for a queen, Queen B that is.

Nicolas Cage

Nicholas Cage is no stranger to indulging in his every whim. In addition to his numerous homes and real estate, he has also spent his hard-earned Hollywood money on some 22 cars, 47 pieces of artwork, and even a dinosaur skull. One of his more down-to-earth purchases was the yacht, Sarita. The yacht is decked out with wood-paneled walls, lush carpets, and manly leather furniture. It also features a pool, a large sunbathing deck, and a jacuzzi to unwind in. If relaxing isn’t your speed, it also includes fishing gear, Wave Runners, water skis, kayaks, and snorkel equipment.

David Gilmour

You may not recognize his name, but you’d recognize his guitar work anywhere. David Gilmour is the legendary guitarist for Pink Floyd, and he owns one legendary ship. The Astoria may look old-fashioned in appearance, but this is one modern piece of luxury. The Astoria is considered one of the world’s largest superyachts. Of course, it includes your typical yacht amenities, but this is the yacht of a guitarist, so it’s only fitting that it also includes a recording studio. Gilmour recorded parts of the last three Pink Floyd albums from aboard the yacht.

Roberto Cavalli

His name is synonymous with luxury designs. That’s not only true of his fashion empire, it’s true of his yacht as well. Italian designer Roberto Cavalli took inspiration for his yacht, Freedom, from Hollywood. The black and grey ship, with its sleek design and tinted windows, is meant to be an homage to the Batmobile. While the exterior may be the Batmobile of the sea, the interior of the ship is 100% Cavalli. The cabins and saloons are adorned with his signature animal-print furnishings, a far cry from the utilitarian look of the caped crusader’s signature vehicle.

Family of Steve Jobs

The late founder and genius behind Apple never got to see the yacht, Venus, to fruition. It was completed after he lost his battle to cancer. Owned by his family, Venus would make any tech-junkie proud. It is extremely private and features a variety of high-tech devices. Not surprisingly, it is outfitted with numerous Apple computers, and it also has seven Mac screens on the bridge. What other secrets does this luxury liner hold? No one really knows, it’s so private that no interior images of the ship have ever surfaced.

Yachts offer our favorite celebrities unlimited entertainment with maximum privacy. They are the perfect mix of luxury and sweet escape. It may seem like the yachting lifestyle is out of reach for everyone but celebrities, but that isn’t the case at all. Anita Dee Yacht Charters is Chicago’s premier private yacht charter company, and we offer you the VIP experience of a celebrity.

Docked in the heart of downtown Chicago, we have vessels that can cater to large celebratory gatherings or small intimate affairs. We are the place to go-to for the celebrity experience of a lifetime aboard one of our luxury yachts. From special events, weddings, or even corporate gatherings, let us show you why we reign supreme in the waters of Chicago. The VIP experience is not out of reach, contact us at (312) 379-3191 to find out how we can turn your yachting fantasy into a reality.

Being in the yachting business, we are always very excited to see the latest trends and technology emerging in the yachting world today. The industry has come a long way from the transportation ships of yesterday to the sleek luxury liners of today. The yachting industry is embracing new technology like never before. The result—innovations in manufacturing and design, and luxury the likes of which we haven’t seen before.

At Anita Dee Yacht Charters, we’ve gathered what we think are some of the most interesting and promising innovations happening in our industry right now. The ideas of today are turning into the trends of the future, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

3-D Printing

3-D printing is offering new and interesting ways to create things. While we love the fact that 3-D printing is being utilized for everything from toys to medical devices, we have to admit, we are a little shocked to hear that a Canadian yacht designer thinks that 3-D printing is the future of yachting technology.

Gregory Marshall thinks that it could be possible to print an entire yacht using the technology. While an entire luxury yacht being printed may be hard to swallow, Marshall thinks it’ll only be a matter of time. He sees the first step as printing large component parts with a 3-D printer and, from there, he believes the jump to a full-sized vessel is only a few more years away.

Wi-Fi

Today, Wi-Fi is just another piece of technology we’ve come to take advantage of. We rely on it every single day and yet rarely think of what our lives would be like if it were suddenly unavailable. When it comes to taking advantage of Wi-Fi at sea, those in the know understand that coverage on the sea is spotty at best, and extremely expensive at worst.

Imagine being able to sail the ocean and have access to live entertainment, sporting events, and other streaming services. That’s what the incredible minds at Google are working on right now. Project Loon by Google is an enterprise that seeks to deliver Internet access to even the most remote locations. Balloons could give you access to the world, no matter where in the world you’re located.

4K Ultra HD video

The 2019 Monaco Yacht Show gave us a glimpse into the future, and that future is 4k. Today, 4k video resolution is a must in today’s luxury yachts. 1080p is so last year. The most decked-out, private yachts are upgrading their entertainment centers with the latest in 4k technology, offering more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and a picture so sharp, it could slice through butter.

Multihulls

The demographics of yachting is beginning to change. We are seeing younger generations become interested in yachts. These younger people have new ideas and different priorities when it comes to vessels, and that is helping to change the industry. One of those changes may be that multihulls could become the new normal. Multihulls are more efficient and that is important to a growing section of the yachting community. There is more talk about hybrid propulsion, eco-friendly boats, and more interest in lessening environmental impact.

Green Technology

Along those same lines, we are also seeing technology being used to create more eco-friendly yachts. The Black Pearl is considered one of the largest sailing yachts in the world, but it is also one of the greenest, as well. It uses a hybrid propulsion system and also utilizes solar power. It even includes a waste-heat recovery system. All of this technology combined may make it one of the most environmentally friendly ships on the seas, but utilizing any one of these green technologies in more yachts is a move in the right direction.

World Explorers

It isn’t enough anymore to just get away. More and more owners are pushing the boundaries of exploration and their yacht is the perfect means. Yacht owner Neville Crichton sees the future of yachting as one where owners seek out new and exciting, even more remote destinations. It feeds the thrill of adventure while letting people explore the world away from the hustle and bustle of others. It offers more privacy and more opportunity for seeing the world in ways no one else can, plus with the advances in technology and the ability for yachts to carry more toys, no matter how far you roam, you’re never without comforts or entertainment.

Just as our world continues to evolve and transform, so too does the yachting industry. No one is content to sail against the winds of innovation. The industry is expanding and finding new ways to use technology for the betterment of owners and the environment. This glimpse into the latest technology making its way into yachting is an exciting picture of the future of the industry and sailing in general. Innovators are always pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

At Anita Dee Yacht Charters, we love looking ahead to what is possible and what our future could hold. Incorporating these types of technological advancements may start at the top, but we look forward to being able to utilize technology in new ways in our own fleet. Our goal is to always be on the lookout for the newest and most innovative ways to keep our guests in the lap of luxury.

Whether you’ve been out on a yacht before and loved every minute of it or are new to the experience, Anita Dee Yacht Charters is Chicago’s premier private yacht charter service. We pride ourselves on offering you a VIP experience you and your guests will never forget. Weddings, social events, corporate events, we can handle it all with elegance and luxury. Take in Chicago as you’ve never seen it before with a yacht charter from Anita Dee Yacht Charters. Give us a call for more information on how to book your next event. We are passionate about helping you make memories that will last a lifetime.