The megayacht owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, worth $400 million, features a special snow room for the royal family to relax in during the scorching waves in Riyadh.
It's no secret that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has refined taste. This is particularly evident in his 133.9-meter yacht Serene, valued at $400 million, which sails as a testament to his taste.
The superyacht offers much more than its robust exterior, high price, and impressive length. Many elements in the interior make Serene a true masterpiece. One prominent feature is the snow room. This special room is cooled to minus 12 degrees and has real snow falling from the ceiling. In addition to the warm Saudi summers, the snow room is ideal for relaxation and a jump into the sauna.
The 133.9-meter yacht from Fincantieri shipyard was the first to include a snow room when it was delivered in 2011. Several motor yachts such as Faith and Ragnar have followed suit, but not all can boast such beautifully executed spaces like Serene.
This work by Reymond Langton Design studio stands out among other striking features and a seemingly endless list of amenities. Interestingly, the snow room is part of Serene thanks to its original owner, Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler. The deep-pocketed owner wanted a room on his yacht where actual snow would fall.
"The clients wanted a place on the yacht where they could enjoy real snow. When the client is from a cold country like Russia, where they're used to ice baths, it's quite normal. However, it's quite incredible to see this fresh, beautiful snow on a yacht—and quite surreal to look out the window into the sun and people in swimsuits."
This Italian-made yacht is so impressive that even billionaire Bill Gates couldn't resist its charms and rented it (for $5 million per week in 2014) for a few days for a family vacation.
What makes Serene so special that it stands out among a sea of superyachts? Serene is the largest yacht ever built in Italy and has over 400 square meters of interior space spread across seven decks, two helipads, and a hangar. Considering the large families that stay on the yacht Serene, the thoughtful Crown Prince has also installed a children's playground with a climbing wall. Depending on the entertainment needs, one of the two helipads can transform into another pool or dance floor. Serene is available for charter and offers a multitude of fun activities.
The yacht features a "between-decks" slide, an exciting underwater observation room, and plenty of toys. After a day filled with action, relaxation and rejuvenation can be found in the wellness and beauty centre, complete with spa facilities and a soothing hammam.
Before retiring to their cabins, guests can catch a movie in the open-air cinema or enjoy music and conversations in the piano and bar room.
How did the yacht end up in the hands of the Middle Eastern royal family? Prince Salman was on vacation in southern France in early 2016 when he spotted the magnificent luxury yacht on the coast. Not only did the stunning yacht catch his eye, but MBS immediately sent an aide to purchase it from Russian tycoon Yuri Shefler. Within a few hours, the yacht with two helipads, a submarine, and a nightclub became the property of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. He loves the yacht so much that he adorned one of the most expensive paintings in the world, Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, purchased for $450 million in 2017 (which is more expensive than the yacht itself).
