Leander was built by Peene Werft in 1994 and with a length of more than 245 feet it is the 55th largest superyacht in the world. Named after the first Royal Navy ship that the final stage builder, Sir Donald Gosling, served on, it is a yacht of incomparable luxury.
The Leander’s Captain Giles Cope commands a crew of 23-28, which includes a staff that takes pride in their “white-glove service”. The yacht’s cruising speed is 10-14 knots, its maximum speed is 18 knots. As lovely and graceful as the ship itself appears, it is the interior that often strikes guests speechless.
Inside Leander are luxury accommodations well beyond those of a world class hotel. One double VIP suite, 3 double guest cabins, 5 twin guest cabins and comfortable crew cabins all have private bathrooms. The double master suite has a private study, sitting room and massage room.
All these accommodations are on three floors and designed by English designers Katalin Landon & Pauling Nunns Associates and interior decorator Heinz Vollers of Hamburg. The décor is in the warm and charming English-castle style. The salon has comfortable armchairs and sofas, soft rugs, dramatic oil paintings and yellow and cream colors for tranquil atmosphere. There are several hundred DVDs for the viewing pleasure of guests.
The opulent Greek-style dining room seats 20 and has marble effect pillars around the room that dramatize the mural covering the forward wall. The ceiling is layered to give the impression of skylights and a faintly clouded sky. Guests dine on the finest cuisine and can access cozy and intimate bar on the Boat Deck any time they wish.
Leander also has a fully equipped gym, a swimming pool and an Observation Lounge located on the Boat Deck with tall wall to wall windows for 180 degree vistas.
The second most expensive charter in the world, one can enjoy Leander’s many comforts for a mere $490,000 per week plus expenses.
The Monaco Yacht Show 2009, the 19th edition of the show, is already fully booked up. That is quite stunning considering the economic slowdown. But it constitutes that the Monaco Yacht Show is still the leading high-luxury yachting show in the world. As told by show speakers, demand from the yachting industry has been higher than last year. Lots of companies wanted to book larger stands, so the number of double-decker pavilions was doubled, but that still wasn’t enough. There is a long waiting list for the exhibitors wanting larger exhibition areas as of this writing.