29 Most Expensive Celebrity Yachts, Ranked by Value

Celebrities consistently create demand in the private yacht market. If a celebrity’s net worth is in the high millions or more, they can certainly afford to indulge in luxury superyachts, which can cost well into seven figures or more and have six- to seven-figure annual operating costs.

The main reason that celebrities like yachting is that they can enjoy intimate, low-key trips with friends and family, out of reach of paparazzi cameras. Tiger Woods enjoys personal time aboard his yacht so much that he named the ship Privacy and even sleeps on board when he travels to golf tournaments.

Even if celebrities don’t own a yacht, they may charter them, as Rihanna and Beyonce do, for quiet time away from the spotlight. After traveling on a friend’s yacht, or chartering one, a celebrity may decide to take the plunge and buy one themselves. That’s what happened to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling after she chartered actor Johnny Depp’s yacht. The Beckhams decided to get their own vessel after spending summers on the Mediterranean with their good friend Sir Elton John on his yacht Wabi Sabi. Some celebrities, such as Apple founder Steve Jobs, singer Billy Joel or fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, were involved in every step of creating their own customized yacht. 

So, which celebrity yachts are the most expensive and extravagant? We made a list of the top ones — some of which have been sold in recent years, possibly due to their high operating costs, but will always be identified with their iconic celebrity owners. We then ranked the yachts by their current value, adjusted for inflation.

Value: Unknown

Celebrity owner: David Gilmour

Year built: 1911

Where it’s currently located: Hampton, London

This 88.5-foot vessel is a houseboat turned into a floating recording studio. Pink Floyd’s lead guitarist David Gilmour bought Astoria in 1986 and repurposed it to record albums. In some of Pink Floyd’s songs, you can hear the sound of boats and birds from the river.

The vessel was originally commissioned by music hall producer Fred Karno and designed to seat a 90-piece orchestra on the top. Astoria has three main cabins, a central saloon, a kitchen and bathroom. Interesting fact: The vessel has never sailed and is permanently moored on the  River Thames.

Value: Unknown

Celebrity owner: Princess Caroline of Monaco

Year built: 1936

Where it’s currently located: Monaco

The yacht was originally commissioned by Walter Crooke from British shipbuilders Camper and Nicholsons and named the Arlette II. The 119-foot ship had numerous owners over its first 50 years. Princess Caroline and her late husband, boat racer Stefano Casiraghi, bought the yacht in 1990.

The name was created from the names of the couple’s three children, Pierre, Andrea and Charlotte. The Pacha III was restored to the original 1930s design with an oak and mahogany interior, panelled ceilings, brass accents, marine lamps and club chairs. The ship accommodates up to 10 guests and six crew members.