Trip Ideas Luxury Travel The World's Most Exclusive Address Is Actually on a Yacht — and Its 39 Apartments Just Hit the Market Take a peek inside the world's first residential superyacht. By Kristen Shirley Kristen Shirley Instagram Twitter Website Kristen Shirley is a New York-based luxury expert, writer, and editor who covers travel, fashion, fine watches, jewelry, wine, and spirits. She is currently a contributing editor to Forbes.com and Nobleman, and a freelance writer for luxury publications including Bloomberg Businessweek, Travel + Leisure, and Robb Report. Passionate about craftsmanship, rare gemstones, and supporting independent designers, Kristen began her career at Elle in the fashion department, where she trained under former style director Kate Lanphear before becoming the associate market editor. She later went on to become the luxury editorial director at Elite Traveler, where she led the print and digital teams and spearheaded a redesign of the print edition and the website. An avid traveler and foodie, Kristen is drawn to tropical destinations where she can scuba dive, sip rosé on the beach, saber Champagne, shuck oysters, and learn about all things caviar. * 10+ years of experience covering fashion, style, fine watches, and jewelry * Received an applied jewelry professional certificate from the Gemological Institute of America * Received the level 3 award in wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, which she passed with distinction * Received a bachelor's degree in French at Georgetown University * Studied abroad at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and attended international high schools in Frankfurt and London * Speaks French * Founder of La Patiala, a luxury encyclopedia that covers travel, food, wine, spirits, style, beauty, watches, jewelry, and lifestyle Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on November 17, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Few trips are as luxurious as one aboard a superyacht. Impeccable service, stunning surroundings, exceptional amenities, and divine cuisine all combine to create a unique experience that you may never want to leave. Pretty soon, you won't have to buy a superyacht of your own to live on one. In 2024, the superyacht Somnio will launch with 39 luxurious apartments — a true floating paradise. At 222 meters (or nearly 730 feet), and with 33,500 GRT (gross register tonnage), Somnio will be the largest yacht in the world by both length and volume. (The current record is Azzam, which measures 180 meters.) Somnio will cost a staggering €500 million and is being built by VARD in Norway. Courtesy of Winch Design Instead of the typical cabins aboard a yacht, every unit will be an ultra-luxury apartment with expansive windows. The smallest apartments are close to 2,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, while the largest spans over 10,300 square feet, including a nearly 4,000-square-foot private terrace. The interiors are completely bespoke, down to the layout. Somnio is working with three top design firms that specialize in yachting: Tillberg Design of Sweden, Winch Design, and Luttenberger Design. Courtesy of Luttenberger Designs Owners can choose the number of bedrooms and optional rooms, including a private kitchen, gym, or library. Every apartment will have a private outdoor space, a rarity among even the largest superyacht charters. (Most outdoor space is open to all guests aboard a yacht.) Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the apartments with light and allow for stunning views. Owners will be able to admire the iconic cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the New York City skyline, or even see polar bears and penguins in Antarctica — all from the privacy of their apartments. Courtesy of Luttenberger Designs Naturally, the amenities aboard are extensive. There's a large aft deck for days at sea, which includes a beach club with a lap pool and two large spas. There are plenty of loungers and outdoor seating so you can soak up the sun and the views. For water sports, head to the marina at the stern of the yacht, where there will be experts in fishing, diving, snorkeling, and more. There's also a helicopter landing pad for residents looking to arrive in style. Courtesy of Winch Design Inside, there are multiple restaurants and bars. World-class chefs will board at select destinations to cook their famous cuisine and immerse owners in local culture. There's a 10,000-bottle wine cellar with incredible vintages, a top-deck lounge and library, a movie theater, and the Connoisseur Club for fine spirits and cigars. Health and wellness are a focus aboard, too; Somnia will have medical care aboard, and there's a great fitness area and a spa, as well. Courtesy of Tillberg Design of Sweden Co-founder and captain Erik Bredhe, formerly captain of The World, a cruise ship-sized vessel with 165 residences, is certainly the man to lead such an ambitious undertaking. "Beauty may be found as much on the inside of Somnio as it is on the outside," he said. "As the only residential superyacht in the world, we are delighted to work with designers that complement our exacting standards. Our owners will experience only the best, as is befitting of a yacht of this nature." Ready to learn more? You'll need a referral or a private invitation, as the ownership list is closely curated and will be tightly guarded. Apartments start at €9.5 million. You can learn more about Somnio on its website. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit