superyacht in wellington today

Billionaire Richard Branson’s cruise ship spotted in Wellington harbour

Billionaire Richard Branson’s cruise ship is sailing into Wellington this morning, after a rough day in Napier.  

Resilient Lady, a 2,700-passenger, adults-only cruise ship, was spotted in the harbour this morning sailing towards the capital.  

The ship left Napier earlier in the week after its stop-off was blighted by power outages in Napier’s CBD caused by a cable fault.  

More than 200 properties were affected by the power cut.  

Virgin Voyages, which runs the Resilient Lady and her sister - Brilliant Lady - has struggled with delays and cancellations to sailings of both ships, citing “global issues”.  

The newest ship, Brilliant Lady, was due to sail from Miami on her maiden voyage in December last year but cancelled its sailings saying that the launch had run into unexpected issues in staffing and building.  

“Despite careful planning, Virgin Voyages is facing unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges that have delayed the introduction of Brilliant Lady. Virgin Voyages wants to make sure that when the ship launches, it can deliver the standards its sailors have come to expect from an award-winning brand like Virgin Voyages.”  

The cruise line said it would offer any affected guests between $500 and $1000 in onboard credit or the option of a full refund.  

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Afternoon Edition: 24 December 2024

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The Wellington Yacht: Specs & Cost

The wellington yacht: what you need to know about the ‘below deck’ vessel.

On the fifth season of the hit TV show Below Deck Mediterranean , the luxury yacht featured was the biggest boat in the series’ history. 1 Captain Sandy Yawn and her crew sailed charter clients around the Spanish resort town of Mallorca in The Wellington yacht. In actuality, the 184.5-foot luxury yacht is called The Wellesley and was only called The Wellington on the show. Outside of the show, the M/Y The Wellesley is available for charter. Don’t worry, there won’t be any reality TV cameras on board! Our team at Yacht Management South Florida Inc. provide a look at this vessel, as well as many other insights on our yacht maintenance blog , to let our current and future clients have a better idea of what's going on in the industry. 

M/Y THE WELLESLEY Details

Built in 1993 by Netherlands based custom yacht builder Oceanco, it went through a major yacht refit in 2016. Coming out to 184.5 feet or 56.2 meters in length, the superyacht has a cruising speed of 14 knots and can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots. Its exterior was designed by Gerhard Gilgenast and its elegant 1920s inspired interior was designed by Donald Starkey. Mahogany bedrooms, Italian linens, and painted portraits of Winston Churchill and Che Guevara smoking cigars are just a few of the details that bring in Jazz Age glamour to the vessel's interior.

"Obviously, they spared no expense when it comes to this. This owner really loves his cigars and his whiskey." – Captain Sandy Yawn 2

Accommodation & Amenities

With one master suite, one VIP suite, 3 triple cabins, and 2 pullman beds, M/Y The Wellesley accommodates up to 12 guests. The vessel can also accommodate up to 12 crew members to ensure a luxury experience for guests. Featuring an impressive collection of leisure and entertainment facilities, this superyacht is perfect for large family outings and corporate charters alike. Special amenities on the vessel include a large open deck space, a club lounge, a spillpool on the sun deck, a waterfall-equipped jacuzzi, a gym, and a cigar room!

The Wellington Yacht Cost to Charter

Charter rates for the M/Y Wellesley , known as The Wellington yacht on Below Deck Mediterranean , are seasonal, with summer charters costing a bit more than winter charters. Summer charters are from €230,000 or $273,500 per week plus expenses. Winter charters are from €220,000 or $259,500 per week plus expenses.

Yacht Management South Florida, Inc. specializes in complete yacht care . As such, we offer premier maintenance services at our South Florida marina including boat bottom cleaning , hull painting, and boat interior restoration . Our certified yacht technicians can also go to your yacht to provide dockside assistance and emergency yacht repair services . Contact us today to learn more about out our extensive maintenance services and first-class management program!

Additional Reading

• Get to Know The Yacht in The “Succession” Season 2 Finale
• List of Famous Yachts in Movies
• Gina Ragusa, Showbiz CheatSheet – ‘Below Deck Med’ Season 5 Yacht Is the Largest Ever On the Series
• Jenny Berg, Bravo – Take a Tour of Below Deck Med's New Yacht, the Largest in the Show's History

For all inquiries, fill out the form below and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible

Auckland shipyard launches $60m superyacht for secretive owner

A superyacht worth up to $60 million is floating at a marina on the Tamaki River in Auckland until this Saturday.

The 50m custom-built superyacht was launched today from the McMullen & Wing shipyard in Mt Wellington, a symbolic event which went smoothly, if slowly.

It was eased into the water at high tide and tugged a short distance to the private marina owned by the company where it will stay until being taken to Auckland's Viaduct to receive its finishing touches.

The yacht, which weighs 550 tonnes, is the largest McMullen & Wing has made.

Its owner, whose identity and nationality remained anonymous by request, planned to take the boat on adventures all over the world, said chief executive Michael Eaglen.

The boat's name was also a closely guarded secret, it is identified only by its yard number 1016.

The superyacht would set sail from Auckland's Viaduct in April, Mr Eaglen said.

"She's handing over in March. These are big complicated boats, there's a lot of systems to run up and test and prove. Once that's all done, she'll head off on a big world cruise."

Mr Eaglen said the boat's steel and aluminium body made it exceptionally hardy and suited for very hot and very cold temperatures, so it could truly be sailed anywhere in the world.

Its sister ship, Big Fish, which McMullen & Wing built in 2010, had spent large chunks of time exploring the Arctic Circle.

The combination of the superyacht luxury and expedition capability was what made this boat special, Mr Eaglen said.

"[This makes it] possible to do the incredible adventures this owner wants to do but still in the luxury of a superyacht."

The extent of the luxury on board was also being kept under wraps at the request of the owner, but it was revealed the boat had the capability to house up to 12 guests in luxury suites as well as 12 crew in en-suite cabins.

"I'm not allowed to speak about what's going on the boat," said Mr Eaglen, "but, in the course of the period until completion, readers in Auckland might notice some pretty interesting things being loaded on. She's certainly got the capabilities for some pretty neat adventures."

He said the yacht would be moored near the Viaduct Events Centre for anyone who wanted to come and take a look before it set sail, although no boarding would be allowed.

It will feature natural gardens on the bridge deck as well as large hot tubs on both sun deck and foredeck and an owner's suite with its own private garden deck.

The interior was designed by acclaimed Canadian naval architect Gregory C Marshall, who attended the Auckland launch today.

The yacht's range is 6000 nautical miles, it can travel at speeds of 15 knots and it has two 1000hp diesel engines for propulsion.

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