Luxury is often misunderstood as something that has a high price tag. While this is true in most cases, luxury is a lot more than buying something expensive, says Erwin Bamps, chief executive of Gulf Craft, a UAE-based luxury yacht and fibreglass boat manufacturer. 

Gulf Craft unveiled the Majesty 155, the UAE shipbuilder’s largest-ever, fly-bridge motor superyacht, which retails at $24 million. The superyacht was unveiled at the Majesty Yachts shipyard in Umm Al Quwain, and proves to be a welcome addition to the group’s portfolio. The largest and latest addition to its Majesty Yachts brand also demonstrates the company’s continuous dedication to the luxury yacht market.

“We understand that our customers have a genuine appreciation for opulence, and would like to experience the same lavish lifestyle and entertainment on water that they do on land. The Majesty 155 was crafted to provide a truly deluxe experience that has never before been available from Gulf Craft, as we continue our drive to gain market share.

“However, for somebody like me, luxury is the ability to switch off my phone and have quality time with my family and loved ones. The older you get and the higher you rise through the ranks, the more you realise that time spent with the family is one of the most precious things in life, a luxury really,” Bamps says.

He continues: “For most of our clients, luxury means the ability to escape the daily rush of life. Family time is luxury, the ability to switch off from a hectic lifestyle. Privacy is a very important reason VIPs buy boats.” 

“In fact, to have something personalised is a luxury in itself, isn’t it?” he muses. “Something that cannot be bought off a store shelf and has your name and personality written all over it. Something that makes you an individual and not a number in a world with billions of people. We are a semi-custom boat builder. Every boat we build is different – it carries the personality of the buyer. 

“Another luxury, of course, is space.” 

The pioneering Majesty 155 is Gulf Craft’s first displacement superyacht. At 155 feet (47 m), the Majesty 155 offers an ornately designed fountain on the sundeck, surrounded by a spacious seating area where passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the waters, and a beautiful waterfall that cascades from the rear sundeck into the Jacuzzi situated on the upper deck.

The owner’s first-class stateroom is furnished using only premium fabrics and leathers, with countertops constructed from Cappuccino Onyx and CremaMarfil marble. The dedicated cigar lounge within the owner’s stateroom features a ceiling crafted from genuine cigar leaves, adding a delicate yet artistic touch to the room’s alluring design. The stateroom balcony is another distinct feature of this superyacht, allowing owners to enjoy the panoramic seascapes from the privacy of their own room.

The lower deck guest staterooms are finished using the finest red and green onyx and Botticino Royal Marble. The superyacht has a dedicated beach club situated at the rear entrance, fully equipped with a pantry, a retractable television and a spacious lounging area. The lower deck also features a spacious garage behind the beach club, which can house a tender and two jet skis, all easily moved in and out by crane.

An elevator carries guests between the lower, main and upper decks. A second balcony in the main salon comes with a custom-made television, built to withstand all types of weather conditions, outside the upper deck seating area. The upper deck’s indoor lounge has huge windows affording unparalleled panoramic views.

Onlookers will be greeted by the underwater lights that surround the entire base of the superyacht, illuminating its commanding presence as it sets sail into the open seas, while maintaining a majestic night-time stature within its berth.

The Majesty 155 also boasts exceptional performance. The power of twin 2,011 hp MTU (motoren-und Turbinen-union) 12V 4,000 M63 engines provide excellent fuel efficiency and an ability to cover a range of over 4,200 nautical miles at an approximate maximum speed of 16 knots. 

Massimo Gregori Grgič of Yankee Delta Studio in Italy is responsible for the naval architecture of the Majesty 155.

The Majesty 155’s hull design allows for low fuel consumption, long-range capability, and incredible comfort. The 9.60 m beam gives large space inside and allows for even greater stability. The hull design was tank-tested in Italy, and the actual ship proves to perform above all expectations. She is easy to handle, stable, and quiet, leaving minimum wakes behind.

If these technicalities don’t matter to you, this is all you need to know. “A yacht is your own floating island. The ability to push off from the shore and just watch life from a distance, explore uninhabited islands or beaches and take a break...” concludes Bamps.