M/Y "Christina O", the legendary yacht of Aristotle Onassis, is now available for the first time for private cruises. As the legendary yacht begins a new era in history, "Christina O" offers the opportunity to charter this yacht and become a part of her illustrious legacy - an option never before available on this particular private luxury mega-yacht.

"Christina O", once again takes to the sea to define a new category of luxury yachting. She has undergone the most extensive restoration of a private luxury mega-yacht in maritime history and is the first in the world to bear a passenger classification.
 

HISTORY Originally built in 1943 as a Canadian convoy escort, the yacht was purchased by shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1954. Onassis spent over $4 million to convert the ship, which he named after his daughter, into the most elegant and advanced private yacht afloat. The Christina was Onassis' "floating home" from 1954 to 1975. During that time, the vessel's guest list was the ultimate who's who of dignitaries and Hollywood stars, including such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, King Farouk of Egypt, opera diva Maria Callas and numerous others. John F. Kennedy first met Winston Churchill aboard the yacht and two of the most celebrated wedding receptions of the century were held on her decks - Prince Rainier to Grace Kelly and Onassis himself to Jacqueline Kennedy.

After Onassis' death in 1975, his daughter Christina donated the yacht to the Greek government. In 1998, the yacht was bought by John Paul Papanicolaou, an Onassis family friend and shipping industry leader. He began Christina's three-year restoration, involving meticulous research, engineering and craftsmanship. "We're thrilled to reintroduce the fabled "Christina O" in all her original splendor," he says. "Having been a passenger aboard the yacht in my youth, I feel a special pride in bringing her forth to sail into the new millennium. The extent and attention to detail of her restoration would make Onassis proud." Now, after more than a quarter-century, the yacht returns to sail into a new millennium in her original grandeur complemented by today's latest technology.

IN BRIEF
Launched : Summer of 2001
Destination : The Mediterranean (summer) and Caribbean Seas (Winter)
Refurbishment Cost: Over $50 million
 

DIMENSIONS & STATISTICS Overall length: 325 Feet Beam: 36.5 Feet Draft: 14 Feet Displacement (fully loaded): 2,250 Tons (approx.) Main Engines/Propulsion: MAN (2x 2,775 bhp) Cruising Speed: 19 Knots Cruising Range: 12,000+ Miles Passenger Capacity: 36 Crew: 34

Tenders and Water sports Equipment
Two-twelve passenger Hacker Craft mahogany tenders, water-ski boat, two jet skis, wind surfers and snorkeling gear. Classification/Standards Classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, the yacht fully complies with US Public Health requirements as well as the strict SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations for passenger vessels carrying up to 36 individuals.

Private Charters
Ultra-exclusive private cruising can be reserved for summer cruises in the Mediterranean and winter cruises in the Caribbean. Clientele can customize their own itineraries and experience private use of the yacht.

As her legendary past blends into the dawning of a new era, "Christina O" affords a first-time opportunity to experience the extraordinary lifestyle of the Onassis years replete with the modern touches of the 21st century.
 

At 325 feet in length, the magnificent yacht includes 18 staterooms, all named after Onassis' favorite Greek Islands, and the extraordinary Onassis Suite which is undoubtedly a centerpiece of the yacht. Carefully restored by an apprentice of the original craftsmen, the inlaid mosaic floor of the swimming pool rises at the push of a button to form a dance floor. The Lapis Lounge continues to boast the brilliant lapis lazuli fireplace to which it owes its name. Ari's Bar, where Onassis did much of his entertaining, retains the infamous bar stools covered in whale foreskin, which Onassis used to shock his guests. An original Renoir graces Christina O's walls and the grand spiral staircase with its onyx and silver handrail encircles the atrium.

In keeping with her former reputation as the most modern yacht at sea, today's state-of-the-art technology and conveniences have been seamlessly integrated with the signature details of the Christina O. Each stateroom boasts CD and DVD players with surround sound, the finest Venetian linens, and magnificent marble bathrooms. A fresh air system replaces the interior air approximately once every five minutes. The yacht now has a spa complex that includes a Jacuzzi with open-air bar, massage room, fitness center, sports lounge and more. Other amenities of the Christina O include a library, music lounge, show lounge, children's playroom, helicopter pad, beauty parlor and formal dining room. Beginning in the summer of 2001, "Christina O" returned to reclaim her dominance of the world's yachting scene and is available for those who want to become a part of her illustrious legacy.

Accommodations
The Christina O accommodates up to 36 passengers in 18 staterooms plus the Onassis Suite.
 

ONASSIS SUITE Comprised of three rooms - a large bedroom, bathroom and study - totaling 678 square feet, the Onassis Suite will provide the ultimate luxury shipboard accommodations with panoramic ocean views. The bedroom features a king-sized bed covered in fine Venetian linens, custom made furniture from Milan and Onassis' original Baccarat crystal wall lights. The wood-paneled study features the original onyx fireplace, leather furniture and handmade Austrian lamps and a writing desk features silver-embossed stationery. In the bathroom, which is complete with double sinks and a bathtub with six-head shower, LeFroy Brooks fittings complement the original rare marble finishes. The Onassis Suite features three large walk-in closets, two surround sound stereo systems with DVD and CD players and televisions.

STATEROOMS
Each stateroom, with dimensions ranging between 150 and 236 square feet, is named after one of the Greek Isles. Stateroom features include a double bed or two twin-sized beds with fine Venetian linens, seating area with antique prints of the Greek Islands, leather-inlaid secretaire, mirrored walk-in closets, surround sound stereo systems with DVD and CD players and views of the sea. Bathrooms feature six-head massage showers.
	The Christina O, famed for magnificent parties, can host events for up to 100 guests using interior facilities and up to 250 in the canopied deck spaces.

ARI'S BAR Perhaps the most famous spot on board, John F. Kennedy first met Sir Winston Churchill in Ari's Bar in 1957. The intricately detailed bar contains barrels and sea chests hinting of pirate treasure, whaling harpoons and an illustrated wall map of the world. The circular bar itself was originally crafted from the timbers of a Spanish Galleon, wound with heavy sailing rope and is adorned with footrests and handholds of ornately carved whales' teeth. It features a glass top over a lighted relief of the sea, which depicts the development of ships through history with tiny model ships that can be moved around by magnets. The bar stools are covered in whale foreskin, a fact that Onassis delighted in telling his guests.

 

LAPIS LOUNGE This elegant lounge owes its name to the breathtaking lapis lazuli fireplace, which is the focal point of the room where Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor once relaxed. Bookshelves surrounding the fireplace are filled with rare volumes. Fine pieces of art including a Renoir, Le Corbusier and de Chirico line the walls.

 

SWIMMING POOL / DANCE FLOOR Carefully restored by an apprentice of the original craftsmen, the floor of the bronze-bordered swimming pool is inlaid with an exquisite mosaic copied directly from the Palace of Knossos in Crete. With the push of a button, the bottom of the pool rises above the water to become a dance floor.

ATRIUM A majestic spiral staircase highlighted by an onyx and silver handrail circles the atrium, connecting the three cabin decks. A delicate mural winds up the surrounding wall and a central mosaic with the Christina Yachting emblem adorns the floor.

SPA COMPLEX Encompassing half the Promenade Deck, the spa complex includes a fitness center, massage room, sports lounge and beauty salon as well as the sumptuous Jacuzzi Deck, fitted with a large Jacuzzi, an open air bar and al fresco dining.

MAIN DINING ROOM The dining room can accommodate up to 40 people and features fine hand-finished tables, Venetian lace tablecloths, Waterford glassware, Ercuis silverware and a sunken marble floor.

 

LIBRARY Filled with books from around the world which are published in several languages, the library provides guests with a place to read some of the rare volumes or work at one of two writing desks.

 

MUSIC LOUNGE This lounge features a grand piano, Italian furniture by Giorgetti and Maria Callas memorabilia including her sole gold record.

 

SHOW LOUNGE Equipped with a presentation platform, Giorgetti furniture, and huge bay windows offering panoramic views, the Show Lounge houses video equipment and a stereo system.

 

CHILDREN'S PLAYROOM This brightly decorated room provides an ideal spot for children to convene and offers a selection of toys for their amusement.

"Christina O" is a destination unto itself; cruising the fascinating Greek Isles or beyond aboard this magnificent yacht is the realization of dreams come true.