Steven Spielberg’s Yacht: Inside His Luxurious Seven Seas Superyacht

When it comes to extravagance, Hollywood icon Steven Spielberg doesn’t hold back – even on the high seas. The Academy Award-winning director famously owns one of the world’s most expensive superyachts. His 86-meter motor yacht Seven Seas (now renamed Man of Steel) was built by top Dutch shipyard Oceanco in 2010, and it set a new standard for luxury. Packed with lavish amenities like a full-beam master suite, a private spa, a gym, and a theater, the Seven Seas truly exemplified Spielberg’s appetite for comfort and style . In recent years Spielberg sold that yacht and commissioned an even bigger sister ship, sparking headlines worldwide.

In this post we’ll dive deep into Steven Spielberg’s yacht life – from the history of his current and former yachts to their stunning interiors and amenities. We’ll also explore the broader world of celebrity yacht culture, luxury cruising trends, and what it means to own a floating palace. Along the way, we’ll draw on reporting from Business Insider, Bloomberg, Robb Report and more to give you the full story on Spielberg’s maritime adventures. Let’s set sail!

A Legendary Filmmaker’s Superyachts

Steven Spielberg isn’t just a legend in Hollywood; he’s also become a name in the superyacht world. For decades, Spielberg has enjoyed life on the ocean in style. His first custom yacht, the Seven Seas, was delivered in 2010 by Dutch builder Oceanco. At 86 meters (282 feet), it was one of the longest private yachts in the world. The yacht’s name – Seven Seas – was a personal nod to Spielberg’s seven children.

Over the years, Spielberg used the Seven Seas for global cruising and even chartered it out when he wasn’t aboard. According to Business Insider, he was renting the Seven Seas for about $1.2 million per month, making it one of the priciest charters around. The yacht became famous for ferrying Spielberg and his family to film festivals and exotic destinations.

However, as Spielberg himself joked, the 86-meter boat “just wasn’t enough boat” anymore. By 2015 he decided to sell the Seven Seas and step up to an even grander project. Over the next few years, he commissioned a brand new 109-meter superyacht – also to be named Seven Seas – which was delivered in 2023. While Oceanco (the builder) kept the owner’s identity under wraps at first, industry insiders widely speculated that Spielberg was behind this new megayacht. In fact, reports now confirm the new Seven Seas does belong to Spielberg.

The Original Seven Seas (2010 – 2021)

Spielberg’s first Seven Seas was the epitome of luxury. Its sleek black-and-white design turned heads in every port of call. Inside, every detail was crafted for comfort and entertainment. The main deck featured a full-beam master stateroom with a private terrace and a Jacuzzi. There was also a large VIP suite, plus several double and triple cabins for family or guests. In total, the yacht could accommodate 20 guests in 9 cabins (though some reports say it slept 12 guests comfortably).

Every guest was treated like royalty. For example, the Robb Report notes that Spielberg “spared no expense” on the original Seven Seas, equipping it with a spa, gym, pool, beach club, helipad, tender garage, and a full movie theater. (Yes, a movie theater – where else would the famous director watch his latest cuts?) Each stateroom even had huge flat-screen TVs or projectors. One source listed that the yacht’s perks included “huge screens in every room and a full movie theater”, along with a sauna, steam room, and multiple lounges and bars.

• Key Amenities (Original Seven Seas): Multiple decks with infinity-edge swimming pool, 15-foot glass movie screen, helicopter landing pad, on-board spa and massage room, modern gym, steam sauna, and sunning decks.
• Sleeping Arrangements: 1 master suite, 2 VIP suites, 3 double cabins, 1 triple cabin (total 9 cabins) accommodating around 20 guests.
• Crew: Room for 28 crew members to keep everything running like clockwork.

It was essentially a floating five-star resort – and it even carried tenders and water toys for ocean adventures. Business Insider put it this way: the Seven Seas was “packed with amenities… an infinity pool, a 15-foot glass movie screen, [a] helicopter pad, [a] gym, spa, and massage room, just to name a few”. Not surprisingly, the mega-rich director enjoyed cruising near private islands and top tourist spots in his ultimate comfort zone.

Selling Seven Seas for Big Bucks

In 2021, after more than a decade, Spielberg found a buyer for the original Seven Seas. It was a big deal in luxury circles. According to Bloomberg, Spielberg sold the yacht after having listed it for $158 million. Bloomberg reports that the buyer was Zekelman Investments, the holding company of Canadian steel magnate Barry Zekelman. In other words, the billionaire director sold it to another billionaire. The exact sale price wasn’t officially confirmed, but Forbes (via SmartYachts) reported the yacht went for around €130 million (about $150 million).

After the sale, Zekelman renamed the yacht Man of Steel (a playful nod, since Spielberg was the director of Man of Steel, the Superman movie). The sale ended Spielberg’s chapter with the original vessel, but he hadn’t given up on yachting at all – in fact, he was stepping up to something even bigger. As Bloomberg dryly noted, “Steven Spielberg has sold his superyacht, Seven Seas, after listing it earlier this year for $158 million”. Business Insider similarly reported that Spielberg let go of the $184-million yacht because “the 282-foot vessel is just not enough boat for him”.

Introducing the New Seven Seas (109m, 2023)

Not long after the sale, a brand new megayacht with the same name appeared on the scene. In 2022 Oceanco quietly launched “Project Y720”, a 109-meter superyacht, and by mid-2023 they celebrated the delivery of Seven Seas. Industry reporters note that Spielberg’s new yacht is 109 meters (357 feet) long, over 20 meters longer than his last one. It was commissioned in 2022 with a budget of about $250 million. Elite Traveler reports that the new Seven Seas was indeed built by Oceanco – the same Dutch yard that built the old one – and that it cost a whopping $250 million.

According to yacht industry press, Oceanco’s new Seven Seas was delivered in July 2023. The shipyard describes the yacht as having a “beautifully proportioned profile” with a sleek steel hull and extensive use of glass. As one specialist site notes, the exterior was penned by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and overseen by Lateral Naval Architects. It boasts over 4,444 gross tons of volume and is LY3-compliant (a classification that means it meets high safety standards for large ships). The vessel is powered by twin MTU diesel engines giving it a top speed of about 20 knots. In short, it’s a modern engineering marvel.

Inside, details remain under wraps (Oceanco didn’t release floor plans, and Spielberg likes privacy), but a few things are known. The American designer Molly Isaksen Interiors – who famously worked on the original Seven Seas – is on board again for décor. The yacht features “stunning combinations of natural materials and glass”, creating light-filled, airy spaces. Elite Traveler also confirms Molly Isaksen handled the interiors, blending Californian modernism with elegant European styles, much like she did on his last yacht. In fact, the shipyard notes that the owner (Spielberg) “played an integral role in shaping the design” of this new yacht.

All signs point to Spielberg’s personal tastes – state-of-the-art tech balanced with warm, natural elements – being infused throughout. For example, Oceanco teased that there will be lots of natural wood and glass inside, giving guests an “unparalleled outward-looking experience”. While we may not see the interior photos soon, it’s safe to imagine the new Seven Seas continues the legacy of its predecessor as a floating palace.

Amenities of the New Seven Seas

Based on reports, Spielberg’s 109-meter Seven Seas is equipped for epic luxury cruising. Industry sources say it accommodates 14 guests in 7 cabins, plus sleeping quarters for up to 30 crew. Just like the original, it has all the classic superyacht features. The yacht is reported to include:

• Wellness & Leisure: a gym, a spa with sauna/steam areas, and a swimming pool on deck. There’s even a beach club at the stern for lounging steps above the water.
• Extreme Entertainment: a private movie theater (because Spielberg!), plus multiple lounges, bars and huge windows for great views.
• Family-Friendly Space: A helipad for quick island hops, a tender garage for water sports toys and boats, and ample deck space for sunbathing or stargazing.
• Guest Quarters: Expansive cabins likely including a master suite, VIP suites, and double/triple cabins to host family and friends – enough for 14 people total.

In short, the new Seven Seas offers everything a billionaire movie director – or any guest – could want on the ocean. As Elite Traveler notes, “so there’s plenty of space for his entire family,” implying Spielberg can cruise in style with all seven of his children and more.

Inside Spielberg’s Yachts: Lavish Interiors & Features

Now let’s peek inside these yachts – or at least what we know about their interiors. One way to imagine life on board is to look at the collection of amenities and staterooms, which are on par with a five-star resort.

Original Seven Seas (2010):
The interior was designed by luxury specialists Nuvolari Lenard. According to SmartYachts (citing Forbes), the Seven Seas had nine lavish cabins. The owner’s suite alone featured a private terrace with a Jacuzzi. The main deck included a VIP suite and several double and triple cabins, meaning even large groups could stay aboard. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass screens filled each room with light. Other standout features of this yacht included:

• Infinity Pool & Beach Club: A swimming pool on deck that flows to the horizon, plus a lower-deck beach club with lounge sofas right by the water.
• Movie Screening: A high-tech glass movie screen (15 feet wide!) in the indoor cinema room. It made it feel like a private film festival at sea – perfect for a director.
• Wellness Center: A full spa area with sauna, massage room, steam rooms and beauty salon (just like the elite cruise ships).
• Sports & Fitness: A compact gym gymnasium with cardio and weights equipment, and even a basketball court net up top.
• Helipad: On the foredeck there was a helipad so Spielberg could land his helicopter and step aboard without docking the yacht.

Business Insider highlighted how the Seven Seas was “packed with amenities,” including all of the above. Imagining Spielberg strolling from his Jacuzzi suite to the pool and then to the theater feels like living a movie star’s daydream.

New Seven Seas (2023):
While we haven’t seen floor plans, the new yacht clearly steps up the game. The overall layout and design are similar in spirit but bigger. We know it boasts an exterior deck jacuzzi pool and likely multiple lounges for sunbathing and dining al fresco. Onboard entertainment systems will be state-of-the-art, and smart-home features (app-controlled lighting, climate, and media) are almost certain. The new yacht’s interior style is described as an “unparalleled outward-looking experience” thanks to huge glass walls.

Importantly, Molly Isaksen’s involvement suggests continuity in luxury. She is famous for blending modern Californian style with European elegance. For example, the Man of Steel (formerly Seven Seas) featured warm woods, cream leathers, and plush rugs with splashes of blue and teal – reminiscent of the ocean outside. We can expect similar tasteful combinations in the new yacht’s décor, but with a more spacious layout.

From the details given, we can compile a quick list of known new yacht features (some repeating from above):

• Guests & Cabins: 7 cabins for 14 guests. Likely including 1 master suite, 2-3 VIP suites, and 4+ guest cabins.
• Crew: Accommodations for 28–30 crew members to maintain service around the clock.
• Relaxation & Entertainment: Gym, spa, sauna, steam room, infinity pool on deck, beach club, multiple lounge areas, and a private cinema.
• Navigation: Glass cockpit and bridge with cutting-edge tech (exact details hush-hush). Possibly even a helipad again.
• Extras: Tender garage filled with high-speed boats, jet skis and diving gear for adventure.

Overall, the interior features of Spielberg’s yachts clearly focus on privacy, comfort and fun. Robb Report summed up the original Seven Seas by saying Spielberg “spared no expense,” opting for all the luxury staples: “nine generous staterooms, a spa, a gym, a pool, a beach club, a helipad, a tender garage, and a full movie theatre”. The new yacht simply amplifies all of that.

Celebrity Superyacht Culture: Living Luxury on Water

Spielberg’s passion for yachts is part of a bigger trend: superyachts as status symbols among the ultra-wealthy and celebrities. Today’s richest movie moguls, tech tycoons and sports stars often add a multimillion-dollar yacht to their collection of homes and jets. These vessels have become floating showcases – “palaces at sea,” as a Business Insider feature put it.

According to reporting on billionaire yachts, superyachts serve as ultimate privacy islands. As Business Insider noted, they provide “highly secluded leisure” and can be even more private than a luxury mansion. On a yacht, celebs can hide away in international waters, dine under the stars with friends, or host high-profile guests far from prying eyes. Giovanna Vitelli of Azimut Benetti said yachts are a “celebration of your success” – a glamorous way to enjoy wealth.

Who Else Is Cruising in Style?

Spielberg’s not alone. A whole list of famous people own or charter yachts:

• Tech Billionaires: Jeff Bezos’ 127m Koru, Mark Zuckerberg’s ~70m yacht (ex-Russian oligarch design), and Larry Ellison’s Musashi (88m) are examples. These ultra-rich love to be seen on their yachts, especially in places like the South of France or Caribbean parties.
• Entertainment Stars: Musician Billy Joel’s Steady (51m) and his smaller Moonstone (32m) were well-known; actor Johnny Depp owns Winky (party boat); composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has the Renaissance (80m sailing yacht). Even pop legends like Rihanna and Jay-Z are often spotted on luxury charter yachts.
• Sports Celebs: Soccer star Neymar charters huge yachts in Monaco, and Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen charter or own yachts too. Famed yachts include Lady S (83m) owned by Roman Abramovich, frequented by celebs, or Galactica Super Nova (86m), co-owned by Dustin Johnson and Justin Timberlake.

In many cases, the trend isn’t just ownership but sharing: celebrity yacht charters are booming. Some stars rent out their yachts when not in use. As mentioned, Spielberg did that with Seven Seas. Others like Amazon’s Bezos have support vessels (like Abeona that follows Koru), and famous families sometimes buy the latest builds from Lürssen or Feadship.

Yacht Design & Lifestyle Trends

What’s the newest craze in luxury yachts? For 2024-2025, several trends stand out:

• Eco and Hybrid Yachts: Builders are introducing hybrid engines and even solar power to reduce fuel use. Oceanco’s Black Pearl (350ft sailing yacht) got attention for its eco-credentials, and new motor yachts are gradually adding hybrid systems. Expect more celebrities to demand greener designs.
• Wellness Focus: Spas, gyms, even onboard yoga studios or hammams (Turkish baths) are common. Yachts are prioritizing health – from zero-speed stabilizers for comfort to nightlighting that mimics circadian rhythms.
• Technology: Smart home tech (controlling lights/temperature via phone), advanced navigation, underwater viewing pods, and high-speed internet everywhere.
• Expedition-Style Yachts: Wealthy owners are craving adventure. Some yachts are built to cross oceans and explore the poles, with features like reinforced hulls and long-range fuel tanks. Even Hollywood directors can go on an Antarctic cruise now.
• Celebrity Collaboration: Yachts sometimes feature design collaborations with famous architects, artists or fashion brands. For example, Ralph Lauren has his yacht Believe, and some owners hire luxury car designers to style their interiors. Spielberg’s yachts, for instance, reflect his personal style – classic yet warm and inviting.

According to Business Insider, the megayacht arms race continues as the richest people build bigger boats with more amenities: “Their boats are virtual palaces at sea, decked with amenities like gyms, spas, pools, nightclubs, and movie theaters”. Spielberg’s Seven Seas checks many of those boxes already.

Luxury Lifestyle: More than Just a Boat

Owning a yacht is about a lifestyle. It’s not merely a way to travel; it’s a mobile home, office, party venue, and private retreat all in one. Superyacht owners often have crews rivaling small hotel staffs. Day-to-day life on Spielberg’s Seven Seas, for example, might have included a personal chef preparing dinner in the galley kitchen, a team maintaining the spa and pool, and a 24/7 deckhand crew to launch tenders and jet skis.

When Spielberg isn’t using his yacht, he can dock it in glamorous marinas like Monaco or St. Tropez, where it becomes part of the town’s allure. Or he can sail it to secluded islands where paparazzi can’t easily follow. Owning a yacht also means joining an exclusive community – attending events like the Monaco Yacht Show or meeting other yacht owners at sea.

Another aspect is the charter market. Billionaires often lease their yachts out as floating resorts. The original Seven Seas was for charter; Business Insider noted $1.2 million per month. That rental income can offset maintenance costs. For movie-star owners, charting can be a relatively low-key way to enjoy celebrity; they can slip into vacation mode under a new name without fanfare.

Conclusion

Steven Spielberg’s journey from filmmaker to superyacht owner is a tale of ever-increasing luxury. His Seven Seas yachts – the 86m original and the new 109m one – represent the pinnacle of customization and comfort. With features rivaling a boutique hotel (pools, theaters, spas, and more), these yachts show how modern billionaires like Spielberg relax in style. According to Business Insider, even a $184 million yacht might not be “enough boat” for someone of his means.

We’ve charted Spielberg’s superyacht story: the historic original Seven Seas, its amenities and sale to a Canadian billionaire, and the delivery of a new, bigger sister ship. Along the way, we’ve seen how his yacht reflects broader trends in celebrity and luxury. Yachts today are status symbols, tech marvels, and ultimate escape vehicles.

Whether you’re a movie fan or a boating enthusiast, Spielberg’s yachts are fascinating. They give a glimpse into an ultra-luxurious lifestyle – one where the ocean becomes a personal playground. As Forbes noted (via yacht news sites), Spielberg’s dedication to “catching the superyacht bug” means we can expect even more impressive seafaring adventures from this legendary director.

In the end, Spielberg’s yachts show that for some people, the sky isn’t the limit – it’s just another great view from the sea.

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