In the rarefied world of ultra-luxury yachting, there are superyachts, there are megayachts, and then, in a category of one, there is OCTOPUS. To call her merely a "yacht" is a profound understatement. She is a 126.2-meter (414-foot) floating headquarters for global adventure, a scientific research vessel cloaked in the raiment of supreme luxury, and a piece of maritime history in her own right. Built by the legendary German shipyard Lürssen and delivered in 2003, OCTOPUS was the vision of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, a man whose passions for technology, science, and music were built directly into her steel hull.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
Today, this iconic vessel is available for the first time for private charter, offering an experience that is genuinely unparalleled. But what does it cost to command such a vessel?
The headline charter price for the motor yacht OCTOPUS starts at $2,200,000 USD per week.
This figure places her firmly at the apex of the global charter fleet, making her one of the most expensive and exclusive yachts available for charter on the planet. This article will serve as a comprehensive exploration of that price tag. We will dissect what that $2.2 million (and up) truly buys, from the astonishing running costs and the "James Bond" level toys to the historic legacy of the vessel and the palatial, eight-deck world that charter guests inhabit. This isn't just a vacation; it's an expedition to the ends of the Earth, and this is what it costs.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
The Price Tag: What Does $2.2 Million Really Get You?
The $2.2 million weekly base rate is just that: the starting point. In the world of elite yacht charters, the price is almost universally quoted as "plus all expenses." Understanding this is key to grasping the true cost of a week aboard OCTOPUS.
The Base Rate: $2,200,000
This fee covers the hire of the yacht itself, its extraordinary crew of 42 to 45 highly-specialized professionals (from ice pilots and marine biologists to executive chefs and submarine operators), and the use of its incredible "toy box." This fee is for a 7-day, 8-night period. It is the price of admission.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
The APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance)
The "plus all expenses" component is managed via an APA, or Advanced Provisioning Allowance. This is a deposit, paid upfront, that covers all the variable costs of the charter. For a yacht of this size and complexity, the APA is typically 30% to 50% of the charter fee.
Let's do the math:
30% APA: $660,000
50% APA: $1,100,000
This additional deposit, which can easily exceed one million dollars, is used to pay for:
Fuel: OCTOPUS is a 9,932 Gross Tonnage ship with a 1A Ice-class hull and a 12,500-nautical-mile range. Her fuel tanks hold over 1 million liters. At a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, she consumes approximately 1,000 liters per hour. Fuel for the yacht, its seven tenders (including an 18.1m day boat), and its helicopters is a colossal expense.
Food & Beverages: For 12 guests, this is not just stocking a fridge. This is provisioning for bespoke, Michelin-star-level fine dining, 24/7. It covers any and all requested food, from rare caviars to specific snacks, and a cellar of fine wines, champagnes, and spirits, all tailored to the guests' preferences.
Port Fees & Taxes: Docking a 126-meter vessel in prime locations like Monaco, the Caribbean, or even specialized ports in Antarctica, incurs significant fees.
Specialist Guides & Services: If the charter is in Antarctica, the APA will cover the cost of specialist ice pilots or wildlife guides. If guests want a world-renowned dive master or a specific masseuse flown in, it comes from the APA.
Utilities: Communications (high-speed satellite internet), water, and other consumables.
The captain manages the APA account, and the charterer can review the expenses at any time. At the end of the trip, any unspent funds are returned to the charterer. More often, a top-up is required.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
VAT (Value Added Tax)
On top of the base fee and the APA, charters in certain jurisdictions, most notably Europe, are subject to Value Added Tax. This can add anywhere from 12% to 22% to the charter fee, depending on the country.
Crew Gratuity
While discretionary, a gratuity for the 45-person crew is standard practice for a charter of this level. The expected range is 10% to 20% of the base charter fee.
10% Gratuity: $220,000
20% Gratuity: $440,000
This cash-based "tip" is handed to the captain at the journey's end and is distributed among every crew member, from the chief engineer to the laundry steward, all of whom work tirelessly to create a seamless experience.
The All-In Cost
When you combine the $2.2M base rate, a conservative $800,000 APA, and a 15% gratuity ($330,000), the true "all-in" cost for one week of chartering OCTOPUS is more likely to be in the $3.3 million to $3.5 million range. This makes it a vacation reserved for a tiny fraction of the global elite.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
A Legacy of Exploration: The Paul Allen Era
To understand why OCTOPUS commands this price, you must understand her history. She was not built to simply cruise the Mediterranean. She was commissioned by Paul Allen as a platform for his boundless curiosity. With an exterior by the celebrated Espen Øino and an interior by Jonathan Quinn Barnett, she was a vessel of discovery from day one.
During Allen's ownership, OCTOPUS was a private vessel, but she was rarely idle. Allen generously loaned her for numerous scientific, research, and philanthropic missions, making her more akin to a private university's research fleet than a billionaire's toy.
Historic Wreck Discoveries:
Allen's passion for World War II history led him to form a dedicated research team. From the state-of-the-art control room aboard OCTOPUS, this team made some of the most significant underwater discoveries in history:
IJN Musashi (2015): After an eight-year search, Allen's team located the wreck of the Japanese "super battleship" Musashi at a depth of 1,000 meters in the Philippines.
USS Lexington (2018): The team found the long-lost "Lady Lex," one of the first American aircraft carriers, which sank in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Other Discoveries: The list includes the USS Indianapolis, USS Ward, USS Astoria, and the Italian destroyer Artigliere.
Scientific Contributions:
OCTOPUS has been used to study the coelacanth (a "living fossil" fish), explore the deep-sea ecosystems of the Antarctic, and even assisted Google Earth with its "Explore the Ocean" project.
Philanthropic & Rescue Missions:
The yacht was offered for a variety of missions, including an attempt to recover the ship's bell from the HMS Hood in the North Atlantic and a search for a missing American pilot off Palau.
This legacy is infused into the yacht. When you charter OCTOPUS, you are not just on a luxury vessel; you are on a ship that has found history, advanced science, and explored the planet's most remote corners.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
A New Chapter: The 2024 Refit and New Ownership
Following Paul Allen's passing in 2018, OCTOPUS was listed for sale and was purchased in 2021 by a new owner: Swedish billionaire Roger Samuelsson, founder of the medical technology company SHL Group.
The new ownership has opened this once-private vessel to the charter market, but not before a massive, nine-month refit at the Lloyd Werft / Blohm+Voss shipyards in Germany. This 2024 refit was a monumental undertaking, designed to prepare her for the next 20 years of service.
The refit included:
A 20-Year Survey: A complete mechanical and structural overhaul, ensuring she meets the highest modern standards.
A Full Repaint: She now sports a striking new dark blue hull, making her instantly recognizable.
AV/IT Upgrades: Her onboard technology, entertainment systems, and communications have been upgraded to the latest state-of-the-art.
Now managed by Big Blue Expeditions and available through elite brokers like Camper & Nicholsons and Burgess, OCTOPUS is being marketed as the pinnacle of the adventure charter experience.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
A Tour of the "Floating Headquarters": Onboard Amenities
Spanning eight decks, the 9,932 GT interior volume of OCTOPUS is cavernous. She is charter-coded for 12 guests, who are accommodated in 13 palatial suites. The remaining cabins are for the 45-person crew.
The Accommodation:
The Owner's Deck: The principal charterer has an entire deck to themselves. This includes a vast full-beam master suite, a private lounge and observation area, an al-fresco dining deck, and a private jacuzzi.
Guest Suites: The yacht features 12 other staterooms, including multiple VIP suites, double cabins, and twin cabins, all finished to the highest standards of luxury.
The Decks:
The sheer scale of OCTOPUS allows for amenities that are simply impossible on other yachts.
The Pool Deck: A massive aft deck features a large freshwater swimming pool, a full bar, and multiple lounging areas. The pool's floor can be raised to be flush with the deck, transforming the entire space into a huge dance floor or entertainment plaza.
The Wellness Deck: A dedicated spa and wellness center includes a spa, sauna, Hammam (Turkish bath), and a fully-equipped, professional-grade gym.
The Entertainment Deck:
Cinema: A plush, sound-proofed cinema with reclining seats and a professional-grade sound system.
Library: A quiet, wood-paneled retreat with a real fireplace.
Sports Bar: A full-service bar for watching games or socializing.
The Music Studio: A legacy of Paul Allen's passion, OCTOPUS features a professional, sound-proofed music studio with a piano, guitars, and recording equipment.
The "Nemo Room": One of the yacht's most magical features is a glass-bottomed underwater observation lounge in the bow, allowing guests to sit and watch the marine life pass by.
Basketball Court: A full-sized, enclosed basketball court is located on one of the upper decks.
An elevator connects the main decks, ensuring easy transit through the vessel.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
The "Toy Box": The Heart of the Adventure
The true "wow" factor of OCTOPUS, and a primary justification for her price, is her "toy box." It is, without question, the most extensive and impressive collection of adventure hardware on any charter yacht in the world.
Aviation:
OCTOPUS features two helipads. A single pad is on the bow, while a larger, twin-pad "touch-and-go" area is on the stern. Crucially, she also has a full helicopter hangar in her superstructure, allowing a helicopter to be stored safely, out of the corrosive salt air and protected from the elements. This is essential for polar expeditions.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
Submersible:
She carries a Triton 3300 submarine. This is not a toy; it is a serious exploration vehicle capable of taking a pilot and two guests to depths of 3,300 feet (1,000 meters). This allows charter guests to experience the deep sea, exploring reefs, wrecks, or the alien life of the ocean's twilight zone in perfect comfort.
The Internal "Flooding" Marina:
This is a feature straight out of a James Bond film. A large section of the yacht's stern opens and floods with water, creating an internal "wet dock" or marina. This allows the submarine and the yacht's primary tenders to be launched and retrieved in a completely safe and controlled environment, regardless of the sea conditions outside. For deploying a submarine in the icy waters of Antarctica, this feature is not just a luxury; it's a necessity.
The Tender Fleet:
OCTOPUS carries seven tenders in her vast garages.
The "Limo Tender": The "tender-in-chief" is an 18.1-meter (59'5") Delta Powerboats tender. This is a large, fast, and luxurious day boat in its own right, used for whisking guests to shore in ultimate comfort.
Other Tenders: The fleet also includes landing craft for beach and ice-landings, high-speed RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) for diving and watersports, and smaller utility tenders.
OCTOPUS yacht charter
The Dive Center:
This is a professional, PADI-certified dive center, not just a collection of gear. It features:
A Hyperbaric Chamber: This is a critical safety feature for a yacht that encourages deep and remote diving. It is used to treat decompression sickness ("the bends") and is a piece of equipment found on almost no other charter yacht.
Full Scuba Gear: Dozens of sets of high-end dive gear, compressors, and everything needed for a professional diving expedition.
The ROV:
For exploring depths even the submarine cannot reach, the yacht is equipped with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), which can be piloted from the control room to explore wrecks or marine geology thousands of meters down.
Watersports:
Of course, she also has the full complement of standard superyacht toys:
4 x Yamaha FX140 WaveRunners
1 x Stand-up Yamaha Superjet Jet Ski
Kite Surfers & Windsurfers
Kayaks, Paddleboards, and Surfboards
Full deep-sea fishing equipment
Towable toys and inflatables
OCTOPUS yacht charter
The Itinerary: Where Can You Go?
The answer is, quite literally, anywhere.
With her 1A Ice-class hull, OCTOPUS is one of the very few yachts of her size capable of safely and comfortably navigating the polar regions. Her 12,500-nautical-mile range means she can cross any ocean without refueling.
Her charter calendar reflects this unique capability:
Antarctica (Winter 2024/2025, 2025/2026): This is her flagship destination. A charter here is the ultimate expedition. Guests can use the helicopters to fly over vast icebergs, visit remote penguin colonies, kayak through pristine ice-flows, and take the submarine for a dive under the ice sheet.
The Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland): In the northern summer, she explores the Arctic, offering similar polar adventures but with a chance to see polar bears, walruses, and the Northern Lights.
The Tropics (French Polynesia, Southeast Asia - Summer 2025): OCTOPUS is not just a cold-weather boat. Her beach club, pool, and armada of water toys make her an exceptional platform for exploring the remote atolls of the South Pacific or the idyllic islands of Southeast Asia.
An itinerary for a week on OCTOPUS is not a fixed route. It is a bespoke plan, created by the captain, the charter manager, and the guests. It is built around their desires, whether that's diving a remote wreck, heli-skiing a virgin mountain, or simply relaxing in the most beautiful and secluded bay imaginable.
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| OCTOPUS yacht charter |
The Conclusion: A Category of One
The $2.2 million per week charter price of OCTOPUS is, by any measure, an astronomical sum. But OCTOPUS is an astronomical vessel. She is in a category of one.
There are other large luxury yachts. There are other explorer yachts. There are no other yachts that are both, at this scale, with this history, and with this level of equipment.
The fee represents the entry price to a platform that can do what no other charter vessel can. It pays for the 45-person crew who run it with military precision. It pays for the ability to launch a submarine and a helicopter in the Antarctic. And it pays for the privilege of inhabiting, for one week, a living legend of the seas.
For the 12 individuals who charter her, OCTOPUS offers not just a vacation, but a platform to write their own history, a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience that is, by all accounts, unmatched in the world of luxury travel.