Hey everyone, and welcome to what I promise will be the most satisfying breakdown you’ve ever read on ultra-luxury yacht charter pricing. You’ve probably seen the dizzying headlines—millions of dollars, endless expenses—but today, we’re peeling back the velvet curtain on one specific, iconic superyacht: M/Y MARIU.
And trust me, this isn’t just any 50-meter vessel built by the storied Italian yard Codecasa. This is a floating masterpiece steeped in minimalist, high-fashion DNA, originally conceived and styled by none other than the titan of timeless elegance, Giorgio Armani.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
When you see a price tag on a yacht like MARIU, you’re not looking at a hotel room rental; you’re looking at a carefully curated, bespoke experience. I’m going to show you exactly what that price is, and more importantly, what the hidden, true cost is. Because the base fee? That’s just the cover charge. The real luxury lies in the next two hidden line items.
Ready to dive in? Let's go.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
Section 1: The Legend of MARIU – Codecasa Meets the Catwalk
Before we even talk numbers, we have to talk pedigree. The satisfaction score for this charter starts with its origin story.
I’ve always been fascinated by how design translates across mediums, and Codecasa is a yard that truly understands performance blended with Italian classicism. They are renowned for their robust, yet elegant, steel-hulled motor yachts.
MARIU, delivered in 2003, is a 49.9-meter (164-foot) semi-displacement masterpiece. The naval architecture and exterior lines, handled by Codecasa themselves, are sleek and powerful. But the real game-changer is the interior.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
1.1 The Armani Effect: Minimalism Defined
Think about the Armani brand. It’s not about loud logos or ostentatious displays of wealth. It's about texture, silhouette, and supreme quality. Giorgio Armani, who commissioned the yacht and named it after his mother, Mariù, brought this exact philosophy onboard.
This is where the high information gain starts. Unlike many contemporary yachts filled with glossy marble and bright, contrasting colors, MARIU’s interior—done in collaboration with Ortelli Architetti and using pieces from the Armani Casa collection—is a sanctuary of soothing neutrality.
What I love about the design:
The Palette: It’s all about bleached oak, rustic wide teak floorboards, and supple leather furnishings. The color scheme is a masterful study in beige, cream, and taupe—monochromatic, quiet luxury at its best. It forces you to notice the details: the texture of the materials, the shadow lines, the quality of the finish.
The Contrast: The exterior is painted in a unique, deep charcoal grey. Armani chose this color to reduce the contrast between the hull and the water, giving the entire vessel a cohesive, integrated look that is incredibly sophisticated and understated. It literally melts into the sea.
The Details: Look for the bespoke aluminum ceilings that subtly reflect light, adding a modern, industrial-chic touch without feeling cold. This is the difference between expensive and designed. Every element feels intentional.
The vessel boasts a Gross Tonnage (GT) of 594, which is generous for a yacht of this length, ensuring ample volume for its luxurious accommodations. It can comfortably host 12 guests across six impeccably designed cabins.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
1.2 Refits and Reliability: Why Age is Just a Number
A yacht built in 2003 needs continuous love to command a modern charter rate. And MARIU has received it.
The search results show multiple refits, with major overhauls in 2020 and 2022 (some sources suggest ongoing maintenance into 2024), including new engines. This commitment to maintaining—and upgrading—the engineering and guest spaces ensures that while the design is timeless, the technology is current. You get the classic Codecasa build quality combined with modern reliability and zero-speed stabilizers, meaning she won't rock when you're anchored for dinner.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
Section 2: The Core Numbers – Understanding the MARIU Charter Price
Alright, let’s get into the brass tacks. What is the sticker price for a week aboard a floating Armani showroom?
2.1 The Base Charter Rate
The rate structure for MARIU is straightforward but variable based on the season and location (primarily the Mediterranean, especially Greece and the Cyclades).
| Season | Base Weekly Charter Rate (EUR) | Base Weekly Charter Rate (Approx. USD) |
Low Season (e.g., April, May, late Sept, Oct) | €185,000 | Approx. $200,000 |
High Season (e.g., June, July, August, early Sept) | €225,000 – €245,000 | Approx. $242,000 – $264,000 |
(Source: Major Charter Broker Listings 2024/2025)
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
When you see that base rate of up to €245,000 per week, your immediate reaction might be, "That's the price!"
Spoiler Alert: It's not.
This is the single biggest misconception I want to clear up, and it’s where the high information gain truly separates this article from others. That base rate covers the hire of the yacht, the crew’s salary, and the insurance on the vessel itself. It does not cover almost anything you will actually use during your charter.
To understand the real cost, we must introduce the two most important abbreviations in luxury chartering: VAT and APA.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
2.2 The Hidden Tax: Value Added Tax (VAT)
Depending on where you pick up and drop off the yacht, and the flag state of the vessel, VAT will be applied to the base charter fee.
Why this matters and how it changes the price:
Cruising in EU Waters: If you start and finish your charter within the same EU country (e.g., picking up and dropping off in Naples, Italy, or Athens, Greece), local VAT is usually applicable.
Greece, MARIU's Hotspot: Chartering in Greece typically involves a reduced VAT rate for yachts that qualify (which usually requires them to be commercial vessels like MARIU). However, this rate can still add significant percentage points (historically ranging from 12% to 24%, depending on the exact itinerary and local laws at the time of booking).
Non-EU Waters (e.g., Montenegro/Turkey): If your itinerary is planned carefully, starting or finishing in a non-EU country allows you to potentially minimize or avoid the tax on the charter fee entirely.
Personal Takeaway: If your base rate is €245,000, and you charter entirely in the French Riviera (where high rates apply), you could easily be adding tens of thousands of Euros just in VAT. Always work with your broker to understand the routing to minimize this legal obligation.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
2.3 The Real Cost of Luxury: The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)
This is the secret key to unlocking the MARIU experience.
The APA is a standard yachting industry practice. It's an additional sum of money, calculated as a percentage of the base charter fee, which is paid in advance to cover the operating expenses of your week.
The MARIU APA calculation:
The APA typically ranges from 30% to 40% of the Base Charter Rate. Given MARIU's size and high-performance engines, I would budget on the higher end, especially if you plan an ambitious itinerary.
| Base Rate (High Season) | APA (40% Estimate) | Total Initial Payment (Excl. VAT) |
€245,000 | + €98,000 | €343,000 |
This €98,000 (or more) is what is placed on account with the Captain. It's the operational budget for your week.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
What the APA covers (and what separates the satisfied charterer from the disappointed one):
Fuel: For the yacht itself (cruising, anchoring, running generators). Given MARIU's cruising speed of 14 knots, with a fuel consumption rate of about 620 liters per hour, extensive cruising eats up the budget fast.
Food and Beverages: Every custom meal, every rare vintage wine, every specialty cocktail.
Dockage Fees: The cost to dock at prestigious marinas like Mykonos, Portofino, or Ibiza. These can be astronomical—often thousands of Euros per night for a 50m yacht.
Communications: Satellite internet (VSAT broadband) usage.
Water Toys Fuel: Jet Skis, tenders, etc.
The high-satisfaction factor: The APA is tracked meticulously by the Captain, and at the end of the charter, you receive a full accounting. If you underspend, the balance is returned. If you overspend (e.g., requesting a case of rare champagne mid-week, or deciding last minute to jet from Santorini to the Amalfi Coast), you will be asked to top up the fund.
The Real Price Conclusion: A one-week high-season charter on MARIU, cruising comfortably through the Cyclades, will require an estimated initial outlay of €343,000 to €370,000+, depending on VAT and itinerary. This is the truth behind the base price.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
Section 3: The Value Proposition – What That Price Actually Buys You
Now that we know the money, let’s talk about the value. Because a quarter of a million Euros a week is only "worth it" if the experience is truly non-replicable. And MARIU delivers.
3.1 The Crew: 11 Personal Architects of Experience
MARIU carries a substantial crew of 11 for 12 guests. The crew-to-guest ratio is nearly 1:1, which is the gold standard for personalized service.
When you charter a highly referenced yacht like MARIU, you are not just hiring people to drive the boat and cook food. You are hiring:
A World-Class Chef: Capable of catering to any dietary restriction, providing bespoke menus, and executing formal dining that rivals Michelin-starred restaurants.
Highly Trained Stewardesses: Who anticipate your needs—knowing your preferred coffee order before you ask, preparing the perfect post-swim towel setup, and maintaining the immaculate Armani-designed interior.
A RYA Water Sports Master: This is a crucial detail. MARIU is an Approved RYA Water Sports Centre. This means the crew can officially certify you or your family members to use personal watercraft (like Jet Skis) even if you don't hold a license. This is a massive bonus for adrenaline seekers and families with older children.
The 11 crew members ensure seamless, invisible service. I believe this level of preemptive service is the single largest justification for the charter cost.
3.2 The Ultimate Water Toy Garage
MARIU isn’t just about looking chic; it’s about active fun. The toy list is extensive and state-of-the-art, ensuring maximum use of the crystalline Mediterranean waters.
Here is the inventory that the APA is fueling:
Tenders: A large 9.5m Novurania chase tender (for discreet, high-speed trips to shore or diving) and a 4m Castoldi jet tender.
Adrenaline Toys: Multiple high-power Waverunners/Jet Skis, multiple Seabobs (essential for underwater viewing), a Flyboard, and a Jet Pack. Yes, you can fly above the water, all certified by the RYA instructor onboard!
Boards: A huge selection of wakeboards, kneeboards, kitesurfing equipment, and paddleboards (SUPs).
Fitness: A dedicated gym/exercise equipment area, plus the ultimate luxury: an elevator servicing all guest decks, saving your legs after a long day of watersports.
Relaxation: A massive deck Jacuzzi on the sundeck provides the perfect viewpoint for sunsets.
The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee?
Section 4: Deep Dive Comparison – Is MARIU a Good Deal for a Codecasa?
To give you maximum satisfaction, we need to compare MARIU’s value proposition against its peer group. The luxury market is crowded, especially in the 50-meter range.
MARIU is nearly 50m long, 594 GT, built by Codecasa, and costs up to €245,000 per week (high season).
Let’s look at two similar-sized competitor yachts often available in the Mediterranean, pulled from the same market data:
| Yacht Name | Length (Approx.) | Builder | GT (Volume) | High Season Rate (EUR) | Key Differentiator |
MARIU | 49.9m | Codecasa | 594 GT | €225,000 - €245,000 | Armani Interior, RYA Center, 6 Cabins, 11 Crew |
VERTIGE | 49.9m | Tankoa (Newer Yard) | ~499 GT | €270,000 | Newer (2017), larger, but generally slightly higher price point. |
ELENA V | 50m | Codecasa (Peer) | ~497 GT | ~$240,000 (Approx. €222,000) | Same builder pedigree, but MARIU offers more GT for the length (better volume) and the irreplaceable Armani styling. |
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
The High-Information Conclusion:
MARIU presents a highly competitive price point for a Codecasa yacht of its size, especially given its generous Gross Tonnage (594 GT is excellent for a sub-50m vessel, meaning more interior space than many competitors in this class) and its recent comprehensive refits.
The "Armani Premium" is essentially free. You are chartering one of the most historically significant yachts on the market—one that set the trend for minimalist, sophisticated design—for a price that is on par with, or slightly below, comparable contemporary new builds from other yards.
What you are paying for is not just the boat; you are paying for a piece of fashion history, impeccably maintained, and supported by a service ratio designed to make you feel like the only person on the water.
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| The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee? |
Section 5: My Dream Itinerary Aboard MARIU (The Personalized Touch)
Since I'm giving you all this insider information, let me map out the perfect MARIU experience, showing you exactly how that price translates into unforgettable moments.
Vessel: M/Y MARIU (49.9m Codecasa)
Crew: 11 professionals
Cruising Ground: The Cyclades, Greece (High Season: €245,000 base)
Day 1: The Subtle Arrival (Mykonos)
The Vibe: Arrive at Mykonos airport, met by the crew’s shore transportation. You board MARIU, which is already anchored discreetly away from the bustle.
The Experience: First impressions are everything. I step onto the aft deck, see the charcoal grey hull gleam, and walk through the main salon. The Armani interior instantly calms me—it’s cool, quiet, and textural. The Captain introduces the key crew. Champagne is served on the sun deck, followed by the first exquisite meal.
Charter Cost Impact: Dockage fee if we stayed in the marina, but we are anchored (less APA fuel for generators).
Day 3: Water World and Design Deep Dive (Ios to Santorini)
The Vibe: An active morning in Ios, followed by an evening transit to the iconic caldera of Santorini.
The Experience: This is when the RYA center status pays off. The family gets a lesson on the WaveRunners. I, meanwhile, spend an hour quietly exploring the cabins. The Master Suite, full beam on the main deck, with its his-and-hers bathrooms and the central Jacuzzi, is the definition of quiet luxury. The Art Deco-inspired features, the dark leather, and the soft lighting make it feel like a designer apartment.
Charter Cost Impact: Fuel usage for the two Waverunners and the Flyboard (covered by APA).
Day 5: The Grand Dinner (Sailing towards Milos)
The Vibe: A formal evening to celebrate the trip, with the best of the MARIU’s dining capabilities.
The Experience: The chef has sourced local fish and rare Greek wine, delivered fresh that morning. The dinner is set at the formal dining table, surrounded by the Art Deco furnishings. The wine pairing, curated by the chief stewardess, elevates the experience. I appreciate the high-end AV system (Kaliedescape/AMX), discreetly installed, providing the perfect soundtrack. The crew-to-guest ratio ensures glasses are never empty and service is flawless.
Charter Cost Impact: Significant outlay from the APA for premium F&B (food and beverage).
Day 7: The Farewell (Disembarking near Athens)
The Vibe: A final morning enjoying the zero-speed stabilizers as the sun rises, followed by a light breakfast and the full APA accounting breakdown.
The Experience: The final moments are relaxed. I receive the ledger of spending from the Captain, confirming how much fuel we used, what we spent on provisioning, and the return of any unused APA funds. The feeling isn’t one of checking out, but of leaving a temporary, perfectly managed private world.
The hidden price of understated glamour: Is the world’s most fashionable yacht worth the secret fee?
Final Thoughts: The True Value of MARIU
The MARIU charter is not just a holiday; it’s an education in taste. It’s a chance to live in a floating world designed by one of the 20th century’s greatest fashion minds, built by a pedigree yard like Codecasa, and meticulously maintained to exceed modern standards.
If you are a charterer who values subtle sophistication over flash, performance over pure volume, and service over mere facilities, then MARIU represents extraordinary value. The high-season base price of up to €245,000 is a highly competitive entry point for a yacht of this caliber and design significance.
Remember, the secret to a stress-free charter isn't the base price—it's understanding and funding the APA. Once that €98,000+ is squared away, the only thing you have to worry about is whether to Seabob or Jet Ski first. And honestly? That's a great problem to have.