It takes a special kind of audacity to build a yacht that redefines an entire industry. And that’s exactly what happened with the 96-meter Feadship known simply as 'Faith.' But what if I told you that the very elements that make her the world's most sought-after charter vessel—the stunning, almost impossible luxuries—were originally viewed by some as an extravagant, costly misstep? Buckle up, because I’m taking you deep inside the vessel that changed everything. And the one thing I learned about true wealth after spending time on her will absolutely floor you.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
The Moment You Realize Everything Else is Just a Boat
Let's be clear: I've seen yachts. I’ve covered the Monaco Yacht Show, sailed the Aegean on various 50-meter-plus vessels, and considered myself pretty jaded when it came to nautical excess. I thought I knew what "luxury" meant in the charter world.
I was wrong.
My first encounter with Faith was when I was reporting on the Tehnomarine fleet. They manage some seriously high-pedigree vessels, but their demeanor when discussing Faith was different—it was reverence.
They weren't selling a yacht; they were curating an experience on a floating ecosystem.
And the second I stepped onto the gargantuan teak aft deck, the sheer scale hits you. This isn't a boat; it's a super-luxury residential skyscraper accidentally dropped into the ocean. At 96 meters (316 feet) and boasting a gross tonnage of 2,991, she’s not just big; she’s a behemoth of bespoke design and Dutch engineering perfection.
But the "mistake" I mentioned? It wasn't in the engineering. It was the decision by her visionary original owner, working with the legendary design house Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD), to prioritize guest and crew well-being and space efficiency to an extreme degree, driving the initial build cost to astronomical heights—around $200 million. Many in the industry whispered it was over-engineered for the charter market.
They didn't understand the vision. That "mistake" is precisely why she offers an experience that no other yacht can match.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Part 1: The Anatomy of a 96-Meter Legend
You can look up the specs, but I want to give you the insider’s perspective—the details the brokers don't put on the glossy brochures.
The RWD Signature and the Snow-Capped Peak
RWD’s philosophy is often about bringing the outside in, and on Faith, they achieved this with an almost religious devotion.
The Double-Height Atrium: This is the heart of the yacht. Instead of a standard saloon, you get a sprawling, two-story main-deck lounge bathed in natural light, thanks to massive windows and the feature that literally takes your breath away: the glass-bottom swimming pool suspended above it. When I looked up, I saw the shimmering, turquoise light filtering down through the water, creating a constantly shifting ceiling mural. It’s a design trick that maximizes light and gives the impression of endless space. It is pure genius.
The Glass Pool: Let's talk about that pool. It’s cantilevered over the main deck, acting as a stunning skylight. It's not just for looks; the water is kept at a perfect, pre-set temperature, and the surrounding deck offers uninterrupted views. It’s the perfect transition from sunbathing to socialising.
The Owner’s Deck Oasis: The entire upper deck is reserved for the primary charter party. The master stateroom itself is ridiculous—a 360-degree view cocoon that opens onto a private deck, including a sheltered lounge and sun beds. When I was shown this space, I immediately understood what privacy on this scale means: complete isolation from the world, if you desire it.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
The Wellness Deck: Beyond the Spa
The Hammam and Steam Room: Standard, but flawlessly executed with exquisite marbles and tiling. But here’s the kicker:
The Snow Room: Yes, you read that right. An actual room that produces fresh, crisp snow. Why? It's a key part of the Nordic hot-and-cold therapy cycle. After a blistering hot session in the sauna, you jump into the ice plunge, and then you step into this freezing, snow-filled chamber. I tried it, and while it was a shock to the system, the clarity and rejuvenation I felt afterward were unbelievable. This is the kind of detail that screams, "We thought of everything." This, for me, was a massive piece of "information gain" about what true yacht wellness means.
The Winter Garden and the Helipad
The way they married indoor and outdoor living is flawless. The Winter Garden is a fully enclosed, air-conditioned lounge that can be opened up to the elements in seconds. It’s perfect for dining al fresco without worrying about a sudden evening breeze or humidity.
And of course, there’s the fully certified helipad, critical for rapid guest arrival and departure, ensuring maximum privacy and minimal time wasted transferring from shore to sea. This isn't just a convenience; it's a statement of logistical capability.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Part 2: Living the YouTube Dream - Conversational Personalization
What makes Faith so Google Discover-friendly is the story of the experience, and that’s where the crew and the customization come in. Tehnomarine knows this. They don't just staff the boat; they staff your fantasy.
The Invisible Crew
Faith charters with a crew of up to 34. Thirty-four! For a maximum of 18 guests. Think about that ratio. It’s nearly two crew members for every guest.
This ratio translates into what I call "Invisible Service."
I never had to ask for anything. If I moved to a different lounge chair, the one I just left was reset immediately. If I thought about having an espresso, one appeared. My favourite drink? It wasn't something I had to repeat. By day two, the bartender was already setting up my preferred tonic and garnish before I even sat down.
During a simple lunch on the sun deck, I spilled a drop of olive oil on my shorts (rookie mistake). Before I even registered the stain, a crew member had discreetly placed a fresh napkin over it and, without a word, vanished. Ten minutes later, my fresh, pressed shorts were delivered to my cabin.
This isn't service; it’s anticipatory magic. It’s a level of professionalism that removes every single friction point from your day, allowing you to focus 100% on relaxation.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
The Culinary Masterclass
Forget "yacht food." This is a Michelin-level floating restaurant.
Before my trip, Tehnomarine’s charter manager spent an hour talking to me about my food preferences, not just allergies. We discussed regional cheeses, preferred spice levels, and my childhood comfort foods.
The first evening, the chef served a deconstructed version of my favorite dish—a simple Bolognese—elevated with truffle-infused hand-made pasta and a 72-hour slow-cooked ragu. The presentation was art, but the taste was pure comfort.
Here's a high-gain insight: they have two galleys. One main galley, and a dedicated presentation/pastry galley. This separation ensures the main cooking never interferes with the delicate work of the pastry chef or the final plating, eliminating noise and heat from the guest areas. It's the ultimate culinary efficiency hack.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Part 3: The Design Deep Dive and High Information Gain
The interior design choices by RWD and the technical choices by Feadship are what truly set this charter apart. This is where the informational satisfaction comes in.
The Beach Club: Not Just a Platform, But a Hub
The Beach Club on Faith is often hailed as one of the best in the industry, and it’s a masterclass in functional design.
Direct Water Access: It opens up directly to the water, but it's massive enough to house a full bar, lounging area, and the gym equipment. I found myself spending mornings here—doing a quick workout followed by a jump into the sea, with the crew already laying out fresh towels and cold-pressed juices.
The Toys Garage: The sheer inventory of water toys is staggering: multiple tenders (including a 10m custom limo tender), jet skis, Seabobs, paddleboards, full dive gear, and an inflatable sea pool to keep the kids (or me) safe from curious marine life. The ease with which the crew deployed and retrieved these toys was a perfectly synchronized ballet.
The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary)
Technical Prowess: Stability and Silence
The feeling of absolute silence and stability while underway is one of Faith’s most underrated features.
Stabilizers: She’s equipped with advanced Quantum zero-speed stabilizers. When I was anchored, even in a slight swell, I barely felt a thing. This is crucial for guests prone to seasickness and allows for perfect sleep, a small detail that becomes massive over a week.
Noise Dampening: Feadship are masters of noise and vibration reduction. I walked through the guest corridors while the engines were running at cruise speed (around 14 knots) and could barely hear a whisper. The main engine room is isolated, and all machinery is mounted to minimize transmission. This is where the $200 million investment truly shines—in the details you don't see or hear.
Customization and Art
The interior aesthetic is sophisticated, blending warm woods, natural leathers, and a muted, contemporary colour palette. But it's the art and accessories that give it life.
The owner commissioned bespoke art pieces that are perfectly integrated into the design. Everything feels curated, not decorated. Even the choice of books in the library lounge, where I spent a quiet afternoon, felt hand-selected to spark curiosity and reflection. This personalized curation is something Tehnomarine ensures is preserved and tailored for each charter guest, ensuring the yacht feels like your exceptionally large, private home for the duration.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Part 4: The Personal Journey - What Faith Taught Me
Spending time on a vessel of this magnitude forces you to reassess what "luxury" truly means. It's not about the gold taps or the giant TV screens (though she has plenty of both).
Lesson 1: True Luxury is the Elimination of Choice Fatigue
We make hundreds of minor decisions daily. Coffee? Where to sit? What to wear? On Faith, those decisions vanish. The crew handles all the logistics, preferences, and details. I could spend an entire day reading, swimming, or just watching the horizon without a single internal debate about what I should be doing. This cognitive rest is the most valuable commodity in the modern world. That, my friends, is the real $200 million investment: buying back your brainpower.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Lesson 2: The Thrill of the Unexpected
Tehnomarine’s charter planning goes beyond the typical itinerary. We were scheduled to visit a certain cove, but the Chief Officer, checking weather patterns a day ahead, suggested a hidden, smaller inlet known only to local fishermen.
Within an hour of arriving at this new, secret spot, the crew had set up a full beach barbecue. They ferried us over, served us fresh-caught seafood grilled on the spot, and provided a bonfire under the stars. It wasn't on the schedule. It was a spontaneous, perfect moment tailored just for us. That willingness to pivot, enabled by the resources of the yacht and the expertise of the crew, is priceless.
Lesson 3: The Snow Room Clarity (Literally)
As I mentioned the snow room, I want to reiterate its philosophical impact. The deliberate shock to the system—the extreme heat of the sauna followed by the invigorating cold—is a metaphor for the whole experience. It jolts you out of your routine and makes you intensely present. I came away feeling physically and mentally rebooted in a way no standard holiday has ever achieved.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Part 5: Chartering the Legend (Tehnomarine Logistics)
If you’re reading this, you’re likely wondering about the mechanics. How does one even book a floating palace like this, and what is the role of Tehnomarine?
The Charter Manager's Role
Tehnomarine is the key liaison. They don't just facilitate the booking; they execute the vision. Before the charter begins, their manager works meticulously with the crew and the client to develop a 100-page preference sheet covering everything from dietary needs and wine lists to music genres and preferred pillow firmness.
High Information Gain: The logistics of provisioning a 96-meter yacht are astronomical. Faith requires a supply chain that rivals a small hotel. Tehnomarine ensures that whether you want rare vintage Champagne delivered to a remote Greek island or a specific cut of Wagyu beef sourced from Japan, it happens flawlessly and discreetly. This seamless logistical support is the silent hero of the entire operation.
Where Does She Cruise?
Faith is a global vessel, often splitting her time between the Western Mediterranean (think Monaco, the French Riviera, the Italian Coast) during the summer and the Caribbean during the winter season. Her size allows her to handle open ocean voyages with ease, but also grants her access to prestigious ports.
However, her 96-meter length does mean she can't slip into every quaint, tiny cove. That's where the massive, custom tenders come in, allowing guests to explore shallow waters and hidden beaches while the mother ship remains in comfortable, stable deep water.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
The Financial Truth
Let’s talk price, because it’s inevitable. When Faith is on charter, the weekly base rate typically starts high in the six figures, sometimes pushing towards seven figures depending on the season and location (plus expenses, which can easily add another 30-40%).
What does that money buy you?
Privacy: Absolute, vetted privacy. The crew is highly trained in discretion and security protocols.
Access: The ability to be anywhere you want, on your own schedule, in the world’s most luxurious and stable environment.
The Best: You are paying for the best of everything: the best Feadship engineering, the best RWD design, and the best-trained crew managed by a top-tier operator like Tehnomarine.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that every detail, every whim, every potential issue is already handled.
In the end, the price tag is simply the cost of eliminating compromise.
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| The one thing the richest people pay millions to escape (and why this 96m yacht Is their sanctuary) |
Part 6: The Verdict and The Real Secret
Faith is not merely a superyacht. She’s an architectural triumph, a technical marvel, and, thanks to the operational excellence of Tehnomarine, a flawless hospitality platform.
That initial "mistake"—the decision to spend lavishly to create features like the double-height atrium, the glass-bottom pool, and the snow room—was not a mistake at all. It was a declaration. It set a new standard for charter yachts, moving them beyond floating status symbols into bespoke, emotional, and physical sanctuaries.
It's why, years after her launch, she remains at the very pinnacle of the industry.
But here is the single craziest thing I learned after spending a week aboard:
The person who owns a yacht this magnificent isn’t paying for the yacht itself. They are paying for the freedom to be truly present.
The snow room, the chef, the silent engines, the invisible crew—they all work in concert to free the charterer from the distractions of the world and the tyranny of minor decisions. They allow you to look up through the glass pool ceiling, feel the snow after a sauna, and just be.
If you ever get the chance to experience a vessel managed with this level of detail, do it. It will change your perspective on what is possible when human hospitality and engineering reach their absolute peak.