There are many luxury superyachts… and then there is the Al Salamah which, more than a yacht, is the size of an eight-story building and truly serves as a floating royal palace. It boasts its very own entrance, elevating the concept of luxury sailing to new heights.
The Birth of a Floating Palace
Commissioned in 1998 by Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, crown prince and deputy prime minister of Saudi Arabia, the Al Salamah was custom-built to meet an expansive list of requirements. This resulted in a magnificent 139-meter-long yacht valued at over $280 million, with annual maintenance costs estimated between $15 million and $28 million.
Illuminating Luxury and Medical Innovation
Beyond its lavish interiors adorned with fine marble and gold, what sets the Al Salamah apart is its sophisticated medical facilities. This superyacht doesn’t just feature a well-equipped infirmary; it houses three distinct hospitals on different decks, dedicated to the prince, his guests, and the crew, embodying the ultimate in exclusivity and protocol.
Design That Caters to Every Need
The Al Salamah was initially dubbed the “MiPos Project” (Mission Possible) and transformed into a floating haven over 12,000 square meters, featuring 22 lavish suites embellished with fine teak and opulent decor that resonates with Arab aesthetics. Its layered design strategically organizes life on board according to royal protocols—a necessity for any heir to the Saudi throne.
Onboard life is divided cleverly into hierarchical spaces. The seventh deck is reserved for the royals, equipped with the prince’s office and areas for his trusted staff. Meanwhile, VIP guests and senior Saudi officials occupy the sixth deck, and the 96 crew members operate from the lower levels.
One of the interior rooms of Al Salamah
This arrangement extends to all facets of life aboard the yacht, which features five kitchens and, of course, those three hospitals strategically placed for easy access: one on the seventh deck for the prince, another on the sixth for guests, and the third on the lower deck dedicated to crew care.
Medical Facilities That Impress
Sultan’s private hospital, complete with an underwater treadmill for physiotherapy.
The best-equipped hospital is undoubtedly the prince’s, featuring high-end medical amenities, including an underwater treadmill designed for physiotherapy, showcasing the level of care and attention afforded to royal health.
A Floating Kingdom Beyond Medical Care
Guests aboard the Al Salamah enjoy more than just medical exclusivity. They can indulge in a beauty salon, private cinema, library, meeting room, spa, gym, and even access to a helipad. Entertainment options are elevated with a dressing room for artists performing exclusively for the Saudi royal family.
Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held a significant role in Saudi Arabia; he was a long-serving minister of defense and aviation, and in 2005, he was appointed crown prince. Known as “the humanitarian prince,” he funded numerous medical initiatives in Saudi Arabia through the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation.
Legacy of a Humanitarian Visionary
One of his notable projects is the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, inaugurated in 2002 and costing nearly $320 million. It is renowned as the world’s largest rehabilitation complex, boasting ten major operating rooms and a vast capacity for patients.
Although the Saudi prince passed away in 2011 at the age of 86, his legacy lives on. The Al Salamah and its three onboard hospitals remain a testament to his commitment to luxurious living intertwined with a deep concern for health and humanitarian efforts in his kingdom.
Image credits: Lurssen, Wikimedia Commons