High-profile stars including the Kardashians and Erling Haaland are spending millions on luxury yacht charters across the Mediterranean this summer. these opulent vacations, spanning from Sardinia to the French Riviera, highlight a preference for renting over ownership among the global elite.
The £1.6 million weekly benchmark set by the Beckhams
The scale of celebrity spending in the Mediterranean has reached a fever pitch, with the Beckhams establishing a high bar for luxury. According to the report, the family was spotted in 2022 aboard the Madsummer, a vessel with a weekly rental price of £1.6 million. This trend of extreme expenditure continued with Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz, who opted for a retreat on Project X that cost £1.025 million per week last summer.
This pattern suggests a shift in how the ultra-wealthy consume luxury . Rather than the traditional prestige of owning a vessel, stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, and Jay Z frequently prefer the flexibility of charters. This allows them to rotate through the newest, most opulent "floating palaces" without the long-term overhead of maintenance and staffing.
From the Naia's helicopter pad to the Axioma's cinema
The amenities provided on these vessels are designed to mimic five-star land resorts. The Kardashian family recently utilized the Naia motor yacht, which costs £450,000 per week, while visiting the South of France for the Monaco Grand Prix attended by Lewis Hamilton. The Naia is equipped with a gym, a jacuzzi, and a helicopter landing pad to facilitate rapid transit for its high-profile guests.
Similarly, comedian Kevin Hart and his family chartered the Axioma, a 236ft vessel. As the source reported, the weekly cost for the Axioma ranges between £485,000 and £540,000 depending on the season. To keep children entertained and adults relaxed, the Axioma features a full cinema, a spa,and a swimming pool, with total weekly costs potentially reaching £850,000 once extras are included.
Erling Haaland's £225,000 birthday in Sardinia
Athletes are also fueling the demand for high-end charters. Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker and 2026 World Cup ambassador, celebrated his 26th birthday aboard the Elis Et Mar in Sardinia. The 80ft vessel, which underwent a major refit in 2024, commands a weekly rate of £225,000 and features luxury touches such as yellow marble flooring.
The experience on the Elis Et Mar emphasizes the bespoke nature of these trips, where a 20-person crew manages everything from sports activities on the deck to hosted birthday barbecues. This level of service ensures that the guests, including Haaland's girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, experience a seamless transition from professional sports intensity to total leisure.
The 15 percent gratuity and the hidden costs of chartering
While the base charter fees are staggering, they represent only the starting point of the financial commitment. The total bill is significantly inflated by mandatory expenses, including fuel, food, drinks, and marina fees. Furthermore, a mandatory gratuity of 10 to 15 percent is typically added to the final cost, ensuring the crew is compensated for their hotel-style service.
However, several details remain unclear regarding the financial arrangements of these trips. The source does not specify whether these charters are paid for entirely out of pocket or if they are subsidized by luxury brand sponsorships, a common practice for A-list influencers. Additionally, it remains unknown how many of these charters are booked through corporate entities for tax purposes rather than personal spending.
A Mediterranean playground for the 2025 summer season
The appetite for these excursions shows no sign of waning as the calendar turns . Pop star Dua Lipa has already begun showcasing her summer 2025 experience through social media photos that highlight the extravagance of her chosen superyacht. This continues a broader trend where the Mediterranean—specifically the Amalfi Coast and the French Riviera—serves as the primary stage for celebrity visibility.
By utilizing these vessels as backdrops for social media, celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian transform their vacations into marketing events. The superyacht is no longer just a mode of transport or a place of privacy; it is a curated set piece that signals status to millions of followers globally.
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