Few superyachts come to market with as much history, star power, and entertainment potential as Whisper. The 95-meter (312-foot) Lürssen-built yacht was conceived as an extravagant floating playground rather than simply a private residence. After more than a decade under billionaire ownership and a highly successful charter career, she is once again looking for a new owner.
The Whisper yacht is seeking a new owner and has been listed for sale by Will Christie of Christie Yachts at an asking price of €149 million (approximately $170 million), according to Boat International. Delivered in 2014 under the name Kismet, the yacht was commissioned by billionaire Shahid Khan as the successor to his 223-foot Lürssen-built superyacht Atlas and was designed with the goal of delivering “caviar and champagne.” Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt reportedly acquired the yacht from Khan in September 2023 and renamed her Whisper.
A Billionaire’s Floating Entertainment Palace
From the very beginning, Whisper was designed for entertainment. Espen Øino created her striking exterior, combining a champagne-colored hull with a black mast, while Reymond Langton developed an opulent Art Deco-inspired interior. The yacht won a World Superyacht Award in 2015, with judges praising its construction, exterior design, and expansive deck spaces.
Her five decks are packed with spaces designed for large gatherings. The main salon, with its double-height ceiling, features an ornate entrance, marble flooring, and a sculptural staircase in the atrium, while 42 synchronized 55-inch screens can transform the surrounding walls into moving works of art, abstract imagery, or live views of the sea. A 770-pound glass-and-bronze chandelier hangs above the staircase beside a sophisticated bar featuring an electronic piano.
There is also a full-screen cinema with a 4K projector, a formal dining room seating 18, a winter garden accommodating 18 guests, and a former sports bar that can be transformed into a nightclub. Her multipurpose helipad can become a basketball court, dance floor, or entertainment area, while the yacht’s outdoor spaces can also be converted into an open-air cinema or a large event venue. Captain Marko reportedly nicknamed dinner on the converted basketball court the “Super Bowl of Gastronomy,” with tables, lighting, and flowers arranged against the backdrop of the open sea.
The yacht’s leisure facilities are equally elaborate. A mosaic-tiled swimming pool and elevated hot tub dominate the sun deck, while a secluded observation deck above features an outdoor bed designed for stargazing. Two retractable sea terraces open from the gym and lobby, bringing guests almost directly to the water. Below, the spa includes a massage room, hot tub, plunge pool, hammam, sauna, shower, and ice machine, along with a gym equipped with Technogym equipment and a beauty salon.
Accommodations for up to 16 guests are spread across seven staterooms and a convertible office. The owner’s suite features private walk-in closets, individual offices, his-and-hers bathrooms, a fireplace, panoramic views, a skylight, and a private deck with a mosaic-tiled hot tub. The yacht is powered by two Caterpillar diesel engines, reaches a top speed of 17 knots, and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
For potential buyers, the appeal goes far beyond the $170 million price tag. Christie highlights the scarcity of yachts over 80 meters built by Northern European shipyards and notes that constructing a comparable yacht today could cost approximately €400 million ($460 million) and take four to five years. Whisper will be berthed during the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show and will be available for inspections in the South of France on September 1 and 2.
LUXURY AND POWER