Kismet: The Spectacular, Decadent Custom Superyacht Now Offered at a Discount

Kismet means "fate" or "destiny" in Turkish, but neither fate nor destiny seems to be on Kismet's side when it comes to finding a new owner. Its high price tag, size, and amenities, which bring about very high yearly costs, might have something to do with that. But since we could never afford to pay this kind of money on a leisure craft, let's not waste the chance of having yet another detailed look at this spectacular vessel.

Unlike other superyachts of its size and price tag, Kismet was never kept a secret, for the exclusive use of its billionaire owner. In fact, it was designed to be a family vacation vessel and a charter platform in equal parts, an upgrade over the original Kismet, which luxury shipyard Lurssen delivered in 2007.

The second Kismet, the one that's been on the market for nearly $200 million and has now been re-listed with a discount of almost $64 million, is bigger, fancier, more high-performance, and more dramatic than its predecessor. Also a Lurssen build, it was delivered to billionaire Shahid Khan in 2014 and remains today, after almost a decade, one of the most impressive superyachts to leave the yard.

Kismet isn't impressive just for its size and estimated value of $200+ million or for the very posh amenities it offers to owners and charter guests. Kismet is impressive for its elegant and decadent styling, for its very challenging layout, and for being able to reconcile two extremes that are apparently irreconcilable: coziness and unprecedented luxury.

It was not an easy project to bring to life, but, as Lurssen says, they're in the business of making the impossible possible. Shahid Khan's brief for the 312-foot (95-meter) Kismet asked for amplified drama of the original 197-foot (60-meter) Kismet, but in a way that shouldn't compromise on privacy, coziness, or entertainment options. It was easier said than done.

The original design for Kismet started at 279 feet (85 meters) but kept growing as more ideas were being thrown in and developed. Khan had brought back together the entire team that had worked on the first Kismet, from Moran Yacht & Ship, which oversaw the build and developed the specification package, to Lurssen as the builder, Espen Oino as the exterior designer, Reymond Langton Design for the interiors, and Captain Kyle Fults and his wife Gerry, the official purser.

By the time they were done, Kismet had blown up to size, offering an incredible volume of 2,978 GT spread across five decks, incredible amenities, outrageous features that had never been done before, and optimized crew areas and services. It does all this while being a most lavish, elegant, but opulent superyacht with surprisingly private spaces and the capacity to hold parties as large as 270 people. Kismet is a floating paradox and a visual wonder – and, because of both, an excellent example of the one-percenter lifestyle.

Decked in marble and precious woods, with oriental-themed styling and shocking décor choices like back-lit onyx with color change options, and video walls that either play football matches or double as virtual windows, Kismet is like a jaw-dropping tour in fantasy land. It integrates traditional elements and "standard" amenities with the most surprising styling or layout choices, valuable art, and premium materials and creates a space that is an experience in itself.

Kismet offers accommodation for 14 guests and 28 crew members and packs a laundry list of features meant to offer entertainment and relaxation. There are no less than two helipads on board, one of which doubles as a sports court while the other converts into a nightclub. Kismet also holds various bars and lounge areas, a cinema that can turn into a casual lounge or a more business-minded meeting room, a formal dining room, and a large spa and wellness area buried deep within the ship and styled like a meditative space in dark, soothing tones.

Passage across decks is possible either by a gorgeous glass elevator or the winding main staircase next to it. But it can also be done by another winding staircase, a massive art deco one framed by the aforementioned video walls, and a massive Crystal Caviar chandelier. This staircase starts in a most incredible lounge area that is actually a piece of art, with an electronic piano integrated into a custom bar and expansive glazing.

Other unexpected features include a so-called sea cabin, a space designed for guests who might get seasick and located on the lower deck on portside amidships, and a surprise winter garden that pops up when you slide the glass walls on the aft owner's deck in bad weather. The spa features a massage room and a beauty salon and offers services like cold plunges and hammam, among other pampering options.

Kismet is powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines laid out in a typical two-deck configuration, taking it to a top speed of 17 knots (19.5 mph/31.5 kph) and a brisk cruising speed of 14 knots (16.1 mph/26 kph). Despite its size, it offers smooth operation, while at-anchor stabilizers ensure maximum comfort.

There's a reason why Kismet is described as an "iconic" superyacht, and here's to hoping we've been able to sum up its essence in words. This icon is asking €149 million (approximately $163.6 million at the current exchange rate), so if you happen to have that kind of cash in your piggy bank, now's the time for an excellent bargain.