This Revamped Billionaire’s Toy Is Now One of the Most Expensive Charter Yachts

In 2010, Azteca truly made waves with its enormous size and unique huge mast on the foredeck. It was also speculated that the 236-footer (72 meters) belonged to a Mexican billionaire, and Mexican magnates were known as owners of some of the most spectacular bespoke pleasure craft. The floating behemoth owed its memorable design and capabilities to the legendary Italian naval architects Nuvolari & Lenard.

At the time, it was the largest superyacht built by the Ancona-based shipyard CRN. To this day, it's one of the 20-largest luxury yachts ever built in Italy. In conjunction with the considerable length, the floating palace boasted an amazing interior volume of more than 2,000 GT, resulting in lavish accommodation for up to 16 guests and a huge crew of more than 20 people.

Azteca was one of those superyachts that remained secretive despite their international fame. Until the moment it was sold in 2021, the Italian yacht had only been used privately for more than a decade. It was one of the greatest sales of that year: in just three months, the 11-year-old superyacht fetched over $70 million. Even more impressively, the record sale was not preceded but followed by an extensive refit.

In other words, the new owner was not only ready to pay more than $70 million for the yacht itself but was also willing to pump more millions into a renovation process. It was seen as an investment since the revamped Azteca, renamed Arbema, became one of the most expensive and coveted vessels on the luxury charter market.

Today, one week onboard the refitted Arbema costs at least $600,000, making it one of the most expensive luxury charter yachts. And, despite the prohibitive rate, it's already booked for Christmas and New Year's in the Caribbean. After all, who wouldn't want to spend New Year's Eve onboard this floating paradise?

Some refits focus heavily on the technical and mechanical aspects, but Arbema emerged from its refit looking like a totally different pleasure craft. It was obvious on the outside, with its original grey color replaced by a striking midnight blue, and it could also be seen on board when the yacht revealed its fresh interior design.

Arbema's timeless naval architecture and original layout are still essential for the yacht's unique signature, but the 2010 CRN now sports a fresher, more contemporary look. The previous interior design, marked by a classic influence with dark wood paneling and a heavily ornate style, was replaced by a clean aesthetic, a cool color palette in neutral shades, and a minimalistic approach.

Arbema was refitted in the South of France at the prestigious refit shipyard MB92 La Ciotat. Hampshire Marine gave a helping hand in terms of technical upgrades, Rhoades Young Design envisioned the new interior style, and the Edmiston brokerage company oversaw the entire process. According to the refit team, 18 months of work was carried out in just 12. The renovation was completed in record time, allowing Arbema to be ready for charter before the end of this year. More than 100 companies were involved in the overall project, in addition to multiple experts.

In terms of style, Arbema flaunts the exquisite atmosphere of a contemporary mansion. Stunning white walls and ceilings replaced all the previous wood paneling – this modification alone was enough to brighten up the yacht instantly. Cool shades of grey and cream were added to create depth and texture. The outdated furniture was replaced by modern pieces with organic shapes. The bathrooms kept the original countertops made of precious marble but restyled them by integrating them into an all-white setting.

The refitted luxury toy also kept its outstanding amenities. Try to picture a 330-square-meter (3,550 square feet) sundeck and a 100-square-meter (1,076 square feet) beach club. The full-beam master suite is a mansion by itself, complete with a separate TV room, a massage room, and access to a spacious fold-down terrace. The remaining guests are comfortably accommodated in a VIP stateroom on the upper deck, two doubles on the main deck, and four cabins (two doubles and two twins) on the lower deck.

This generous layout was specifically designed to accommodate large families on board. The yacht's most remarkable feature, the enormous sun deck, houses both a swimming pool and a jacuzzi. In addition to the vast sunbathing and swimming area, the deck incorporates a helipad, a bar, and a well-equipped gym.

The ultra-spacious yacht also reveals a full-beam sky lounge with ample room for dinner and cocktails, plus a welcoming cinema. To the stern, Arbema's transom folds down, creating a massive swim platform. This oversized beach club is big enough to include another bar, a gym, and a cozy lounge area.

During charter travels, the Italian beast comes with a huge 24-person crew ready to cater to the needs of each guest. It also carries a wide selection of water toys, including three luxury tenders for access to and from shore.

A floating resort in terms of amenities, the ultra-luxurious Arbema also boasts remarkable prowess. Even at top speed, it promises an impressive 6,000-nautical mile (11,000 km) range. During the recent refit, it was also equipped with advanced systems that ensure a smooth, stable ride in the Caribbean.

After a decade of discrete success as Azteca, this Italian work of art is fully ready for decades of unrivaled popularity as Arbema.