A LUXURY superyacht owned by the US billionaire who transformed Starbucks into a global brand has been spotted squeezing through a murky Dutch canal.
Howard Schultz’s 254-foot vessel, named Pi, boasts a range of over 4,500 nautical miles and onboard spa facilities, including a glass-bottomed swimming pool.
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The huge yacht, believed to be worth $200m (£150m), can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 18 people.
At a staggering 254 feet long and 37 feet wide, Pi ranks as the 183rd biggest yacht in the world, according to Wikipedia’s latest list of motor yachts by length.
The vessel is powered by MTU engines, which make it capable of speeds up to 18 knots.
It features its own helicopter landing pad as well as various onboard luxury spa facilities.
Built by Dutch boat builder Feadship, it was delivered to Schultz at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, where it won Best Yacht in Its Class and Motor Yacht of the Year.
Schultz’s net worth surpasses $6b (£4.5b), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
He built the bulk of his fortune as the CEO of Starbucks, initially leading the company from 1986 to 2000.
Under Schultz, Starbucks grew from a small Seattle-based chain into a global coffee empire.
Schultz returned to the helm during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, after the company faced major store closures in a bid to cut costs.
He remained CEO until 2017, then returned briefly as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023.
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It comes as the superyacht was spotted in Cornwall’s Falmouth harbour in May 2022.
Meanwhile, the luxury Four Seasons hotel franchise recently announced its plans to launch a superyacht cruise ship, dubbed the Four Seasons.
The superyacht promises to be decked with “sea limousines”, luxury restaurants, a cigar room and even a four-story private penthouse suite.
Set to launch in January 2026, the ‘sea hotel’ will sail on over 30 voyages in its first year, cruising through the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean.
Seven nights along the rivieras of Cassis, France and Portofino, Italy, for example, will cost north of $25,000 (£18,500).
While reservations for the first voyages opened in January 2024, they are on an invitation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests.
The exclusivity is “driven by the need to manage extraordinary demand”, according to the luxury hotel franchise.
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