Yacht Class n°20 (march-april-may 2020)

Lürssen

The adjective “sumptuous” immediately comes to mind when approaching and visiting the latest creation of Lürssen and Winch Design.  She offers 111 metre of elegance and quest for perfection, be it in the execution of structural work or of smallest details. Built as an “Ice” class yacht, with helicopters and tenders, to explore new lands, Tis offers her guests an exceptional comfort and an art of living.

Written by:  Philippe Leblond – Photos: All rights reserved

This majestic six-deck is one of three gigayachts delivered in 2019 by the German Lürssen. With her 111 metre, she places herself between Flying Fox (134 m) and Madsummer (95 m) and ranks at the 33rd place of the world’s largest yachts. Fifteen years ago, she would probably have been in the top 15, but competition is fierce nowadays… In any case, boarding a yacht of this size remains a privilege and brings its share of sensations and surprises. As we climbed aboard by the huge swim platform flirting with the water surface, the varnished mahogany facade of the beach club caught our eyes. Then the exceptional width of Tis also became blatantly obvious: 18.40 m! After entering an “airlock” housing various water-sports equipment, we arrived in the beach club, a refined real “yacht-club” predominately in teak and varnished mahogany, with an Art Deco atmosphere. On starboard, a sauna area provides a relaxing recovery after a swim, and before heading to the cabins. Sorry, to the suites! Because on Tis, guests are not housed in simple cabins, they stay in four suites belowdecks and four additional ones on the main deck. The Russian shipowner has made a point of giving each cabin a different decoration, inspired by his favourite regions and countries he visited during his many voyages. On the lower deck: Provence, Tuscany, China and, of course, Russia. Atmospheres with distinctive colours, with matching marble shades on the bedside tables and en suites.

A 15 metres high stairwell!

The four main deck suites are inspired by mythical cities: Londres, Paris, New York and Marrakech. Those two decks  are connected by a long glass corridor cutting the top of the engine room in two and offering an unexpected and spectacular view of the two large 20-cylinder MTU diesel engines. Then, we can either opt for the sublime staircase or the elevator inspired by Le Bristol Hotel in Paris. Looking up to contemplate this spectacular flight of stairs serving all five decks gives the measure of the vertiginous dimensions of this yacht. This lobby is adjacent to the indoor cinema, with its Art Deco atmosphere and deep sofas. Note that an outdoor cinema can also be set up on the sundeck when the latter is not used as a dance floor or a helipad…While we marveled at the guest suites on the main deck, just beneath our feet, the half of the lower deck, located forward the engines, accommodates the crew quarters: 20 cabins (sleeping two or three), including four for officers, an XXL mess room and a galley worthy of a starred restaurant. But let’s go back to the main deck and head to the reception. It has impressive dimensions, with its two spiral staircases with refined 23.8-carat gold handrails. The central part houses numerous seats around two large coffee tables with fine marquetry, near a white grand piano. This Louis XIV and Louis XVIII-inspired furniture are also present both in the dining room, where a huge table can seat 18 guests, and in the upper level salon. The latter actually widely opens onto the aft part of this deck – the owner’s – and its dining area and outdoor bar. His suite occupies the forward part of this level, and features two cantilevers, with sofas overlooking the sea, directly accessible via the bay windows of the bedroom. The size of the habitable part must flirt with 150 m2 and is divided into two private worlds, on both sides of a long gangway: hers on portside, his to starboard, plus the full-beam bedroom, which enjoys a panorama of over 180°. They both have their own vast dressing room and en suite, with Madam’s fitted with a private hair salon and massage table.

A delicious tea room inspired by Ladurée

One level above, the bridge deck features the full-beam, fully equipped wheelhouse, with the two helms offset to the outside to facilitate port manoeuvres. Two crew cabins, including the captain’s one, have access to the helm station. There is also a “staff” lift leading directly to the crew quarters belowdecks. The other two-thirds of this deck are dedicated to relaxation, with a hair salon, spa with massage room, hammam, showers and relaxation lounge. The decoration, with soft colours, is original with vaulted ceilings covered with lemon trees carved in bas-relief. Adjacent is the gym with its training equipment (treadmills, bicycles, etc.) and TV screens. The large bay window leads to the counter current swimming pool. There is also a yoga area, spacious solariums, shower and bar. Finally, last but not least, the upper deck, with its two sundecks framing the upper elevator lobby and a delicious tea room, inspired by the famous Parisian Ladurée, opening onto the front sundeck. Note that this superlative yacht, whose interiors and exteriors were created by the famous London-based studio Winch Design, is certified “Ice-Class”. Which means she can sail in all latitudes and in particular venture towards the poles. She has two helipads, with refueling, and a complete collection of tenders: two safety RIBs, one for passengers, two limousine tenders (Wajer 38) – one open, the other with a deckhouse – to arrange shuttles to select marinas. The long and elegant navy-blue hull impresses with its high freeboard and sleek bow. And she is cut out for long crossings, which is largely due to the 7 000 miles range she has at 12 knots. And if time is short, the two MTUs, totalling 8 700 hp, can increase the pace to 18 knots.