The phrase Plus Ultra means “further beyond” in Latin, and its most famous appearance was carved in the stones at the exit of the Mediterranean basin, warning sailors that there was no known land “further beyond.” When it was etched into stone, the phrase became “plvs vltra,” and that stylized spelling lives on today. Nowadays, though, plus ultra has become shorthand for “flawless” or “perfect.”
That’s perhaps what the owner of this 243-foot Amels had in mind when he named his yacht Plvs Vltra. After all, the Dutch-built yacht is a carefully considered and detail-orientated vessel that places huge emphasis on design. Two big names of yacht design came together on the 2016 project—Tim Heywood and Andrew Winch Design—and they focused on recreating the breezy yet elegant feeling of the slickest South of France hotels. Think of the serenity and Belle Epoque styling of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc meeting the sophistication and exclusivity of the Hermitage Monte-Carlo rolled into a superyacht.
And now, the yacht is on the market with Fraser’s Dennis Frederiksen for €99,000,000 (about $101,522,842). In a press release, Frederiksen calls it a “pedigree” vessel because of its all-star build and design teams. The shipyard, Amels, is one of the biggest players in the yachtbuilding scene in the Netherlands—indeed, together with its sister company Damen Yachting it’s second place for the Netherlands in the global ranking of the world’s shipyards, according to superyacht data platform BOATPro (which is owned by the magazine I write for, BOAT International). The yacht was the first of a new series designed to offer a proven, seaworthy platform with the benefit of being able to tweak and alter the interior.
To that end, Plvs Vltra is highly tailored. The yacht manages to feel palatial and opulent, without the overdone, stuffy feeling that sometimes goes hand in hand with ornate styling. Everywhere you look, chandeliers drip with crystals and floors gleam and shine as brightly as mirrors. Intricate marble is integrated into the walls, silk fabrics add a soft touch to the furnishings and delicate shades of ivory, champagne and eggshell blue contribute to the sense of calm.
In terms of facilities, “she offers state-of-the-art amenities in the beach club spa, including a hot tub, massage room, and hammam,” says Frederiksen. The spa is one of the key features of the boat, sprawling across the middle of the lower deck.
In a 2021 article in BOAT International, the designer explained that the spa is where the design “kicked off.” The owners can spend hours relaxing and pampering in the space, said designer Andrew Winch. It helps that the spa has an unfolding door that lays out over the water, allowing guests to remain in constant contact with the sea.
If the sea doesn’t appeal, there is an expansive pool on the aft of the boat, which has counter currents so it can be used for fitness as well as pleasure. “She also offers an open-air cinema on the bridge deck,” adds Frederiksen. Accommodation is for 12 guests in six cabins, and that includes an enormous owner’s cabin complete with a private office and an elegant, light-bathed lobby.
Although “plvs vltra” might have originally been associated with warning sailors away from exploration, Plvs Vltra is actually an intrepid adventurer. She has a range of 5,000 nautical miles, and her broker calls her a “proven long-distance” superyacht capable of traversing the world in the lap of luxury. No doubt her new owner will appreciate the mileage, as well as the attention to detail that’s gone into her layout and styling.
This story was originally published on forbes.com.
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