In 1954, Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis acquired for scrap value a Canadian frigate that had seen action in Normandy during World War II.
Even in today’s world, her 325 feet in length turn heads, so imagine the astonishment 60 years ago when he decided to rebuild and renovate her, turning her into one of the world’s most famous superyachts.

Christina, christened in honor of his daughter, or CHRISTINA O as she is known today, wined and dined world leaders, Hollywood elite and numerous other dignitaries for nearly two decades under his ownership.
Winston Churchill, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, ballerina Margot Fonteyn, John Wayne, Maria Callas and Marilyn Monroe were all guests on the yacht over the years and the wedding reception of Monaco’s Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly was held on board.

Upon Onassis’ death in 1975, CHRISTINA O passed to the Greek government, for use as a presidential yacht. Unfortunately, the government could not keep up with the maintenance costs for very long. CHRISTINA O deteriorated for years, until the late 1990s, when a team stepped in to rescue her.

Today, after many refits and continuous improvements, you can walk on the same decks and in the same rooms, meticulously restored, as Richard Burton and Elisabeth Taylor as well as all those other famous guests. You can relax in one of the Hollywood couple’s favorite places, in front of the lapis lazuli-fronted fireplace, in the main deck’s Lapis Lounge, while Maria Callas’ opera notes still play in the Callas Lounge.