Versailles of the seas

American businessman of Pakistani origin, Shahid Khan, is a renowned enthusiast of Lürssen yachts, all of which he names Kismet, meaning "destiny." Determining which Kismet came first is simple: just look at their length. It seems that as soon as one yacht is launched, Khan is already planning the next.

It all began in 2007 with the 68-meter Kismet, which still sails the seas today, though now under the name Global. In 2014, the 96-meter Kismet followed, later sold in September 2023 and renamed Whisper. With his third Kismet, Khan leaped past the 100-meter mark, adding a staggering 22 meters. At the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2024, this newcomer made waves, becoming the largest new yacht on display.

The exterior of the 122-meter Kismet was designed by Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard, while her predecessors were penned by Espen Øino. The interior design, once again, was entrusted to Reymond Langton Design.

“The task was far from easy,” admits Peter Lürssen. “But thanks to our experience, we brought the owner’s every wish and vision to life, creating a yacht that is not only modern but ahead of its time by many years.”

Indeed, for a yacht of this size, the designers managed to achieve a sense of lightness and dynamism. With its long, sharp bow and powerful superstructure topped by a tall mast, the yacht evokes the image of a predator ready to pounce. This theme resonates with Khan, as the office aboard his 96-meter Kismet featured a massive Art Deco panel inlaid with a jaguar lounging on a branch. To reinforce the imagery, a stylized steel jaguar in mid-leap, complete with bared teeth, was cast in Taiwan and mounted on the bow.

Khan had several seemingly contradictory design requests: a home office in black and red with an automotive-inspired aesthetic and a main salon styled after the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Imagine—sleek supercars on one side, ornate gilded stucco on the other. The designers jokingly referred to this vision as "Louis XIV meets Interstellar."

To capture the essence of royal opulence without overwhelming the yacht’s soaring spaces, Pascale Reymond and her partner Jason Macari took a special tour of the Palace of Versailles. Direct imitation risked turning the salon into a cramped jewelry box, where intricate stucco would clash with mirrors for every inch of space. The Hall of Mirrors follows a strict rhythm: arched windows paired with mirrored counterparts. On Kismet, however, light floods in from three sides through floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, nearly frameless.

The solution? Mirrors and glossy surfaces that play with light, restrained stucco that doesn’t dominate, and bold combinations with modern elements. Plush floor lamps and table lights are scattered throughout, while overhead lies a true masterpiece: a baroque-style ceiling mural depicting Neptune’s triumph, created by de Gournay, masters of panoramic wallpapers and hand-painted designs.

The flooring mimics classic parquet using beveled travertine tiles, while hidden behind mirrors are spacious cabinets. Two large limestone-framed gas fireplaces stand like sentinels at the entrance to the dining room.

Nearby, an elegant rounded bar finished in bronze and Sahara Noir faux marble is complemented by a giant video wall.

Meanwhile, Andrew Langton and Macari, with their background in automotive design, developed the décor for the owner’s private deck. The result is a sleek, futuristic blend of glass, metal, and glossy surfaces with bold black and red accents. The standout feature is a Bogányi carbon-fiber piano with a streamlined, aerodynamic shape—a true sports car with keys.

In contrast, the master suite embraces warm beige and brown tones with a hint of Art Deco. This luxurious stateroom occupies the bow, offering breathtaking panoramic views from a forward-facing bed. The semi-circular room seems to float above the waves, and an enormous skylight transforms the night into a personal planetarium. A fireplace and home cinema are built into the wall opposite the bed.

For entertaining guests, a dedicated cinema room was created—one of the most challenging design tasks. Khan loves watching films in a “Great Gatsby” atmosphere. Previously, the cinema was located near the main salon and styled in American Art Deco. This time, it was moved below the waterline. When the screen rises, three large windows reveal the underwater world. The specified window dimensions—1.1 meters wide and 2.8 meters tall—posed significant engineering challenges. Safety concerns took precedence, as the glass needed to withstand impacts from large fish or ice. After 18 months of testing, the solution was found: 15-centimeter-thick multilayer glass.

Guest cabins are located not on the lower deck but on the main deck. Each is inspired by a world-famous fashion house. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with light, while the en-suite bathrooms showcase luxurious materials like black-and-white Panda Marble. In one cabin, a flock of Lalique glass birds perches in a niche above the bed, held in place by powerful magnets.

If you think the master suite or main salon is the most luxurious part of the yacht, think again. The spa area, designed with the owner's daughter’s vision of a "seven-star" experience, rivals them both.

The spa offers everything for body and mind: a yoga studio, a juice bar for an energy boost, a Balinese-style beauty center, therapeutic baths, a sauna, a hammam, an invigorating ice pool, a cryosauna, and heated loungers for ultimate relaxation.

There’s also a stunning “steam fireplace”—an oasis surrounded by water and stones, with artificial plants sprouting among them. Elegant glass panels with embedded reeds can be switched from transparent to opaque, adding a touch of mystery and coziness.

The garage houses four tenders: an 11-meter Hodgson limousine tender for guest transport, a 12-meter custom Naiad RIB capable of 50 knots for fast trips, an 8.24-meter Riva Iseo for stylish cruising, and a 6.2-meter Fassner RIB for everyday tasks.

Initially, the owner envisioned a purely modern propulsion system, but during construction, he decided on silent electric cruising. Engineers worked hard to fit the necessary equipment without altering the design.

The result is a technical marvel worthy of a sci-fi film. The engine room features corridor walls that double as displays, projecting a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of data: ship models, numbers, diagrams, and glowing text against a deep ultramarine backdrop. Through tinted glass, the powerful engines and generators are visible.

Kismet boasts a unique hybrid system with PTI (Power Take-In) and PTO (Power Take-Off). Each shaft line delivers up to 600 kW, enough to provide enough power for the everyday needs of 37 crew members and 12 passengers. The yacht can cruise in complete silence for up to 15 minutes—long enough to exit a dock or pass through noise-restricted zones. As technology advances, this duration could be extended.

The primary propulsion comes from two MTU 20V 4000 M73L diesel engines. With a colossal fuel capacity of 360,000 liters, Kismet can travel 6,000 nautical miles autonomously. The yacht is also equipped with a heat recovery system by Danfoss, meeting IMO Tier III standards.

Kismet’s dynamic positioning system ensures stability, even during sea trials conducted without the Quantum stabilizers. The yacht’s steadiness and smooth ride felt as if standing on solid ground.

This was the goal of the hundreds of top-tier professionals—engineers, designers, and craftsmen—who created this floating palace. At night, Kismet sparkles with thousands of lights, making you forget where in the vast ocean you are. It feels like home everywhere.