From the military frigate to the luxurious superyacht
In July 1943, the River Class frigate - named HMCS Stormont - commanded by the Canadian Navy was launched at the Canadian shipyard Vickers Ltd. in Montreal. It was used in anti-submarine warfare during the Second World War and participated in many historical battles, including the Battle of the Atlantic and the Normandy Landings.
Military ship until 1954, it was then bought the same year for 30?000 $, by the Greek billionaire Aristotle Onassis. He is the most famous Greek shipowner of the 20th century and one of the most mundane personalities of the mid-century. His mistress was the famous singer Maria Callas before marrying Jacqueline Kennedy in 1968.
After a 4 million euro refit, the frigate was transformed into a splendid and luxurious 99.13 m superyacht. A real floating palace, the yacht was renamed Christina O, the name of the owner's eldest daughter. Its design by Caesar Pinnau is easily recognizable with its rounded bow and superstructure or its large yellow chimney.
An English mansion decor
On board, the layout is elegant and sumptuous, but also very comfortable. There are 18 cabins - 10 double cabins on the main deck forward and 8 more on the lower deck - and an incredible main cabin - the Onassis suite - with 3 spaces. The owner has a double bed framed by baccarat crystal lamps, a white marble bathroom and a desk with a large oak bookcase. There is a splendid onyx fireplace. The cabins are named after Greek islands, which is still the case today, and are decorated to Jackie O's taste.
There are many sights on board. Starting with the Ari's Bar still in its original state. This bar covered with solid wood rope was built from the hull of a cast Spanish galleon. Its furniture consists of whale bones and killer whales, while the bar stools are made of whale skin.
The Lapis Lounge - named after its lapis chimney - houses a grandstand with a splendid Steinway piano, on which Maria Callas or Franck Sinatra had played
The living spaces on board are spacious, such as the large dining room with a huge table that can accommodate 24 people, and richly decorated, such as this splendid spiral staircase.
Outside, we find the original mosaic pool, which can now be transformed into a dance floor or a helicopter run.
The stars' yacht
Now the most luxurious and high-tech yacht of its time, many political figures and Hollywood stars followed one another on board. The boat and its prestigious occupants made the headlines of the many newspapers of the time. It is the symbol of a period of rhinestones and sequins and American glamour.
Sumptuous evenings are organized on board and include Sir Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline Kennedy, Ava Gardner and John Wayne..
It was also on board Christina O that Aristotle Onassis joined his mistress Maria Callas. Two weddings were organised on board the yacht, the owner's wedding with Jackie O in 1968 and Prince Rainier III of Monaco's wedding with Grace Kelly.
A new life for Christina O
Owned by Onassis until 1975, the boat was transferred by her daughter, Christina, to the Greek government upon the death of her father. But in the political context of the time, this present is difficult and the yacht - renamed Argo - is abandoned and is gradually deteriorating.
In 1998, a friend of the Onassis family - John Paul Papanicolaou - bought it and began restoring it. A tedious and long work that costs $50 million. In 2001, he regained his original glory and his new owner renamed him Onassis' eldest daughter's name in memory of his friend.
Today, the boat is offered for charter by several charter companies and offers new living spaces, which did not exist at the time. Thus, tenants now have a fitness room, a children's playroom, a spa, a hairdresser, a heliport, a jacuzzi, a television or a dance hall, etc.
Everything has been designed to have fun on the water with tenders, windsurfing boards, jet skis, an overboard, full diving equipment and even a banana (inflatable toy towed by a motor boat).
It is necessary to count 560?000 euros in low season in summer and 700?000 euros in winter for a week's rental.
