Usually, super yachts add weight to a celebrity’s image. But sometimes, it is the stars who make super yachts famous, as in the case of Johnny Depp.

Johnny Depp once had a luxurious ‘pirate ship’ – Photo: Autoevolution

Johnny Depp has gone through major upheavals. Once the highest paid star in Hollywood, at his peak, he was paid more than 900 million USD. But that amount gradually decreased to $100 million, peaking at $150 million.

This was due to a number of factors, including his tumultuous marriage to Amber Heard, Aquaman ‘s Mera , allegations of domestic violence (Depp is now suing Heard for being the abuser), and an uncontrolled lifestyle, such as spending $500,000 a month on alcohol alone.

While still Disney’s most beloved “pirate”, Johnny Depp was also the owner of one of the most famous yachts: the Vajoliroja – often described as the perfect combination of a gypsy caravan , luxury hotels in the Art Deco style and the most beautiful private carriages.

This yacht is not famous for its huge size, equipped with luxurious or expensive amenities, but simply because it is the ship of “pirate of the Caribbean” Johnny Depp. Unfortunately, the Hollywood star had to sell Vajoliroja in 2016 to avoid bankruptcy. This also comes up in the ongoing lawsuit between Depp and Heard.

Vajoliroja is famous for being associated with the image of Johnny Depp – Photo: Autoevolution

The fate between Johnny Depp and super yacht

Vajoliroja first hit the water in 2001. The hull is steel, with an aluminum superstructure, fiberglass-reinforced polymer (also known as fiber-reinforced polymer) and teak. Typically, celebrities buy a yacht new, but Johnny Depp looked on the used market because he wanted something with character. He bought Anatolia (Vajoliroja’s original name) in 2006 for an undisclosed sum.

When purchased, Anatolia was a yacht that blended the naval architecture of Tanju Kalaycioglu and the interior styling of Redman Whiteley. Then, when it returned to Depp in 2006, the interior was replaced with a pirate-themed design by LM Pagano. The name was also changed to Vajoliroja, an abbreviation of the first letters of the family members’ names: Vanessa, Johnny, Lily-Rose and Jack.

According to Autoevolution , the refurbishment cost more than $7 million, bringing the estimated value of the entire yacht to around $30 million.

After buying it, Johnny Depp decorated the boat with the pirate theme that is closely associated with him – Photo: Autoevolution

After Johnny Depp’s wedding to Amber Heard, the yacht was renamed Amphitrite, wife of the sea god Poseidon in Greek mythology.

In early 2016, when Depp was forced to sell the property, Harry Potter author JK Rowling, too fond of furniture, bought it back at a price reported by the media as 24 – 28.9 million USD. Less than a year later, for unknown reasons, she sold it for $19 million. The current owner is unknown, but is believed to be a businessman. The old pirate super yacht now sails under the name Arriva.

But no matter how many owners it passes through, the Pagano interior, which creates the unique personality of this superyacht, remains intact.

Pirate-themed interior

Super yachts have a bold pirate character, reflecting the personality of the most influential owner. Highlights are luxurious materials such as Italian velvet, silk, jacquard fabric (patterns are woven directly, not embroidered or printed), antiques brought from all over the world, luxurious chenille fabric on the walls , decorative feathers, furniture with 24 karat gold accents – Photo: Autoevolution

At first glance, this interior is very overwhelming. But in his only interview with Boat International many years ago, Pagano said that Depp himself participated in the design. Although it feels claustrophobic at first, after adapting, it not only feels beautiful but can even feel like a cool and comfortable “cave” – ​​Photo: Autoevolution

Each cabin has its own decorations with pirate-style lettering. Each cabin also has a private bathroom – Photo: Autoevolution

There’s no helipad, swimming pool or jacuzzi, but there is a large outdoor dining area, canopy back, cozy sundeck – Photo: Autoevolution

In the “house” there is a dining room and a cinema – Photo: Autoevolution

A series of water toys, including a small ship at the bow – Photo: Autoevolution

Equipped with two upgraded Caterpillar diesel engines, Vajoliroja can reach a maximum speed of 13.5 knots and has a range of 2,300 nautical miles (4,269km) – Photo: Autoevolution

Johnny Depp once said, “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to go wherever you’re happy.” Today, Vajoliroja has become Arriva, a means for someone other than Depp to get to that happy place.