Her naval architecture and exterior design were developed by Caesar Pinnau, with interiors by Apostolos Molindris & Associates, creating one of the most recognizable yachts in the history of the industry.
Christina O’s interior remains one of the most distinctive and historically layered spaces afloat, shaped by the extensive conversion carried out for Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis after he purchased the former naval vessel in 1954. Onassis reportedly spent more than $4M on the transformation of the yacht for sale, turning a Canadian anti-submarine frigate into what became one of the most famous private vessels in the world.
Among the yacht’s most celebrated spaces is the Lapis Lounge, a richly detailed salon finished with oak and iroko paneling beneath white beams. At its center sits a lapis lazuli-trimmed fireplace, surrounded by artwork from artists including Renoir, Le Corbusier, and Giorgio de Chirico. Nearby, Ari’s Bar remains one of the most talked-about features of the motor yacht for sale. Built using wood salvaged from a Spanish galleon, the half-circular bar includes a glass top that illuminates a relief chart of the sea, while its unusual whale-foreskin bar stools have become part of the yacht’s enduring legend.
Elsewhere on board, a grand dining saloon centers around a 24-seat table supported by several smaller gallery tables, while a music lounge houses a Steinway piano once played by visiting celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Maria Callas. Additional guest areas include a library, sports lounge, gymnasium, children’s playroom, and a Six Senses Spa.
The interior has been carefully restored over multiple refits, most notably during a comprehensive rebuild in 2001 when the yacht was stripped back to the hull while preserving historic features and decorative elements.
Originally launched as the Canadian naval frigate HMCS Stormont, Christina O played an active role during the Second World War and participated in the D-Day landings before her later conversion into a private yacht. When Onassis acquired the vessel at scrap value, the hull was heavily modified, with Caesar Pinnau redesigning both bow and stern to create a more elegant yacht profile.
The compass deck sits at the highest point and features a circular arrangement of sun loungers and a bar, while the bridge deck provides additional teak-lined seating areas.
The promenade deck runs almost the full length of the yacht and leads aft to a raised spa pool terrace with alfresco dining and lounge areas. Perhaps the most famous exterior feature is the Onassis swimming pool on the main deck aft. The saltwater pool is decorated with a Minoan bull mosaic inspired by the Palace of Knossos, and its floor can rise hydraulically to transform the space into a dance floor for evening events. Many original structural elements remain visible on deck, including windlasses, bollards, and the enlarged aft mast that now functions as the yacht’s funnel.
Christina O accommodates up to 34 guests across 17 cabins, supported by a professional crew of up to 41. At the center of the guest accommodation is the Onassis Suite, named after the yacht’s famous owner. This multi-room suite includes a private study, large bedroom, and a bathroom finished in Penteli marble sourced from the same quarry used in the construction of the Parthenon. Baccarat crystal wall lights and Venetian linens add further historical character.
Christina O is built around a full-displacement steel hull with an aluminum superstructure and measures 99.15m with an 11.12m beam and 4.24m draft. Spread across four decks, the yacht has a gross tonnage 1,848GT. Power comes from twin MAN straight-six diesel engines producing a combined 5,550hp, enabling a cruising speed of around 15 knots and a top speed of 19 knots.
Over the decades, Christina O has hosted an extraordinary list of guests including Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Winston Churchill, and John F. Kennedy. Today, following the €38M price reduction, the iconic vessel remains one of the most historically significant yachts ever to appear on the brokerage market.
Christina O is on the market with Morley Yachts and is currently asking €52,000,000.
Another Historic Canadian Vickers Yacht for Sale
According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch, the largest yacht database in the world, the 81m expedition yacht Bart Roberts is also currently on the market - another historic Canadian Vickers vessel. Delivered in 1963 as the Canadian Coastguard vessel Narwhal, the ship was later transformed into a private yacht during a major conversion completed in 2001 under naval architect Lennart Edstrom, with interiors by Tradepower International.
Today the expedition yacht for sale retains much of her robust icebreaker heritage, reflected in a striking red hull and practical expedition layout that includes a helicopter deck, heavy-lift crane, and landing craft capable of transporting vehicles ashore. Inside, the yacht takes a far more theatrical direction, centered around a vast saloon with antique brick flooring, a stone fireplace, and a self-playing Yamaha grand piano.
Currently on the market with YMB Yachting and asking $3,900,000, Bart Roberts represents one of the most unusual large expedition conversions still available on the brokerage market.
Interested in owning a Canadian Vickers yacht? View all new and used Canadian Vickers yachts for sale, tracked in real-time by YachtBuyer MarketWatch. We scan the entire market to ensure access to all genuine listings, saving you time. Alternatively, you can view all superyachts for sale.
