Casino Royale is a mix of familiar Amels ideas and some very individual choices. There’s a full owner’s deck rather than just a suite, a large spa complex tucked amidships and even a nightclub built into the bridge deck, all layered onto a platform that has already produced eight yachts of this size.
Amels 242
- LOA 74m
- Model Year 2018
- Cabins 6
- Crew 19
- Max Speed 16 knots
- Status Discontinued
- Yacht Type Superyacht
- Use Type Oceangoing
- Vessel M/Y Casino Royale
Review Video
To understand Casino Royale, you first have to understand the platform she comes from. This yacht belongs to the Amels 242 series, part of the Dutch yard’s Limited Editions programme. When Amels introduced the concept in 2005, it was a fairly radical idea for yachts of this size.
Traditionally, a 70m-class yacht would be fully custom, meaning the design and engineering only began once an owner signed a contract, and delivery could take several years. Amels approached the problem differently. The yard carries out much of the engineering and structural work before an owner even appears, so hulls can already be under construction while a buyer is still shaping the project.
Owners still customise heavily, but the platform itself is already proven. The result sits somewhere between a fully custom yacht and a production build - the scale and engineering of the former, but without the same delivery timeline.
Exterior lines come from Tim Heywood, while the interior concept was developed by Winch Design, and naval architecture remains in-house with Amels and Damen Yachting. Heywood’s brief was not simply to make the yacht larger than earlier Limited Editions models, but to give the 74m (242ft) platform a fresh identity while keeping it recognisably Amels.
You can see that thinking in the profile. The decks stretch out in long horizontal lines, and the superstructure stays relatively slim, so the yacht reads as fairly elegant rather than bulky. The bridge wings extend well outboard, and the deck levels step back cleanly aft, which helps the proportions.
The hull is built in steel and the superstructure in aluminium, a combination chosen for strength, durability and acoustic insulation. Construction also reflects the scale of the Damen shipbuilding group. Hull sections are produced within Damen’s wider industrial network, while the final outfitting and finishing work takes place at Amels’ facility in Vlissingen in the Netherlands. So the early stages benefit from large-scale shipbuilding infrastructure, while the detailed engineering and finishing remain under the control of the Dutch yard.
Two architectural ideas sit at the heart of the platform. The first is the dedicated owner’s deck. Rather than placing the owner’s suite on the same level as the main guest accommodation, the Amels 242 gives the owner an entire deck arranged around a forward-facing suite, lounge and private office. It effectively becomes a private apartment within the yacht, with outdoor space at both ends. That separation is one of the defining features of the design.
The second idea revolves around the pool and wellness arrangement. The main deck pool forms a focal point on board, while the spa and wellness centre sit closer to the yacht’s midships area. That position is deliberate because it reduces motion compared with spaces further aft. So when the yacht is at anchor, the gym, sauna and spa areas remain comfortable to use.
Casino Royale follows that core Amels 242 architecture but adds its own character on top of it. Delivered in 2018, she was originally launched under the name Universe as the third hull in the Amels 242 series. While the structure and overall layout remain consistent across the series, individual owners tend to personalise lifestyle features and interior detailing. In this case, it includes a 6.5m (21.3ft) infinity pool and entertainment areas designed for large gatherings.
The main saloon of Casino Royale is where the yacht’s more formal entertaining space begins. Guests can dine on other decks, of course, but if the occasion calls for something a little more lavish, this is the room where it tends to happen.
The centrepiece is the main dining table, and it’s an impressive one. It sits beneath a striking lighting installation that mirrors the shape of the table itself, while surrounding artwork and reflective surfaces help give the whole area a sense of theatre. It’s clearly designed to make an impact when guests sit down for dinner.
There are some interesting details around the room as well. One that immediately stands out is the piano, which has a transparent top so you can actually see the strings inside the instrument.
Just beyond the dining area, the saloon opens into a more relaxed seating space. Sofas gather around a large television, so the room can easily shift from formal dining to a more casual setting for drinks before dinner or perhaps a film afterwards.
Service is handled neatly, too. A passage leads directly through to the galley, which sits just beyond this room, so the crew can move in and out quickly when meals are being served. And along the starboard side, there’s also a beautifully integrated music system.
VIP Cabins
Forward from the main saloon, the guest accommodation begins with a lobby area that links several of the yacht’s decks together. These transitional spaces are surprisingly dramatic aboard Casino Royale.
The elevator arrives here, connecting four decks of the yacht, and the staircase that runs alongside it becomes a design feature in its own right. Marble surfaces continue down through the levels, lighting is built into the walls, and the snake motif that first appears higher up on the yacht winds its way down through the stairwell as well.
Just forward of this lobby sit the two VIP guest cabins. Both are positioned right at the front of the main deck and have ensuite bathrooms. There is also a study nearby that can be converted into an additional cabin if required.
Starting right forward with the first VIP suite, the entrance opens into a walk-in wardrobe before the cabin itself reveals its full scale. The bed sits centrally within the room, and above it, a series of starlight pin lights creates a night-sky effect in the ceiling.
Large windows on either side bring in plenty of natural light, while a small seating area beside the window gives guests somewhere to sit and enjoy the view. The bathroom is equally impressive. There’s a full bathtub positioned beside the window, along with a separate shower, twin sinks and a separate toilet area, so the space functions as a proper bathroom rather than simply a shower room.
The second VIP cabin sits just next door and follows a similar layout, though the proportions are slightly different. The bedroom itself is a little smaller, but it still feels bright and spacious thanks to the large windows on both sides.
There’s also a bureau workspace built into the cabin, which gives guests somewhere to sit and work or simply organise personal belongings. The trade-off comes in the bathroom arrangement. This cabin does not include a bathtub, but in return, it gains a much larger walk-in wardrobe, so the two VIP suites offer slightly different advantages depending on how guests prefer to use the space.
Lower Deck & Spa
Heading down to the lower deck on Casino Royale, you find three additional guest cabins arranged along this level. The layout includes two double cabins and one twin, and all of them are ensuite.
You might assume that being on the lower deck means these cabins feel like a secondary option, but that really isn’t the case here. Each cabin has plenty of storage, including walk-in wardrobes, along with large private bathrooms and generous picture windows. You’re closer to the water down here, of course, but those windows still bring in a good amount of natural light and maintain a nice view outside.
One of the big advantages of staying on this deck is that the guest cabins connect directly to the yacht’s wellness area. The spa sits right alongside the accommodation, so guests can move easily between their cabins and the relaxation spaces without needing to head back up through the yacht.
At the centre of the spa is a large jacuzzi surrounded by a relaxation area, and the lighting overhead gives the whole space the feel of a proper wellness centre rather than just an add-on room within the yacht. It’s surprisingly large for a yacht of this size, and the scale becomes even more apparent as you move through the rest of the facilities.
Just beyond that is the gym, with exercise machines and enough room to move around comfortably, so guests can actually use it for a serious workout.
Continuing around the spa, one section of the hull folds down to create a sea-level terrace. When this platform is lowered, it provides direct access to the water, so guests can step out for a swim and then return straight into the spa area.
The wellness facilities continue with a large sauna and an equally impressive steam room. Both spaces are generously sized, and the steam room in particular feels much larger than you might expect to find on a yacht. There’s seating inside, along with a sink and shower facilities nearby, so the whole area works as a complete spa environment rather than just a collection of individual rooms.
Owner's Deck
One of the more interesting aspects of the design is that the owner doesn’t just have a suite; they have an entire deck. That immediately changes the feel of the whole yacht because it gives the owner a level of separation from the guest areas below, and it also allows a mix of private spaces and entertaining areas to sit together on the same level.
Starting right forward on the owner’s deck, there’s a private outdoor terrace that looks out over the bow. It’s a pleasant place to sit, and there are doors on both sides that lead out to the exterior walkways. What’s particularly useful here is that those side decks can be closed off, so the owner can enjoy this area without guests or crew passing through.
Moving inside brings you into the owner’s suite itself, and this is where the scale of the space really becomes clear. The bed sits centrally in the room facing forward, so when you wake up, the view is straight out over the water. Even with a bed of that size, there’s still plenty of space around it for additional furniture and seating.
A particularly striking feature of this suite is the bathroom arrangement. Rather than a single shared space, the layout provides completely separate his and hers bathrooms on either side of the cabin. Each side includes its own dressing area, and both bathrooms feature large showers finished in marble along with big windows that bring in natural light and views out over the water.
Continuing aft along the deck, there’s also a private office positioned on the starboard side. It’s a comfortable working space with large windows and a desk angled toward the view outside, so even when the owner is working, there’s still a strong connection to the water.
Although this level is called the owner’s deck, it’s also a place where guests could be entertained. A lounge area sits further aft with plenty of seating and a large television, and just beside it there’s a bar along with a round dining table that creates a slightly more informal setting for meals.
Bridge Deck Nightclub
Stepping inside from the bridge deck reveals something rather unusual. Casino Royale has its own nightclub, and it’s not something you come across very often on a yacht.
At the centre of the room is a floating bar with a funky surfboard-like shape. Behind it, there’s plenty of storage for glassware along with refrigeration for drinks, and the bar itself becomes the focal point of the space.
The lighting system is what really defines the atmosphere here. Using a tablet, the crew or guests can control the lighting built into both the floor and the ceiling, changing colours to suit the mood or even switching into a full disco mode when the music starts.
Despite the nightclub concept, the room is actually quite versatile. There’s a large sofa area that works perfectly well as a lounge during the day, and it even includes charging points for devices. A very large television sits opposite the seating, so the space can easily double as a relaxed media room when the party isn’t in full swing.
There’s also a day head on this deck, which means guests spending time outside or in the nightclub have convenient access to a bathroom without needing to head down to the main accommodation levels.
Galley
The galley is on the main deck of Casino Royale, and it’s an impressive space. The reason becomes obvious fairly quickly. This yacht runs with two chefs, and they’re not just cooking for the guests on board but also for the crew, which can number up to 20 when running at full capacity. So the galley needs to handle quite a serious workload.
There’s a lot of cooling space installed, while the professional extraction and ventilation systems keep the environment workable even when both chefs are busy preparing meals.
Ultimately, the key thing with a galley like this is movement. With two chefs working side by side, you need to be able to move around comfortably and safely, and the layout here gives them plenty of room to do exactly that. As working kitchens go on yachts of this size, it’s a very capable setup.
Crew Accommodation
From the galley, heading down a couple of levels brings you to where the crew live on Casino Royale, and it’s actually a very decent space.
One thing that stands out straight away is that it’s split across two sides. There’s seating and dining space on one side, while the opposite side offers additional seating, screens and a small work area, so the crew can spread out a little rather than all being packed into a single room.
They’ve also got a small galley down here as well. There’s a coffee machine, a good-sized fridge and even a dishwasher, so the crew can prepare food and drinks without constantly running back upstairs to the main galley.
As these kinds of spaces go, it’s impressive. We’ve been on yachts of a similar size where the crew living areas are noticeably tighter, but here there’s enough room for people to relax properly and find their own space between shifts.
The first room you encounter in the bridge area is the captain’s cabin. Placing the captain here keeps them close to the operational centre of the yacht. The cabin itself is a comfortable private space with a desk beside the window, a double bed positioned further back and its own ensuite.
Continue forward, and you arrive in the wheelhouse itself. The navigation area has a large chart station fitted with substantial Time Zero screens, allowing digital charts to be monitored easily while still leaving room to spread out traditional paper charts if required. Communication equipment runs alongside the station as well, so the crew can manage navigation and contact with other vessels from the same position.
Just ahead of the chart table is the helm. The wheel and throttles are arranged at a standing leaning post, allowing the officer on watch to operate the yacht comfortably while maintaining a clear view ahead. Sofas line both sides of the wheelhouse, giving the crew somewhere to sit during longer passages while still keeping an eye on the navigation displays and radar screens.
For close manoeuvring, though, the bridge is not always the primary control point. Wing stations are positioned outside on both sides of the wheelhouse, and these provide the captain with a clearer view along the yacht’s sides when docking or working in tight spaces.
Down at water level on Casino Royale, the first thing to note is what you don’t have here. This particular Amels 242 doesn’t feature a traditional beach club, so instead, you have a fixed swim platform at the stern, and part of that platform can lower into the water as well. It also connects through the transom into the engine room, which is fairly typical on a yacht of this size, but the focus of the space isn’t really the platform itself.
That’s because just above it sits one of the yacht’s headline features. The main deck swimming pool dominates this whole area, and it’s an impressive one at that. It’s heated, it can be filled with either fresh or salt water, and it also has a counter-current system built in, so if you actually want to swim properly, you can push against the current.
Around the pool, there’s a generous amount of seating space, and much of it sits under the overhang from the deck above, so you get a good amount of shade while still being right by the water. Guests can swim, relax around the pool, or simply use the space as a place to sit and watch what’s going on in the anchorage.
It’s the sort of area that naturally becomes a daytime hub on board. With the water right beside you and the pool sitting centre stage above the platform, it’s easy to imagine people drifting down here throughout the day and spending a fair amount of time around the pool and the shaded seating.
Owner's Deck Aft
Step outside again onto the aft deck, and you find another generous outdoor space. There’s plenty of room for lounging here as well as open deck space for gatherings, and a fire pit sits at the centre of the seating area, which would be particularly welcome when the yacht is cruising in cooler climates. It’s a relaxed but impressive part of the yacht, and it shows how the owner’s deck works both as a private retreat and as a place to host guests.
Sun Deck
Casino Royale doesn't have the largest sun deck you’ll find on a yacht of this size, but it does have some really lovely features.
The most obvious of these is the hot tub, which forms the centrepiece of the space. Around it, there’s a good amount of sunbathing area, and a couple of seating spots are tucked slightly lower down so guests can relax without necessarily being directly in the sun.
Screens run around the perimeter of the deck, and these help soften the wind while still keeping the views open. At this height, the breeze can be noticeable, so the screens make the space much more comfortable to use.
Walking beneath the navigation mast structure, you’ll also find a fridge integrated into the cabinetry, which means cold drinks are always close at hand while guests are spending time up here.
Further aft, there’s additional sunbathing space, as every good sun deck should have. It’s a straightforward arrangement, but with the hot tub, the seating and the surrounding sun pads, it works well as a relaxed spot at the highest point of the yacht.
Bridge Deck
Dropping down from the sun deck brings you onto the bridge deck of Casino Royale, and at this size of yacht, the scale of the deck spaces is exactly what you would expect. What stands out here, though, are the details. Even something as functional as the stainless steel railings immediately catches the eye, because the gauge and finish of the metalwork are exceptional.
The deck itself is arranged as a relaxed outdoor entertaining space. There’s a comfortable seating area and a large dining table, so guests can sit out here for meals while still enjoying the elevated views over the water. The breeze tends to be particularly pleasant at this height, and the combination of seating and dining space makes it a very usable deck throughout the day.
Service is handled easily from the bar positioned nearby, which allows the crew to keep drinks flowing without needing to disappear inside too often. Tucked into one corner, there’s also a barbecue, so food can be prepared directly on deck when guests are dining outside.
Engine Room
Rather than everything being crammed into one room, the technical systems are split into different sections, which is something Amels tends to do quite well.
In one area, you’ve got systems like water treatment equipment and shore power handling, and keeping those separated from the main machinery makes the whole space easier to manage. Alongside that sits a dedicated workshop, and this is where the engineers can line up their tools and carry out maintenance tasks. It’s a proper working area rather than just a small bench tucked into the engine room.
Moving further through the space brings you to the engineering control room. This is where the engineers spend much of their time, and it acts as the monitoring centre for the yacht’s systems. Switching panels and monitoring equipment line the walls, and there are camera feeds as well, so even when they’re not physically inside the engine room, the engineers can still keep an eye on what’s happening throughout the machinery spaces.
Beyond the control room sits the main machinery space, and on Casino Royale, the engine room is split over two levels. On the lower level, you find the main engines themselves, and standing next to them really gives you a sense of scale.
Propulsion comes from a pair of Caterpillar engines producing around 2,700hp each, and they drive the yacht through direct shafts. They are large pieces of machinery, but the layout around them is surprisingly accessible. There’s room to move along both sides of the engines, and because the systems are spread across two levels, the space doesn’t feel overcrowded with equipment.
Tender Garage
Climbing up a short set of steps from the machinery level brings you into the tender garage, and it’s quite a garage. Two tenders are stored here along with the yacht’s water toys, all tucked neatly into the space.
On one side sits the RIB, which is typically used for watersports such as water skiing or wakeboarding. It’s the kind of tender that guests will use when they want to get out on the water and play.
Alongside it sits the limo tender, and this one is used primarily for transporting guests. The enclosed design keeps passengers protected if the weather isn’t perfect, and the tender itself sits quite low so it can fit neatly inside the garage.
The garage also houses four jet skis, and all of these craft are launched through large side shell doors. The side panels open outward, and cranes mounted overhead lift the tenders out before lowering them down into the water. It’s a practical system, and it means the yacht can quickly deploy everything from guest transport to watersports equipment whenever needed.
Our Verdict
You don’t deliver eight yachts of this size without getting the fundamentals right. It offers a whole lot within a 75m (246ft) envelope, and that is really the strength of the Amels 242. It gives owners a proven foundation and then lets them make it their own. Judging by the number of repeat clients choosing the series, that balance appears to be exactly what many owners are looking for.
Reasons to Buy
- Private Owner's Deck
- Epic wellness centre
- On board nightclub
- Main deck swimming pool
Things to Consider
- Styling is quite traditional
- No helipad
Looking to own a Amels 242? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Amels 242 Yachts for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Amels 242, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used yachts for sale and find your perfect yacht today!
Rivals to Consider
The Amels 242 belongs to the earlier generation of Amels’ Limited Editions programme, which built repeatable platforms around proven engineering while still allowing extensive owner customisation. Today that concept continues with the newer Amels 60 and Amels 80, making the 242 something of a “classic” Limited Editions design. Its closest internal comparison is the Amels 220, delivered as Neninka at 67.6m (221.8ft) and 1,518GT. The step up to the 242 adds around 6.4m (21ft) in length and roughly 272GT of volume, while shifting the layout back to six cabins for 12 guests.
Tankoa’s S701 sits closest to the Amels 242 in size and philosophy. At 72m (236.2ft) with an 11.60m (38.1ft) beam and around 1,600GT, it follows the same displacement superyacht formula built around long-range cruising and large deck areas. The standout figure is range, with Tankoa quoting roughly 7,000nm at 10 knots, compared with the Amels 242’s 5,000nm at 12.5 knots.
Considering a new yacht? Explore Amels' entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Builder Amels
- Range Limited Editions
- Model Amels 242
- Length Overall 74m
- Beam 12.45m
- Draft(full load) 3.85m
- Hull Steel
- Cabins 6
- Berths 12
- Crew 19
- Yacht Type (Primary) Superyacht
- Use Type (Primary) Oceangoing
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 175,000 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 39,000 Litres
- Engine Model 2x Caterpillar 3516E A02
- Engine HP 2720
- Engine economic speed 10 knots
- Engine max range (speed type) 5000 (nm)
Amels 242 Layout
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Sun Deck
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![Sun Deck Amels 242]()
The sun deck isn't huge but the hot tub is in a great position
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Upper Deck
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![Upper Deck Amels 242]()
The bridge deck is home to the nightclub
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Owners Deck
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![Owners Deck Amels 242]()
The owner's deck is vast and incorporates living spaces and outdoor terraces fore and aft
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Main Deck
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![Main Deck Amels 242]()
The guest cabins are forward on the main deck
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Lower Deck
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![Lower Deck Amels 242]()
The wellness centre and gym are on the lower deck and link directly to the sea
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Under the Lower Deck
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![Under the Lower Deck Amels 242]()
Crew quarters are forward on the tank deck
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