Even for those accustomed to superyachts, the Rising Sun—the floating palace with a particular fondness for anchoring in Mallorca—is in a league of its own. Just look at its list of distinguished guests: Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, and Kris Jenner, among others.
These days, it’s the *Friends* actresses Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox and *The Mandalorian* star Pedro Pascal who are enjoying the *Rising Sun*, owned by media mogul David Geffen—a staple of the Balearic summer that is currently anchored off Sa Foradada.
At 138 meters in length, the Rising Sun ranks among the world’s largest private yachts, a size that allows it to feature five full decks dedicated to its guests’ relaxation, leisure, and social life. Valued at over $400 million, the yacht was delivered in 2004 by the German shipyard Lürssen (founded in Bremen in 1875 and responsible for projects such as the Azzam, Dilbar, and Nord) based on an exterior design by the late Jon Bannenberg, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century naval architecture.
Interestingly, the yacht was not built for Geffen; it was originally built for Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, who sold it in 2010 because he considered it too large and opted for a smaller, 88-meter yacht.
The interior, designed by Seccombe Design and Bannenberg & Rowell, combines an elegant, contemporary style with a distinctly functional approach. Of its 82 rooms, only 16 are reserved for guests of honor, spread across eight luxury cabins, while the crew—numbering up to 45—is accommodated in 30 separate cabins. The large main salon seats 18 diners, and there are also multiple lounges and dining rooms that offer different atmospheres for every moment of the day.
Among its most notable amenities are a state-of-the-art spa, a climate-controlled wine cellar capable of storing a selection of wines under optimal conditions even on the high seas, a private gym, and a movie theater equipped with cutting-edge technology. To top off its versatility, the ship features a basketball court that, if necessary, can be converted into a helipad for the private travel of its passengers.
Behind that façade of comfort lies world-class engineering: the steel hull and aluminum superstructure reduce weight and improve efficiency, while four MTU 20V 8000 diesel engines—among the most advanced in the world in their class—deliver a maximum power output of 13,590 kW. This allows the Rising Sun to reach a top speed of 28 knots and cruise at 26 knots—remarkable figures for a vessel of its size. Its range of 6,000 nautical miles makes it suitable for long ocean crossings without the need to refuel.
Keeping the vessel operational requires an annual expenditure of between 25 and 40 million dollars and a permanent crew of 45, responsible for both the technical operation of the ship and providing personalized service to each guest. The yacht is not available for charter or for sale, and it is normally based in the Caribbean, from where it sets out on its summer cruises through the Mediterranean.
Over the years, the ship has welcomed guests such as Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney, and—earlier this summer—Oprah Winfrey and Kris Jenner, cementing the Rising Sun’s status as a favorite retreat for Hollywood’s elite. The yacht is not without its share of controversy: in March 2020, Geffen faced criticism after publicizing his pandemic lockdown aboard the vessel in the Caribbean.
