In Review: 111.5-metre mega yacht TIS from Lürssen
Mega yachts have taken centre-stage over the past year and prestigious German shipyard Lürssen delivers one of the year’s most anticipated vessels in 111.5m/365.10ft mega yacht TIS.
Styled inside and out by award-winning British studio Winch Design, luxury yacht TIS is lavish in her surroundings as well as the wealth of amenities she has to offer: The brief from the Owners called for living spaces that felt light, fresh and open but had a classical flourish.
Each area has been individually styled to present its own personality, with bas-relief lemon groves, mosaics and French styling spanning the periods from Louis XIV to XVIII. Calacatta Vogli marble is one of the main materials used throughout and is accented by 24 carat gold accents on the ceiling.
As the world still becomes acquainted with all her on board amenities and talented crew of 38, charter guests have at their fingertips a gym, hammam, massage room and beauty salon, indoor and outdoor cinemas, a helideck that doubles as a dance floor and even a tea room, with the Owner’s suite also having a private galley and hair salon.
Outdoor delights
Beach clubs have become a superyacht essential and to further enhance their connection with the water large swim platforms have also become a common sight, allowing for parties, sunbathing and spreading out the water toys in fantastic locations such as the La Maddalena Islands north of Sardinia, or the cultural hot spots of Cannes and Monaco.
To make a further statement, two sweeping staircases join with the main deck where a lounge is set out along the stern, and a circular alfresco dining table is placed under the Owner’s deck overhang for shade. A nearby wet bar will ensure that the drinks are as flowing as the conversation when hosting on board events.
The Owner’s deck has a more formal outdoor dining area that serves all 18 guests plus one, and a lounge setting along the stern allows the group to continue the dinner conversation in the sunshine or starlight. The foredeck is also located on this level and gives access to the helipad which when cleared can also be used as a dance floor or an outdoor cinema with sofa/sunbeds and drinks tables for all guests.
Mediterranean inspired indulgences
The beach club is likely to be the first interior space guests encounter, and one that immediately bestows guests with the utmost quality and comfort: The art deco style that originated in France almost a century ago still exudes the luxurious and elegant qualities it possessed when it first came into fashion, even when pared down to blend effortlessly with the rest of the rooms as they change from one era to the next, spanning destinations across the world. Lime-washed oak panels create a calm and bright interior furnished with sofas and a dining table where guests can take life at their leisure enjoying cocktails from the grand bar. Behind the beach club is a A side door leads to the starboard sauna, ice fountain and shower with a fold-down swim platform – perfect for hot sunny days and evenings in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and beyond.
On the main deck where the Owner’s office is also situated, the aft lounge is a gorgeous combination of 16th-18th Century French-inspired furnishings such as the lacquered filigree tables, completed by the silk carpet in pale blue and cream. The formal dining room is separate and boasts custom made Preciosa chandeliers that fit perfectly with the columns, candelabras, traditional artwork and furnishings embossed in gold. Natural light floods in from the full-height windows framed by curtains, ensuring that guests have the right balance between privacy and views of the local scenery during a meal.
The main salon staircase in marble with a handrail in steel and gold sweeps up to connect with the Owner’s deck, which has a second more casual salon. The Owner’s suite forward uses white, gold and robin’s egg blue as its main colours that also flow through its Mediterranean frescoes lit by natural light through the 180 degree windows.
The main spa situated on the bridge deck awes visitors with its stone carved lemon trees framing the doors and branching across the ceiling with gold painted lemons as eye-catching accents. The hammam, massage room and hair salon floors are covered in a hand-chipped mosaic for an aged appearance and the walls have a matching Capri theme.
The top deck tea room bathes in natural light through the full-height windows, and whether guests take their tea as an everyday ritual or a rare treat, they are sure to feel revived in the fresh mint green surroundings with the bracing sea air awaiting outside beyond the glass sliding doors.
Connecting all of these decks is the statement staircase, which spirals up through the 15m/49ft atrium. A lift/elevator adjacent is detailed by Beaux Arts and provides guests with a plush seat as they wait to reach their floor.
A new destination in each en-suite cabin
It’s in the en-suite accommodation that the French focus in the decoration is finally broken so that other destinations that are favourites with the Owners can have their moment to shine:
Provence features silk wallpaper in pale lemon yellow with bees as its primary motif. In comparison, the China Seas has bamboo side tables and an embroidered bamboo pattern flowing up the side that crosses the windows. Textured canvas and predominantly mint green walls enhance the sense of calm within. Both cabins are convertible from doubles to twins and are placed on the lower deck, along with cabins Russian Dacha and Tuscany. Both of these bedrooms make use of custom hand-carved headboards, matching marbles for the side tables and bathrooms, and bespoke fittings such as the curtain tiebacks to transport guests to their respective locations.
On the main deck, London, Paris, New York and Marrakech await. London sports marquetry and mahogany for strong and rich accents in the furniture, while Paris shows a softer side using Fleur-de-Lis and Toile de Jouy patterns in the wallpaper and fabrics. The art deco to be found in the beach club takes on a New York slant in its respective bedroom, and Marrakech is full of Eastern promise with mother-of-pearl inlay in the furniture contrasting robust pink accents. All of these cabins are doubles and come with the option of a sofa bed.
Water toys and transport galore
When kitting out the interiors, the water toys storage hasn’t been neglected, and the current known collection contains Waverunners, Sea scooters, Seabobs, sailing dinghies, windsurfers, kayaks, snorkelling equipment, Scuba diving gear and fishing gear.
With the range providing for various ages, fitness levels and hobbies on board, one afternoon could be spent with adventure seekers exploring the caves around the Balearic Islands while the rest of the group enjoys a sedate moment fishing for lunch in the sunshine. The following day, kayak along the Corsican beaches or make use of the sea breezes to power along the shores.
For travel on land guests have the choice of scooters or bikes to reach the destination at leisure and take in all the sights along the way.
The range of tenders provides safe and efficient travel between superyachts and to sandy shores, while the helipad on the foredeck allows guests and visitors to come and go as they please without interrupting the itinerary.
Cutting edge engineering
The engine room is meticulously maintained and just as impressive as the interiors above – a short walk down the central engine room hallway will reveal the machinery at work behind massive panes of glass. Capable of a top speed of 18 knots, mega yacht TIS will take her Owners and guests throughout any cruising ground in good time.
TIS is worthy of her title as a mega yacht and another example of the expertise of Lürssen and Winch Design.