Licence to thrill: John Staluppi's James Bond superyachts

Hot on the market, the unveiling of Staluppi's latest project swiftly follows the announcement of its sale at the 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show. Of his 18 yachts that he has commissioned to date, the 82-metre Project Bond takes the crown as the largest he has ever owned, which, when delivered, will become the shipyard's new flagship. According to the yard, she has been designed as an evolution of Bilgin's 80-metre 263 platform and will be defined by "volume, light, long-range capability and a deeply personal approach to life at sea".

For the next project, Staluppi shifted his focus from speed for speed’s sake to maximising performance potential. “She’s done 21.5 knots, which is pretty impressive for a yacht of her size,” he says of the 2018-launched 69-metre Spectre. With Spectre, they wanted to improve on her predecessor and merge comfort and speed, returning to Benetti to build the new project. The Staluppis added to the team a Dutch naval architect they had trusted for many years, Frank Mulder of Mulder Design, to complete the project.

Taking the top spot for size once again, Staluppi's 72-metre Casino Royale, built by Tankoa Yachts, is also the shipyard's flagship vessel. Another yacht from the James Bond-named fleet, the motor yacht sports a design by Francesco Paszkowski with a tall white structure and lengthy dark glazing across her profile. Highlights on board emulate the Bond lifestyle, including a wellness hub with a glass-walled gym, sauna and hammam spa, and a master suite with its own private terrace.

The Amels' 74-metre Casino Royale was next for Staluppi, showcasing custom interior design work by Winch Design alongside exteriors by Tim Heywood. The 74-metre Dutch build stands as "one of the most successful designs in the Amels Limited Editions series", according to her builders. On board, she features a dedicated owner's deck with a spa pool fit for James Bond himself.

Launched in May 2012 by Turquoise Yachts, Quantum of Solace was once again a winner, boasting the largest branded Turkish yacht afloat at the time. She won three Neptunes at the ShowBoats Design Awards and World Superyacht Awards in 2013 and was extensively refitted in 2020. Staying true to the Bond decadence, a helicopter pad can be found on the foredeck alongside a spa pool on the sundeck to relax in when soaking up the rays. 

The glass-encased elevator, flanked by spectacular artwork in the main foyer, provides access to all three decks of the 61-metre James Bond-inspired Benetti superyacht Diamonds Are Forever.  Launched in 2011, her lavish interior was designed by Evan K. Marshall. Guests have plenty of options for relaxing on board, including a full beauty salon.

Skyfall was launched in 2010 and later bought by Staluppi as a pre-owned vessel before he sold it in 2018. Built by American yard Trinity Yachts, the multi-award-winning 57.9-metre is a superyacht designed and destined for charter, accommodating 12 guests across six cabins plus a crew of 14. The yacht, which is currently for sale at $24,500,000 with FGI Yacht Group, was constructed in aluminium to a design by Geoff Van Aller, who penned an elongated exterior adorned with extensive glazing and curvaceous lines across four decks.

Launched in 2004 by Neptunus – Millennium, a Dutch shipyard part-owned by Staluppi, the 42.4-metre The World Is Not Enough can achieve a maximum speed to match the James Bond theme, reaching a speedy 67 knots. “Sportfishing boats had started doing 42 knots, 44 knots and some of the smaller boats did 80 kilometres per hour,” says Staluppi. “We would go by those boats; I would have a cocktail in my hand and give the people a ‘how you doing?’ Nobody could believe it.”

When Staluppi heard that the Aga Khan was planning to build a yacht capable of 65 knots, he commissioned Norship to build him a lightning-fast 36.6-metre model. The Aga Khan’s boat achieved a respectable 57 knots, but Staluppi’s new toy Moonraker, which hit the water in 1992, reached an impressive 66.7 knots. She was the second boat in Staluppi’s long-term relationship with Mulder Design.

Having got a taste for speed after For Your Eyes Only, Staluppi dialled it up with 40.3-metre Octopussy, launched in 1988 by Heesen. He asked Frans Heesen for the fastest yacht in the world and recalls that he told the yard owner: “The boat has to do over 50 knots. If it does under 50 knots, I don’t have to take the boat. If the boat does 51 knots or more, for every knot over 51 knots we would pay a $200,000 bonus.” It did 53 knots.