BELLA VITA vs CHAKRA: A Tale of Two Superyacht Charters
At first glance, BELLA VITA and CHAKRA seem to occupy different worlds. One is a pedigreed Lürssen, a paragon of Northern European craftsmanship designed for exclusive Caribbean cruising; the other is a colossal, converted vessel promising grand-scale entertaining in the Arabian Gulf. Yet, for clients with a significant charter budget, they represent two compelling and divergent philosophies of life at sea. BELLA VITA, launched in 2009, offers an intimate sanctuary for 12 guests, attended by an astonishing 22 crew members, ensuring a level of service that is almost telepathic. Her sleek Espen Oeino lines and 15-knot cruising speed speak of sophisticated island-hopping. In contrast, CHAKRA is a force of nature. At 86 metres and accommodating an incredible 24 guests in 21 separate suites, she is a platform built for spectacle. Her 1998 origins, updated with a 2017 refit, allow for a guest capacity unheard of in the mainstream charter fleet, all served by a 30-strong crew. The choice is not simply between two boats, but between two fundamentally different ways to experience a week on the water.
Your decision rests on a single question: what is the purpose of your charter? For an intimate, service-focused escape defined by pedigree and design, BELLA VITA is the connoisseur's choice. For a large-scale celebration, corporate event, or a multi-family gathering where guest numbers are paramount, CHAKRA is not just the better option—she is one of the only options, offering unmatched capacity for her price point. Both deliver, but to entirely different briefs.
Clients seeking a refined, intimate charter with a peerless crew-to-guest ratio on a pedigreed Northern European build, prioritising service and design detail over sheer guest numbers.
Large families, corporate events, or celebratory groups needing to accommodate up to 24 guests. The ideal platform for hosting on a grand scale in the Arabian Gulf.
Specs side by side
Sortable — filter by category, sort by either yacht, or surface the biggest gaps with Δ.
| Length | 75.6 m | 86 mlarger | 10.4 m |
| Beam | 13.5 mlarger | 12 m | 1.5 m |
| Launched | 2009larger | 1998 | 11 |
| Guests | 12 | 24larger | 12 |
| Cabins | 6 | 21larger | 15 |
| Crew | 22 | 30larger | 8 |
| Cruise speed | 15 ktslarger | 12 kts | 3 kts |
| Top speed | — | 14 kts | — kts |
| Cruising range | — | 3,200 nm | — nm |
| Charter type | Motor Yacht | Motor Yacht | — |
| Builder | Lürssen | Davenport | — |
| Cruising region | Caribbean | Arabian Gulf | — |
| Weekly from (EUR) | €556,000 | €495,000 | 61,000 |
Tip: click any column header to sort. Use Δ to surface the biggest spec gaps.
Design & Pedigree
This is where the yachts diverge most profoundly. BELLA VITA is a thoroughbred, born of the revered Lürssen shipyard in Germany with exterior lines by the celebrated Espen Oeino. Launched in 2009, her design DNA represents a high watermark of modern, purpose-built superyachts—balanced, voluminous, and aesthetically flawless. Her 13.5-metre beam on a 75.6-metre hull promises immense interior volume and stability. CHAKRA, on the other hand, has a more industrial heritage. Originally launched as a commercial vessel in 1998, her 2017 conversion into a superyacht is what gives her such a unique profile and capability. Whilst her 86-metre length is impressive, her narrower 12-metre beam hints at her origins. Her aesthetic is bold and imposing rather than sleek. One is a piece of naval architecture as art; the other is a masterclass in ambitious engineering and conversion, creating a charter yacht of unparalleled scale.
On Board Experience
The onboard lifestyle aboard each vessel is a direct result of its design philosophy. BELLA VITA is configured for sophisticated leisure. Her spaces, from the sundeck to the beach club, are designed to provide a seamless blend of indoor-outdoor living for 12 guests. The experience is one of space, privacy, and detail, amplified by a crew that outnumbers guests by nearly two to one. Every moment is curated. CHAKRA’s experience is one of energy and scale. Her decks are vast, designed to accommodate large gatherings, parties, and events. With the ability to host 24 guests, her social areas are necessarily larger and more open-plan. The focus is less on quiet, intimate corners and more on creating a vibrant, shared environment. She is, in essence, a private floating resort, capable of hosting a significant event with ease, a feat few charter yachts can claim.
Accommodation
Herein lies CHAKRA’s unique selling proposition. She offers a staggering 21 suites for just 24 guests. This provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing each guest—or couple—their own private stateroom, which is ideal for corporate charters or groups of friends. By contrast, BELLA VITA follows the classic gold standard: six exceptionally appointed and spacious suites for 12 guests. One can expect her master suite to be a truly palatial apartment, with the remaining guest cabins also being generously proportioned. The choice is stark: on BELLA VITA, 12 guests share a magnificent floating villa with vast private quarters. On CHAKRA, 24 guests enjoy the privacy of individual, albeit smaller, cabins, akin to a boutique hotel. For groups with extended family, security, or personal staff, CHAKRA’s layout is a logistical masterstroke.
Cruising Grounds & Range
Each yacht is perfectly positioned in its respective cruising ground. BELLA VITA, based in the Caribbean, is built for island-hopping. Her 15-knot cruising speed allows for comfortable and efficient passages between islands like St. Barths, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands, maximising time at anchor in secluded bays. Her itinerary is about discovery and enjoying the natural beauty of the region. CHAKRA’s home in the Arabian Gulf dictates a different style of charter. Itineraries here are often focused on the spectacular coastlines of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, moving between iconic marinas, landmarks, and exclusive anchorages. Her 12-knot cruising speed is perfectly adequate for these shorter coastal transits. A charter on CHAKRA is more about the destination as a backdrop for spectacular events on board, rather than a journey of exploration.
Crew, Service & Toys
Service style is a critical differentiator. On BELLA VITA, a crew of 22 attending to 12 guests creates an almost two-to-one ratio. This is the pinnacle of personal service, where the crew can anticipate needs and provide an exceptionally detailed, bespoke experience. The water toy programme, managed by such a large team, will feel effortless for the guests. CHAKRA’s crew of 30 is substantial, but when serving 24 guests, the ratio is closer to one-to-one. The service is necessarily broader, focused on expertly managing a larger, more dynamic group. It is a highly professional, hotel-style service. Her toy collection will be extensive, geared towards ensuring multiple guests can be enjoying the water simultaneously, which is a logistical challenge her experienced crew is equipped to handle.
Pricing & Value
From a purely numerical standpoint, CHAKRA presents a compelling value proposition. At a starting rate of €495,000 for 24 guests, the per-person cost is just under €21,000. For a yacht of this scale and capacity, this is an exceptional figure. BELLA VITA, at $650,000 (approximately €600,000) per week for 12 guests, commands a per-person cost of around €50,000. However, ‘value’ is not just about the per-head price. With BELLA VITA, you are paying a premium for a Lürssen pedigree, an Espen Oeino design, a recent build year, and one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry. It is a price for exclusivity and perfection. CHAKRA’s value lies in her unique ability to do something no other yacht in her price bracket can: host two dozen guests in private suites. For the right client, this capability is priceless, making her arguably the better 'value' for a large-scale event.
FAQ
- Which yacht is bigger, BELLA VITA or CHAKRA?
- CHAKRA is longer at 86 metres compared to BELLA VITA at 75.6 metres. However, BELLA VITA has a wider beam (13.5m vs 12m), giving her a more voluminous feel for her length.
- Which is better for families?
- For large, multi-generational families, CHAKRA is unparalleled due to her 21 cabins. For a single family unit of up to 12 seeking a more intimate and service-rich experience, BELLA VITA is ideal.
- Which has the better water toy programme?
- Whilst we cannot comment without seeing full inventories, BELLA VITA's high crew-to-guest ratio suggests an extremely high level of personal service and instruction. CHAKRA will be equipped to entertain a larger number of guests on the water at once.
- Which yacht is the better value for a charter week?
- On a per-person basis, CHAKRA offers significantly better value due to her ability to divide the cost among 24 guests. However, BELLA VITA's value is in her pedigree and exceptional service, which commands a premium.
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