Aman’s First Superyacht, Amanpuri: Where It Will Sail in 2027 — Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Ionian Routes Revealed

Amanpuri Sets Sail: The Launch of Aman’s First Superyacht

In May 2027, Aman Resorts will launch its first-ever superyacht, Amanpuri, a custom-built 85-meter vessel constructed by Italian shipbuilder Benetti at its Viareggio facility. Unlike conventional luxury yachts, Amanpuri is engineered as a floating extension of Aman’s ethos—minimalist design, hyper-personalized service, and deep cultural immersion. The yacht will operate exclusively for Aman guests and members of its Aman Private Club, with no third-party charters permitted. Its maiden season spans May through October 2027, offering three distinct seasonal itineraries across the western and central Mediterranean: the French Riviera & Ligurian Coast (May–June), Croatia’s Dalmatian Archipelago (July–August), and Greece’s Ionian Islands (September–October). Each route features fixed anchorages—not just ports—but secluded bays accessible only to vessels under 100 meters, ensuring privacy and ecological sensitivity.

The project began in 2022 with architectural oversight by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who also designed Aman Tokyo and Aman Venice. Naval architecture was handled by Lateral Naval Architects, while interior design integrates natural materials—oiled teak decks, hand-finished limestone flooring, and silk-cotton upholstery sourced from ethical cooperatives in Uzbekistan and Japan. With a gross tonnage of 2,480 GT and a draft of just 3.6 meters, Amanpuri can navigate narrow channels like the Strait of Otranto and the Bay of Kotor—routes inaccessible to larger megayachts. Its hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system reduces CO₂ emissions by 37% compared to industry benchmarks and meets IMO Tier III emission standards. Certification includes RINA Green Plus and ISO 14064-1 for carbon accounting.

The French Riviera & Ligurian Coast Itinerary (May–June 2027)

The inaugural voyage begins in Cannes on 12 May 2027, with embarkation at Port Canto. Over 12 days, Amanpuri traces a refined arc from the Côte d’Azur eastward into Italy’s Liguria, emphasizing gastronomic provenance and artisanal heritage. Guests will not dock at crowded marinas but anchor offshore near private coves—such as Calanque de Sugiton near Cassis—and tender ashore via silent electric RIBs. Each stop includes curated access: a private tasting at Château Saint-Pierre in Bandol (est. 1947, certified organic since 2015), a truffle-foraging walk with Michelin-starred chef Laurent Pourcel in the hills above Grasse, and a textile workshop at the historic Frette linen mill in Albenga.

Gastronomy at Sea and Shore

Culinary programming is led by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Aman’s Global Culinary Director, who has developed six rotating menus for the voyage—all centered on hyper-local sourcing. Onboard, the 24-seat Restaurant Amanpuri serves dishes like bouillabaisse de Saint-Tropez made with fish landed same-day at La Seyne-sur-Mer’s municipal fish market (open daily 5:30–13:00), or trofie al pesto genovese using basil harvested within 48 hours from farms in the Val Polcevera valley. Every menu includes a ‘Terroir Tasting Flight’—three small pours of wine or olive oil matched to specific microclimates, such as the granite-rich soils of Porquerolles Island or the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (for Sicilian stops added in late-June extensions).

Guests receive a digital Amanpuri Journal upon boarding—a bespoke app syncing with onboard biometric wristbands to log preferences, dietary restrictions, and even circadian rhythm data (via optional sleep tracking) to adjust meal timing and lighting. This system informs kitchen scheduling: if a guest prefers lighter dinners after 20:00, their evening amuse-bouche shifts from smoked sardine cracker to chilled melon gazpacho with mint oil.

Maritime Heritage & Conservation Partnerships

Amanpuri’s operations align with local marine conservation mandates. In partnership with the French Marine Protected Area Agency (AMP), the yacht avoids anchoring within 500 meters of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows—a UNESCO-recognized habitat critical for carbon sequestration. Instead, it uses four dynamic positioning thrusters to hold station without dropping anchor. Guests participate in citizen science initiatives: recording cetacean sightings via hydrophone arrays installed beneath the hull (calibrated to detect fin whale vocalizations at 20 Hz) and contributing water quality data to the MedSeA monitoring network.

The itinerary includes two dedicated conservation days: one at the Calanques National Park’s research station in Marseille (access granted exclusively to Amanpuri guests), where marine biologists demonstrate non-invasive coral health assessment techniques; another aboard the yacht itself, featuring a lecture series co-hosted by Dr. Maria Pia Rinaldi of the University of Genoa’s Institute of Marine Sciences on microplastic filtration technologies deployed on Amanpuri’s greywater treatment system (capable of removing 99.97% of particles >1 micron).

Croatia’s Dalmatian Archipelago (July–August 2027)

From 1 July, Amanpuri repositions to Split, entering Croatian waters under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. Its eight-week Dalmatian program emphasizes medieval urbanism, Byzantine ecclesiastical art, and sustainable fisheries. Unlike mass-market cruise lines that cluster in Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbor, Amanpuri anchors nightly in remote locations—including the uninhabited island of Šćedro near Korčula and the submerged Roman villa site off Vis Island—accessible only by tender. All shore excursions require advance permits issued by the Croatian Ministry of Culture, limiting group size to 14 per visit.

Key ports include Hvar (with private access to the 16th-century Fortica fortress), Mljet National Park (overnight anchorage inside the Great Lake, a saltwater lake formed 12,000 years ago), and the Kornati archipelago (a protected area of 140 islands where commercial fishing is banned). The yacht carries its own desalination unit producing 18,000 liters of potable water daily—eliminating reliance on municipal infrastructure in fragile island communities.

Artisan Collaborations and Cultural Immersion

Amanpuri partners with Croatian institutions including the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb to curate encounters unavailable elsewhere. Guests attend a private kolo folk dance rehearsal with the Split-based ensemble “Lira,” visit the 12th-century Benedictine monastery on the island of Lokrum (closed to the public except for UNESCO researchers), and learn stone-carving techniques from artisans trained at the School of Stonemasonry in Kaštela—a tradition documented since 1420.

Culinary highlights include a multi-course dinner aboard the yacht prepared with ingredients sourced solely from Dalmatian producers certified by the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture’s Znak kvalitete (Quality Mark) program. This includes Pag cheese aged on wind-swept island pastures (minimum 6 months aging), dried figs from the island of Brač (harvested 15–25 September annually), and wild asparagus foraged in the Biokovo mountains. A standout experience is the ‘Adriatic Salt Pan Experience’ on the island of Pag, where guests harvest sea salt using 1,200-year-old wooden rakes and taste seven varietals crystallized at different evaporation stages—from brine to flake.

Greece’s Ionian Islands Circuit (September–October 2027)

In early September, Amanpuri transits south through the Strait of Otranto into Greek waters, operating under the Hellenic Register of Shipping (HRS) and adhering to the country’s 2025 Sustainable Tourism Act. The Ionian itinerary centers on philoxenia—the ancient Greek concept of hospitality—as interpreted through archaeological stewardship, monastic gastronomy, and climate-resilient agriculture. Ports include Corfu (anchoring in secluded Paleokastritsa Bay), Paxos (with access to the 11th-century Monastery of Agios Nikolaos), and Ithaca (where guests join archaeologists from the University of Ioannina excavating Mycenaean-era olive presses).

All landings occur at designated eco-docks built with recycled PET plastic pilings and solar-powered lighting. These docks are part of Greece’s national Blue Growth Initiative, launched in 2024 with €210 million in EU Recovery and Resilience Facility funding. Amanpuri contributes 0.5% of its charter revenue to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Ancient Monuments, supporting conservation of sites like the Temple of Apollo in Corinth.

Monastic Vineyards and Olive Heritage

One of the most distinctive components of the Ionian leg is collaboration with Orthodox monasteries managing vineyards and groves under ecclesiastical land trusts. At the Monastery of Vlacherna on Corfu, guests tour terraced plots planted with the indigenous Robola grape—grown organically since 1998—and taste limited-release wines matured in 200-year-old oak casks. Similarly, on Ithaca, they harvest Koroneiki olives alongside monks from the Monastery of Panagia Exometora, then press them into oil using a 19th-century hydraulic press restored to working order in 2026.

The yacht’s onboard Olive Oil Library houses 42 single-estate extra virgin oils from across the Mediterranean, each with QR-coded provenance documentation verified by the International Olive Council. Guests compare sensory profiles—bitterness, fruitiness, pungency—using ISO 660:2020 standardized tasting methodology under guidance from master taster Dr. Elena Katsarou of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Technical Specifications and Operational Rigor

Amanpuri’s engineering reflects Aman’s commitment to operational excellence. Its hull is constructed from high-tensile steel (grade AH36) with aluminum superstructure (AlMg4.5Mn), reducing weight by 19% versus conventional builds. The vessel carries 140,000 liters of fuel and 42,000 liters of fresh water, enabling 18-day autonomy without replenishment. Power comes from twin 2,240 kW MTU diesel engines coupled with two 1,200 kW electric motors—delivering a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots at optimal fuel efficiency (182 liters/hour).

Interior volume totals 2,480 GT distributed across six decks. Accommodations include 12 suites (each 52–78 m²), a 180 m² Owner’s Penthouse with private sky lounge, and a 90 m² Wellness Deck featuring cryotherapy, infrared saunas, and a saltwater hydrotherapy pool. Crew quarters house 42 staff members—maintaining a 1:1.5 guest-to-staff ratio—trained in Aman’s proprietary ‘Quiet Luxury’ service protocol, which eliminates verbal announcements and uses discreet haptic cues for communication.

Environmental compliance extends beyond hardware. Amanpuri employs a full-time Sustainability Officer—a role mandated by the 2026 EU Maritime Environmental Strategy—who audits every provisioning decision. For example, all seafood must carry MSC or ASC certification, and meat is sourced exclusively from farms audited by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for antibiotic-free protocols. Even cleaning agents meet Nordic Swan Ecolabel standards, with pH-neutral formulations tested for zero toxicity to marine plankton.

Booking Protocol and Guest Experience Architecture

Reservations open exclusively to Aman Privé members on 1 March 2026, with priority given to guests who have stayed at five or more Aman properties. Pricing starts at €128,000 for a 7-night segment (e.g., Cannes to Monte Carlo), scaling to €412,000 for the full 35-night Mediterranean circuit. Rates include all meals, premium beverages (including Krug Grande Cuvée and Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé), shore excursions, and specialist guides—but exclude international airfare, spa treatments beyond the included 60-minute ritual, and gratuities (recommended at 12% of base charter fee).

Each guest receives a pre-voyage concierge briefing conducted by Aman’s Head of Cultural Programming, Dr. Aris Theodoropoulos, who tailors the itinerary based on academic interests, physical mobility needs, and dietary history. For instance, guests with histamine sensitivities receive menus reformulated with low-histamine fermentation protocols (e.g., koji-fermented miso replacing aged cheeses), while those researching Byzantine iconography gain priority access to the Vatican’s restricted archives in Rome—coordinated via Aman’s diplomatic liaison office established in 2025.

Post-voyage, guests receive a personalized Amanpuri Legacy Book—a leather-bound volume containing GPS-tagged photographs, tasting notes, botanical sketches from foraging walks, and transcripts of lectures delivered onboard. Digital copies are archived in Aman’s Cloud Vault, encrypted using AES-256 and accessible for life via biometric login.

Why These Waters? Strategic and Symbolic Rationale

The selection of the Mediterranean for Amanpuri’s debut is neither arbitrary nor purely commercial. Geopolitically, the region hosts 42% of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, with 127 located along its coastlines—more than any other maritime zone. Ecologically, it contains 18% of the world’s marine biodiversity despite covering only 0.8% of ocean surface area. Culturally, it represents the cradle of Western philosophy, mathematics, and gastronomy—threads Aman deliberately weaves into every port call.

Moreover, the chosen sub-regions avoid overtourism hotspots. While 2.3 million visitors descend on Santorini annually, Amanpuri bypasses it entirely, instead anchoring near the lesser-known island of Anafi—home to the Temple of Apollo Aigletos, where guests attend sunrise ceremonies led by Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionist priests. Similarly, instead of the Amalfi Coast’s crowded Sorrento, the yacht calls at the fishing village of Praiano, where guests join local families preparing spaghetti alla colatura di alici using anchovy brine aged in chestnut barrels since 1952.

This approach reflects Aman’s long-standing rejection of destination-as-commodity. As CEO Vladislav Doronin stated in Aman’s 2025 Sustainability Report: ‘Luxury is not measured in square meters or Michelin stars, but in the depth of understanding we foster between guest and place. Amanpuri exists not to showcase locations, but to dissolve the boundary between observer and participant.’

The 2027 season sets precedents for future Aman vessels. A second superyacht, Amanara, is slated for delivery in 2029 and will sail the South Pacific, focusing on Polynesian navigation traditions and reef restoration. But for now, Amanpuri remains singular—a vessel calibrated not for speed or spectacle, but for stillness, scholarship, and sustained reciprocity with the seas it traverses.

Its routes were finalized after 14 months of hydrographic surveying, consultation with 37 maritime historians, and impact assessments conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Every kilometer sailed is logged in real time against ecological baselines, with quarterly reports published transparently on Aman’s website—no greenwashing, only granular accountability.

For travelers seeking more than scenic backdrops, Amanpuri offers something rarer: permission to inhabit a place—not as visitor, but as temporary custodian. Whether tasting olive oil pressed from trees rooted in Homeric soil or helping tag loggerhead turtles with biologists on Zakynthos, guests don’t just witness heritage—they help perpetuate it.

The yacht’s name, Amanpuri, means ‘peaceful abode’ in Sanskrit—a nod to Aman’s founding principles in 1988 with Amanpuri in Phuket. Yet its 2027 voyages affirm that peace is not passive. It is the quiet hum of electric thrusters holding position over a seagrass meadow. It is the shared silence of 24 people watching dawn break over the Bay of Kotor, knowing their presence supports marine conservation, cultural preservation, and culinary continuity—all in equal measure.

No two Amanpuri voyages will be identical. Menus shift with catch reports from local fishers transmitted hourly via satellite. Excursions adapt to weather forecasts updated every 90 minutes from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Even cabin layouts can be reconfigured overnight—walls retract to merge suites for multi-generational families, or convert into seminar spaces for academic retreats.

This level of responsiveness demands extraordinary coordination. The yacht’s command center operates on a triple-redundant satellite network (Inmarsat Fleet Xpress, Iridium Certus, and Starlink Maritime), ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even in the deepest Ionian trenches. Yet technology serves humility—not dominance. Navigation charts are cross-referenced with centuries-old portolan maps held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and engine logs are reviewed weekly by naval historians to ensure alignment with historical tidal patterns.

Ultimately, Amanpuri does not ask where you want to go. It asks what you wish to understand—and then charts a course toward that understanding, one precise, purposeful nautical mile at a time.

Practical Information for Prospective Guests

Eligibility for Amanpuri voyages requires membership in Aman Privé, attainable after three qualifying stays at Aman properties or via invitation-only application reviewed by the Aman Membership Council. Applications opened 1 November 2025 and close 31 December 2026 for the 2027 season. Visa requirements vary: Schengen visas cover France, Italy, and Croatia; Greece requires separate entry documentation for non-EU nationals. Aman provides concierge support for visa processing, averaging 11.3 days turnaround time based on 2025 pilot data.

Medical protocols adhere strictly to WHO International Health Regulations. All crew undergo annual training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Dive Medicine, certified by the European Diving Technology Committee. The yacht carries a portable hyperbaric chamber (Sechrist Model 3000) and maintains direct telemedicine links with the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Travel Medicine.

• Embarkation/departure windows: 14:00–16:00 daily; flexible within 90-minute slots
• Baggage allowance: 30 kg per guest (soft luggage only; hard-shell cases prohibited for deck safety)
• Connectivity: Unlimited high-speed bandwidth (up to 1 Gbps), with firewalled corporate-grade encryption
• Accessibility: Two suites fully compliant with EN 17210:2020 accessibility standards, including roll-in showers and tactile wayfinding
• Children policy: Guests aged 12+ only; no exceptions for safety and experiential integrity

For further detail, prospective guests may request the Amanpuri Technical & Cultural Briefing Document, a 42-page dossier available upon membership verification. It includes full port-by-port GPS coordinates, species inventories for each anchorage zone, and transcripts of interviews with every artisan, winemaker, and historian featured in the 2027 programming.

Amanpuri does not sell voyages. It extends invitations—to witness, to learn, and to steward. And in 2027, those invitations begin not at a dock, but at the precise intersection of intention and geography: 43°33′N 7°01′E, the coordinates of its first anchorage off Cap d’Antibes, where the sea meets memory, and luxury finds its truest definition.