Karpaz Gate Marina has hosted its first superyacht of the season, the 56-metre Queen Mavia which moored at the North Coast harbour at the beginning of the month during a Rhodos-to-Cyprus cruise.
The multi-million-dollar craft is understood to be owned by Saeed Bin Jabr Al Suwaidi, head of the Emirati Bin Jabr Group. Formerly named Lady Christine, it had a 28.6 million-euro price tag when it was offered for sale in 2012 by Scottish businessman Lord Laidlaw, and was renamed the Mavia after an Arab warrior-queen who ruled in the latter half of the fourth century and defeated the Romans.
The Bin Jabr Group’s involvement in the defense, hospitality, energy and construction sectors sparked speculation over the presence of the vessel, but Karpaz Gate harbormaster Deniz Akaltan said: “The owner, whom its captain declined to name, is not on board but the passengers are his guests.”
Photographs showed the luxury craft dwarfing yachts in the marina near Yenierenköy before sailing to Alsancak’s Merit Royal Hotel, where it was snapped moored offshore last weekend.
