Yacht New Journey, Newest Nordhavn 96, Living Up to Her Name

A five-year cruise around the world fittingly is in the plans for the owners who christened their yacht New Journey. They didn’t waste any time embarking on long journeys, either. Upon taking delivery of their Nordhavn 96, they set off on a six-week maiden voyage.

New Journey is hull number 18 of the semi-custom megayacht series, from a builder renowned for attracting serious cruisers. The New Journey owners fit right in, currently in the midst of a the just-mentioned maiden voyage. Specifically, they headed off from the Sea of Cortez for the waters off Victoria, British Columbia, where they still are right now. Time to do this and more is a well-earned luxury, too, since the owners are recently retired. They have looked forward to the yacht being a floating resort for their global travels.

They had this idea in mind when they commissioned the yacht, too. In fact, they worked closely with Jim Leishman, Nordhavn’s chief of design, to tailor the general arrangement. Firstly, they wanted their suite below decks amidships, taking advantage of the most comfortable spot. They did want an office space in their suite, too, despite not working 9 to 5. Plus, the windows incorporate “smart glass” technology, switching to opaque when the owners are using a PC (or want privacy). Secondly, because they’ll welcome a regular flow of friends and family, they have a convertible guest cabin in the skylounge. It supplements the three guest staterooms below decks.

The owners further plan to indulge in their enjoyment of fitness and music. Therefore, the yacht New Journey’s skylounge has workout equipment, including machinery nestled into a deck recess to ensure headroom clearance, and a music corner. One of the owners loves playing drums with fellow musical friends.

the Nordhavn 96 yacht New Journey saloon and galley

Ambience-wise, Scott Cole of Ardeo Design collaborated with the owners for a warm, welcoming, and super-social superyacht. Walnut is part of a backdrop that includes woven leathers, some fabric wall paneling, mosaic glass tiles, and overall natural tones. Some striking furnishings are aboard, however. For instance, a horseshoe-shaped bar countertop sits in the galley, a multi-colored quartzite. The same quartzite is the center of the saloon’s coffee table. On a related note, the large galley and saloon are part of an open-plan layout. Both are for guests to spend time in, versus being separate family and crew zones. A boat-shaped table caters to dinners for up to 10 on the main aft deck. A large bar is aft of the galley, too, while yet another bar on the flying bridge complements two hi-lo cocktail tables that convert to a dining table for eight.

The flying bridge is arguably the place where the yacht New Journey will see the most action. The bar, for example, joins with a lounging area to create a nightclub vibe. They sit outboard as well, leaving abundant dance space. Colorful LEDs frame the hardtop, itself a dark color, for even more of a party mood. During the daytime, the flying bridge can cater to lunches, thanks to a barbecue, and soaking in the hot tub. (Though really, soaking in a hot tub is just as much fun with sundowners.)

the Nordhavn 96 yacht New Journey flying bridge

The owners and their full-time crew of four will spend the summer in Alaska. Their eagerly anticipated world cruise begins next spring. Diving and exploring coves are on their agenda, the latter with an electric PWC custom GXE tender. Its diesel outboard can fuel right from the yacht’s main tanks.

Ardeo Design ardeodesign.com

Nordhavn nordhavn.com