All Aboard! Where Carl Icahn Stages Deals, Blogs
Have a look at the Starfire, the 180-foot yacht co-owned by Carl Icahn, the billionaire corporate raider (or "activist shareholder") who's currently waging a war against the board of Yahoo. It's here that Icahn and wife Gail occasionally spend blissful summer days with friends and family. (Incidentally, it's named after one of his companies, Starfire Holding Corp.) When Carl isn't admiring the "high-gloss veneers," "exquisite wood inlays" and "Art Deco decor"—or sampling a meal prepared by the on-board chef—he can be found using one of the numerous satellite phones (or blogging using the high-speed WiFi system), which allow him to terrorize chief executives from the remotest parts of the globe. But Carl is a value investor: He'll happily rent you the boat for a week to cruise the crystal blue seas of the Caribbean. Prices, crew bios, sample itineraries—and many more photos—below.
Do note that taking a trip aboard the Starfire isn't cheap. During peak season, a week will cost you $250,000; it's a relative bargain at $196,000 a week during low season. (Prices and a list of upcoming trips here.) The steep price tag, you'll be happy to hear, includes the 12-person crew, led by one Carl Sputh, whose motto for yachting is "there are no problems…only solutions." But you'll get another 11 people, too, all of whom you can read about in detail here.
If you can't quite decide where to go, might we suggest this sample itinerary? It sounds lovely: "From the historic bay of Palermo, we will leisurely explore the enchantment of Sicily’s dramatic northern coastline. We will sail on to experience more remote Mediterranean islands, such as Ustica, Lipari, and Stromboli, as we make our way to the northeastern coast of Sicily, visiting the chic destinations of Portorosa, Taormino, and Messina."
While you debate your destination, have a look around, won't you?