Conceived as a private members’ club at sea, the Maybach Ocean Club introduces a new expression of ultra-luxury travel. It operates as an invitation-only society housed within a purpose-built, ocean-going giga-yacht. Rather than positioning itself as a cruise alternative or charter vessel, the project reframes yachting as a shared cultural experience. It targets a global cohort drawn to craftsmanship, discretion, and connection.
Backed by Mercedes-Maybach’s design heritage, the Ocean Club presents a maritime interpretation of rarefied luxury. Set for its maiden voyage in 2029, it exists not simply as a vessel but as a floating sanctuary. Here, a curated circle of co-owners gathers for leisure, dialogue, and cultural exchange.
Mercedes-Benz International, long synonymous with precision engineering and restrained opulence, now extends its vision beyond the road. The Maybach Ocean Club marks the marque’s most ambitious lifestyle expansion to date. It translates the philosophy of uncompromising quality into a maritime setting. Membership grants access not only to the yacht itself, but to a private world at sea—where gastronomy, wellness, and art converge in a setting designed for restoration and elevated living.
The newbuild, named Beyond Horizons, emerged from a collaboration with yacht specialists Splendid Sea and German naval architects Dolker + Voges. The project targets an invitation-only cohort of co-owners rather than the traditional cruise market. Its structure centers on fractional ownership, which fosters a stable community rather than transient occupancy.
Maybach’s maritime connection stretches back more than a century. In the 1920s, the brand drew on its technical expertise to develop engines for early automobiles, aircraft, and boats. These efforts laid the groundwork for collaborations with leading shipping companies. The Ocean Club builds on that legacy. It merges tradition with progress in suites composed with architectural precision, gastronomy rooted in artistry, and wellness rituals designed to align body and spirit.
At its bow, the Maybach signet leads the ship toward the horizon. The gesture reinforces the vessel’s role as both icon and instrument of modern luxury.
“Beyond Horizons was conceived with the mission of translating the Mercedes-Maybach ethos of uncompromising quality and craftsmanship into a true maritime masterpiece,” explains Michael Hehn, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Maybach Ocean Club. “Its design reflects hallmark Maybach proportions, from the elongated silhouette to the commanding stem, which serves as a nautical expression of status.”
The 508-foot yacht will house 30 identical suites, each with a private balcony. It will accommodate up to 72 guests. Measuring 242 square feet, the suites carry the Mercedes-Maybach rose-gold accent palette throughout. Six guest cabins forward remain reserved for daily rental, which allows members to host friends and family without disrupting the core community.
Life onboard unfolds as a curated rhythm of culture and leisure. Live concerts and art exhibitions accompany seasonal itineraries across the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Partnerships with fashion houses, watch brands, and jewelry labels will extend the experience ashore. Reciprocal members’ clubs will host private film screenings and evenings with visiting luminaries.
Operationally, the Ocean Club departs from both private yacht ownership and conventional cruising. A community of about 300 co-owners will each hold a fractional interest. Each share grants access to the vessel for a defined period every year. The group organizes crew management, fuel, port charges, and maintenance through a shared annual fee.
A dedicated support vessel will manage tenders, watercraft, and technical logistics. This allows Beyond Horizons to remain focused on guest experience.
A six-figure annual membership fee—roughly one-fifth of the initial joining cost—secures four weeks at sea per year, excluding food, beverages, and optional activities.
“It’s not simply about wealth,” says Captain Matthias Bosse, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Splendid Sea. “One question we hear all the time is, ‘Who else will be on board?’”
Bosse estimates that roughly 70 percent of members will be American. “The U.S. is the largest market for yachts, fractional ownership, and branded residential projects,” he notes. “For interested parties outside those regions, we would look to build a second yacht.”
Bosse points to existing luxury voyage concepts such as Jumeirah Privé’s partnership with the 299-foot Maltese Falcon and EYOS Expeditions’ Solace Odyssey aboard a 187-foot Feadship. These programs allow guests to book curated segments rather than commit to ad-hoc charters. He positions the Maybach Ocean Club as a more socially cohesive model.
“Unlike residence vessels such as The World, where individual occupancy averages only three to four months a year, or branded residences where you might dislike your neighbor, the Beyond Horizons model encourages repeat gatherings,” Bosse explains. “That continuity cultivates relationships and shared memories.”
During a trial sailing aboard the 344-foot superyacht Lady Moura, which Bosse captained for 15 years, a small group tested the Ocean Club concept. Two companies were later formed between individuals who had never met before the voyage.
Sustainability remains integral to the vessel’s design. A next-generation propulsion system powered by green methanol or biodiesel will reduce the yacht’s carbon footprint. Designers will also incorporate eco-conscious materials throughout the ship. A crew-to-passenger ratio of 1:3 ensures deeply personalized service at every stage of the journey.
Members can expect access to pristine beaches and secluded islands. The itineraries include waterfront dining at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, elite golf courses, and reciprocal private clubs. Exclusive VIP experiences will feature private city tours and behind-the-scenes cultural encounters.
“More than a vessel, the heart of the Maybach Ocean Club is the private circle of friends that comes together through shared experiences aboard the yacht, in the water, and on excursions,” Bosse adds. “It offers a way of vacationing that is unprecedented under the umbrella of Maybach’s century-old lineage.”
With Beyond Horizons, Mercedes-Maybach steers luxury into a bold new dimension—one defined not only by craftsmanship and design, but by the rarefied intimacy of a community brought together at sea.
