Jackie Kennedy’s Floating Palace for Sale: Why the Iconic Christina O is Now 42% Off

The Christina O, the legendary superyacht that served as the floating palace for Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and became the site of his wedding reception to Jacqueline Kennedy in 1968, is currently facing a massive price cut. Originally listed for 90 million euros, the asking price for the 325-foot vessel has been slashed by 42 percent, bringing it down to 52 million euros, or roughly $60 million.

Despite its storied history and the significant discount, the yacht has remained on the market as the luxury vessel industry faces a shifting landscape in 2026. Broker Tim Morley, who is handling the sale, notes that while there has been interest, a deal has yet to materialize. The current owner’s widow is looking to move the vessel quickly, hoping to find a buyer who will appreciate its unique chapter in 20th-century history.

The ship’s history is as imposing as its size. It began its life in 1943 as the Canadian frigate HMCS Stormont, serving in the Battle of the Atlantic and the D-Day landings. After the war, Onassis purchased the vessel for just $34,000—its scrap value at the time—and spent the equivalent of nearly $50 million in today’s money to convert it into a dream yacht named after his daughter, Christina.

The interior remains a testament to mid-century opulence. It features an onyx spiral staircase, a lapis lazuli fireplace, and a swimming pool with a mosaic bottom that rises to become a dance floor. Perhaps its most famous, and controversial, feature is the barstools upholstered in whale-skin leather, which Onassis famously used to shock and entertain his high-profile guests, including Winston Churchill, Liza Minnelli, and Rudolf Nureyev.

Several factors have contributed to the slow sale. Geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, have dampened the appetite of some ultra-wealthy buyers. Additionally, the ship’s narrow, war-time proportions provide less interior volume than modern superyachts of a similar length. Because it is designed to carry 34 passengers—nearly triple the limit for standard yachts—it is officially classified as a passenger vessel, which carries different regulatory requirements.

Since a major restoration in 2001, the Christina O has operated as a high-end charter boat, often fetching around 700,000 euros per week for weddings and elite gatherings. While modern buyers often look for the latest technology and construction dates, brokers believe the Kennedy aura and the sheer magic of the ship’s history will eventually attract the right owner, most likely from the United States.

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