By: Scott Way
The Walton family are heirs to the Walmart empire, and as you might expect the luxury runs deep considering their multi-billion dollar generational wealth.
Case in point: Nancy Walton Laurie, niece of Walmart founder Sam Walton, put her 270-foot (82 m) superyacht Secret on the market for $98 million in early 2022. Her sister Ann Walton Kroenke, meanwhile, elected to refit their yacht Aquila, rather than sell it, and turn it into an unreal mega-machine with a $150 million pricetag.
According to Boat International, Aquila was purchased by Ann Walton and her husband Stan Kroenke (owner of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA), in 2015 and immediately went into a refit. The boat is the largest yacht built in the U.S, and was first commissioned 20 years ago by Derecktor Shipyard under the name Cakewalk before being sold to the Walton family and changed to Aquila. The word aquila, if you're curious, is the Latin word for "eagle." Derecktor has facilities in Maine, New York and Florida (most superyachts are built in Europe, specifically Italy and the Netherlands).
As for the refit, it took 18 months to complete and was done by the Pendennis shipyard in Spain. The extensive overhaul helped land Aquila a 2017 World Superyacht Award for 'Best Refitted Yacht.' Interesting category.
The Waltons added numerous ultra-lux details during the refit. Some of the biggest standouts include an actual bar named 'The London Bar', a nightclub that features smoke machines, a light system, and a DJ booth, as well as a complete movie theater, and a 36-foot waterwall chandelier that cascades down all four decks of the boat.
Because why not?
Other premium amenities include two massage rooms, a complete gym, hair salon, office space, and a jacuzzi. The master suite includes its own 60 square metre (645 sq ft) private deck. Six guest cabins can host up to 12 guests, and there is somehow enough room for 28 crew as well.
She's a decent cruiser too, with twin MTU diesel engines that provide a max range of 5000 nautical miles and a top speed of 17 knots (19.5 mph).
You can even charter the Aquila, provided you're ok with a $1 million/week rate. You can make your reservation here.
