Yesterday, when billionaire Richard Branson announced the expansion of his Virgin Oceanic program to deep-sea exploration, he joined a very exclusive club. Okay, sure; he's already a part of the private island owners' club, the billionaires with space travel aspirations' club, and even the private club owners' club. Now, however, he can finally join the ranks of submarine owners of the world.

Technically Branson got his first sub last year, with the launch of the Necker Nymph, a 3-person tourist sub that accompanies his catamaran yacht-for-charter, the Necker Belle. Read more on it here, but do note its similarities to an airplane, rather an a conventional submarine. Branson's new sub will instead be a 1-seater with capability to reach 37,000 feet. That's crazy, and Branson is even crazier; he intends to pilot the second of five planned deep dives, and stands as the back-up pilot on the first, Marianas Trench dive.

Heaven forbid something happens to Richard, but we're now wondering what other billionaires count submarines among their toys? ]]> JetSetCD 2011-04-06T10:07:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/8/25/12919/4976

If you're a multi-millionaire celebrity with a significant other of the same description, what do you do for vacation during the hot days of late August? Oh, you rent a yacht and go to Saint Tropez on France's Cote d'Azur, of course. Onboard the 177-foot yacht Altitude this week, you'll find Beyonce and Jay-Z soaking up the sun, hopping from Portofino to Cannes to Saint Tropez all to the tune of $377,000 per week.

Beyonce and Jay-Z are getting their money's worth, too. The Altitude boasts six cabins, a gym, and a Jacuzzi. They aren't the only celebs out running around on a rented yacht off the Riviera either; fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (Dolce & Gabbana) have been motoring their yacht from Sardinia to Portofino and even down to the Aeolian Islands off Sicily so far this summer.

Given a choice, we'd party along with D&G, since their yachting adventure lasts practically the whole season. Who would you rather float around with?

[Photo: INF daily/Gossipcenter]]]> JetSetCD 2010-08-25T12:09:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/19/95452/5616

Paris Hilton got into a bit of hot water again Friday night when she flew into the Figari Airport in Corsica with pot in her purse. Paris, her sister Nicky, and a few of their girlfriends, flew to the French island via private jet, but didn't plan to stay long as they had a yacht waiting nearby to take them to Sardinia.

But, before the ladies had a chance to make it to their yacht, Paris was stopped by the police after their dogs detected drugs in her bag. They brought her into their offices for questioning but found less than a gram of pot on her so she was released without charges. ]]> cmb 2010-07-19T10:31:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/5/24/11129/7572

Add Gerard Butler to the list of the beautiful people celebrities who have spent the last week in the South of France. Butler got a little R & R in this weekend after spending much of last week at the Cannes Film Festival, airkissing actresses and slathering on suntan oil.

Thursday night, Gerry suited up for the annual amfAR Cinema Against Aids gala at the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in Cap Antibes, France, where Lady Gaga performed after her own romp on a yacht just off the coast. When asked about his lifestyle at the event, he relied, “I’m not exactly Mr. Values. Life is about enjoying yourself and that’s what I do.” We couldn't agree more! ]]> cmb 2010-05-24T13:41:52-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/4/29/204350/730

After playing Captain Jack Sparrow on the big screen, Johnny Depp was so inspired that he bought a 156-foot luxury yacht and redecorated it with the Captain's signature jewel-toned velvet fabric and a Jolly Roger flag.

Over the past few years, Johnny has taken trips to Italy, Florida, Annapolis, Maryland and his own private Caribbean island, Little Hall's Pond Cay, in the yacht. And now you can take your family and friends wherever they want to go, as long as you have plenty of dough. Burgess Yachts is renting Johnny's yacht for €98,000 (approximately $130,000) per week in the high season and €84,000 (approximately $110,000) in the low season. ]]> cmb 2010-04-30T09:22:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/4/21/92256/5398

Luxury travel is not always about who has the plushest hotel bed or the glitziest gold sinks in their private jet, but more about personally created experiences—a haute couture version of a trip, if you will. One of the final true luxury good brands is Hermes, and in this vein, they will not only make you a Birkin bag, but also a Smart car or helicopter. The latest addition to their travel offerings might be the most intriguing, however; it's a futuristic Hermes yacht.

Like with other Hermes goods, the yacht will cost about ten times what you think it would. The "WHY 58x38"—as it's being called—is a $140 million dollar monster, outfitted with five suites and even solar panels for energy conservation. Thus far, only a life-size model of the yacht has been constructed, by its Monaco-based shipbuilder Wally. Still, the recession didn't hit everyone apparently, as the boat is being ordered by people. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-04-21T09:22:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/12/14/02223/913

Where in the world is Tiger Woods? Well, he's either still attempting to lay low at his mansion outside of Orlando, or he's en route to North Palm Beach to board his $22 million dollar, 155-foot yacht, ironically named the "Privacy." The Examiner reports that the boat, purchased in 2004 and picked out by Tiger's then fiance, now wife Elin Nordegren, spent the weekend being stocked with supplies and having its name covered up by a tarp thrown over the stern.

Someone doesn't want people to know that he's on the run. And of course Tiger will be hiding out in style. The Privacy sleeps 21 in its many bedrooms with walls of white silk., although Tiger will probably set sail solo. In addition, the boat has an 8-person jacuzzi, a gym, a theater projection system, a gourmet kitchen with espresso maker, BBQ grill, two Vespa scooters, a scuba center, and an elevator. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-12-14T09:33:04-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/