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Magic Johnson's 6-Week Vacation Aboard this Chartered Megayacht Likely Cost Around $7.5 Million

Included in the price of renting the seven-cabin vessel Phoenix 2 is a crew of 29 ready to assist up to 12 guests, according to its charter company

Sam Burros is a writer, producer, and cook working with the Food and Lifestyle team at PEOPLE. Prior to working with PEOPLE, he was an editorial fellow for Food Network, a reporter for Heritage Radio Network, and a recipe tester for Alison Roman's third cookbook Sweet Enough. Before making the pivot to food media, Burros studied theatre at NYU Tisch School of the Arts where he met artistic collaborators in theatre, film, and television with whom he created Miss Jordan's Spring 2020 Production, available to stream on Broadstream.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson/Instagram

Magic Johnson just wrapped up a luxurious six-week yacht vacation with his wife Earlitha “Cookie” Johnson that saw family, friends and loads of celebs come and go from the deck of the Phoenix 2 superyacht .

Starting his journey in Antibes, France, the NBA legend made his way around the Mediterranean including stops in of Portofino, Capriccioli, Capri, Positano, Nerano and Sicily in Italy ; the Corinth Canal, Mykonos, Oia, Kefalonia, Kalami and Santorini in Greece ; Montenegro; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. 

Johnson was no stranger to luxury during his trip. The NBA legend made some quick day trips to world class hotels and restaurants like the San Domenico Palace, Taormina , the Four Seasons hotel in Sicily that was featured in The White Lotus . While he didn’t stay at the hotel, prices for a night there start at $1,700, and the poolside restaurant where Johnson dined, offers a $33 salad and $22 cannoli.

The retired athlete had no need for overnight accommodations, though, thanks to his stay aboard the Phoenix 2 , a luxury yacht with charter prices that start at €1,150,000, or just shy of $1,255,000, per week, according to its website . For Johnson’s six-week experience, he likely spent around $7,530,000 on the yacht alone.  

Included in the price of the seven-cabin superyacht is a crew of 29 ready to assist up to 12 guests. The primary cabin is a split-level apartment with its own private stairwell. The suite features panoramic views of the ocean and a private terrace fitted with a jacuzzi. The remaining cabins are connected by a central elevator across three decks of the ship, with some of the rooms being able to be converted into family accommodations depending on guests’ needs.

When going from destination to destination, travelers are able to enjoy the luxury yacht’s other amenities, including three pools, an indoor and outdoor movie theater, jacuzzis, a gym, a piano room, a bar and even a salon and wellness center for anybody in need of some extra TLC. 

In addition, Johnson and his guests were treated to nights full of entertainment. One evening, the crew threw a masquerade party for the basketball star and his family . Another night in Greece, they were treated to a “Greek god and goddess extravaganza." Johnson wrote on Instagram . "We had so much fun dressing up and dancing and Chef Daisy prepared an outstanding spread for us to enjoy!"

Cookie Johnson/Instagram

Johnson started his voyage with some of his famous friends, including Michael Jordan , Samuel L. Jackson and Judge Matthis . 

“Tonight we enjoyed an incredible dinner at the world-famous Da Paolino Ristorante aka the lemon tree restaurant in Capri, Italy!” Johnson wrote on Instagram . “AND I got to hang out with my great friend and the greatest basketball player to ever live, Michael Jordan, and his wife Yvette, Sam and LaTanya Jackson, Judge Greg and Linda Mathis, and John and Vicki Palmer.”

In a carousel of photos, the seemingly relaxed friends posed for a group shot. In another frame, Magic and Jordan smiled as musicians serenaded them at the iconic restaurant.

Twitter/MagicJohnson

When Johnson’s initial group of friends departed the trip, the All Star was joined by his family in Italy. 

”Cookie and I are excited to have our kids Andre, EJ, Elisa, our daughter-in-law Lisa and grandkids Gigi and Avery join us on the yacht!” Magic, 63, wrote alongside a photo of the happy group, posed on the deck, in front of a dramatic backdrop of seaside cliffs.

All in, Johnson visited 5 countries and hosted 18 guests on board. And if the pattern continues from years past , he'll likely do it all again in 2024.

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Inside Magic Johnson’s $138million superyacht Aquila with nightclub and cinema room which you can hire for $1m-a-week

• Published : 4:15 ET, Sep 29 2022
• Updated : 6:25 ET, Sep 29 2022
• Published : Invalid Date,

MAGIC by name, magical by lifestyle.

Magic Johnson is partial to the high-life - swimming in the riches of a fortune estimated at $620million.

So, it's no surprise that when he takes a holiday he goes away on a $138m superyacht - that is available to hire for an eye-watering $1m-a-WEEK.

The LA Lakers legend spends his summers enjoying exotic coastlines on board the incredible Aquila.

Johnson, 63, took the vessel on his summer holidays in 2022, where he took in the sights of Greece.

Here's what he would've enjoyed.

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Size matters.

The Aquila is huge.

At 281-feet long, it's the largest yacht to be built in America since the 1930s - and no expense was spared in turning it into a 'party boat'.

After all, the sun deck boasts a spacious jacuzzi, a day bar, as well as a massage room.

But there's also room for a DJ - with a booth, an AV system, smoke machine and light show ready to use - yes, it's a superyacht with its own nightclub.

Up to 12 guests can stay at one time - with the Aquila able to be manned by a 28-strong crew.

From a design aspect, the most surreal and aesthetically pleasing feature of the Aquila is a waterfall chandelier that drops down four levels from the sun deck down to the lower deck - that just adds to the yacht's opulence.

Another cool addition is the outstanding cinema room that features an enormous 85-inch screen.

The master cabin, or as it is known as the 'owner's deck', features his/hers ensuite and a study, as well as a salon.

There are a further six cabins that all offer space and comfort to the highest specification.

On top of that, guests can work out in the Aquila's fully-equipped gym.

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

In 2021, Magic was joined by a host of pals, including LL Cool J and Steve Harvey for a trip of a lifetime - a cruise around the Amalfi coast.

Before that, he's been seen visiting jet-set destinations as glam as Corsica, Cannes, Sorrento and Monaco.

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In August 2020, he and wife Cookie spent around a month in Croatia.

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He visited the gorgeous island of Dubrovnik and urged travellers who hadn't visited to make sure they do.

He wrote on Instagram: "@thecookiej and I just got back from Croatia and we highly recommend it to anyone! The food was fantastic and the country is just beautiful!"

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Inside the $1.2 Million-a-Week Superyacht Magic Johnson Chartered for His Summer Vacation

When you’re Magic Johnson, a simple European getaway just won’t do. You have to take in the continent by boat.

The NBA legend and entrepreneur is currently enjoying some time cruising around the Mediterranean onboard the Aquila , a 281-foot superyacht . And the Lakers great and his wife Cookie have invited along a star-studded group of pals, including Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J, to join in on the experience.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samuel L Jackson (@samuelljackson)

Magic, who TMZ says likes to spend a month across the Atlantic each summer, has gone all out for his latest vacation. The Aquila is the largest boat built in the US since the 1930s, according to its Burgess charter listing . Originally developed by Derektor in 2010, the vessel sailed under the name Cakewalk until it was sold and completely refitted in 2016. The renewed, four-deck yacht has even more space from which its passengers can gaze upon cities like Corfu, Capri and Cervo, and is perfect for entertaining a one very large man and his family and friends.

The yacht has a massive owner’s suite with a massage room, salon and private deck that overlooks the bow, along with six other spacious guest suites. There’s also a cinema room, gym, two more massage rooms. When it comes time for entertaining, there’s a saloon called the London Bar, a beach club at sea level and a dedicated party deck with its own DJ booth, AV system and smoke machine. The interior’s pièce de résistance, though, is a 36-foot “waterfall” chandelier that stretches from the sun deck to the lower deck.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Earvin "Magic" Johnson (@magicjohnson)

Other amenities on the Aquila include a limousine tender, a deck jacuzzi, aquapark, trampoline and all the water toys you could ever want (think: jet skis, kayaks and wakeboards). The yacht, which has a 50-foot beam, is also manned by a crew of 28. It’s powered by two 3,306 hp MTU engine and has a top speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.

As you may have guessed, a boat like this doesn’t come cheap. The superyacht is reportedly worth over $150 million . Johnson is only chartering the vessel, but even that will set him back nearly €1 million (or about $1.2 million) a week, according to the listing. One thing is clear: No. 32 loves spending time on the Aquila . In fact, this isn’t his first time he’s rented the vessel. He also took it out on vacation back in 2019, according to TMZ . And honestly, who can blame him?

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Magic Johnson, 61, Treats Friends Samuel Jackson & LL Cool J To Vacation on $1.1 Million Yacht

Magic Johnson spared no expense when he brought his famous pals Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J on a luxurious yachting trip to Italy.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson , 61, and his wife  Cookie,  62, set sails for the the shores of Italy for a scenic vacation. The former NBA star leased the 281-foot yacht Aquila for the trip, which costs $1.1 million per week to rent, via TMZ . With such a big boat, Magic and Cookie made the trip a star-studded affair and invited famous friends to join with their wives, as well. The couple extended the invite to actor Samuel L. Jackson , 72, rapper  LL Cool J , 53, and former NFL star  Rodney Peete , 55, along with their significant others. It also appears the celebrities were joined by an anesthesiologist friend Anthony Calloway  and his wife.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Earvin "Magic" Johnson (@magicjohnson)

Even without all the stars onboard, the vacation seems like it would be a blast. Not only are there scenic views of the gorgeous Italian coast, but the Aquila is decked out with any accommodations you can dream of. The boat won the 2017 World Superyacht Award and comes equipped with a cinema room, spa, massage rooms, beach club and elevator, according to the broker Burgess Yachts .

Magic and his famous friends looked like they had plenty of fun on their week-long trek. The stars posted many photos on their Instagram pages of the stunning views they took in on the trip. LL shared a ton of videos showing off both the sights they were seeing and the boat’s fabulous amenities . During the trip, it also looks like Anthony celebrated a birthday, as  Magic posted a video of the couples and the boat’s crew singing and dancing onboard with giant “Happy Birthday” balloons.

The stars took plenty of time to chronicle their vacation. Magic also shared tons of photos where he’s posing with his wife and friends. Besides the shot of him “hanging with my boys in Porto Cervo,” Magic also posted himself and Cookie alongside Samuel and his wife LaTanya Jackson in Sorrento. All the couples posed on deck with a beautiful mountain backdrop for a group shot. Magic wrote that they were “Having the best of times in Capri.”

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Magic johnson kicks off yacht vacation w/ cedric the entertainer, samuel l. jackson, magic johnson yachts of fun in ibiza ... w/ samuel l. and cedric the entertainer.

It's that time of the year once again -- Magic Johnson is exploring Europe with his A-list pals this week ... enlisting Samuel L. Jackson and Cedric the Entertainer for the festivities!!

The 64-year-old Hall of Famer and his wife, Cookie , have been documenting their whole trip on social media ... raving about their time in Ibiza, which has included feasting on lobster and sea bass and cruising on a luxurious yacht.

The gang made their way around the Mediterranean Sea on a smaller boat as well ... and judging by the pics, the vibes were at an all-time high.

It's become quite the tradition for the Lakers legend ... as the vacation has been a thing for more than a decade at this point.

Other attendees in the past included names like LL Cool J and Rodney Peete ... but it's unclear if those guys will be joining in on the fun at a later date.

No word on how much it costs to rent their yacht of choice this year ... but Magic's been known to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars a week to ride in style -- so we take it that's the case again.

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