The innovative design introduces a dappled-light effect to the owner’s bedroom. We step aboard the first hull in Monaco.
Despite its 41-year heritage, Gulf Craft is still relatively unknown in North America. The builder has made a concerted push to break into the U.S. and European markets over the years, with some recent successes in both. With a range of vessels from 40 to 175 feet in length, the Dubai-based builder plays in virtually every motoryacht category, wearing its ambition like a badge of honor. At the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show and later at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, it displayed its latest superyacht, the Majesty 111, with pride.
Like most Gulf Crafts, the 111 immediately stands out for its volume, mirroring the high-volume yachts like the Wallwhy200, Princess X95, and Sunseeker 100 Yacht. With a length of 110’ 11”, the yacht is 23’7” wide, displacing 140 gross tons. As I discovered on a tour aboard at Monaco, the spaciousness is an intrinsic part of the design provenance.
That’s because in the United Arab Emirates, it’s all about family—large families. The 111 was created to transport many people at once, with separate areas for different generations to socialize in. One of the best social areas is the foredeck lounge. Seating and sunpads make for a hidden space to relax—away from prying eyes. But there’s also a surprisingly large dip pool with a glass bottom.
Positioned just above the owner’s suite in the main deck below, the glass bottom filters dappled light into the master bedroom. The large suite’s king-sized island berth is framed to port by a settee and to starboard by a vanity. A massive mirrored television sits directly behind.
The main suite is one of six staterooms, allowing the 111 to accommodate 12 guests. The other staterooms are part of a dedicated accommodations area and include two twins, two doubles, and an impressive VIP suite that could almost pass for a second owner’s suite.
Another interior highlight is the open-concept salon. One thing that really grabbed my attention were the lighting fixtures affixed to the walls between the windows. Spindly and minimalistic, they throw off a warm, muted glow that gave the space an almost Scandinavian feel—not something I was expecting when I first stepped aboard.
As much as I liked the interior, I spent most of my time on the flybridge, where Gulf Craft hosted a rather large soiree one evening at Monaco. There are both indoor and outdoor areas at play here. The indoor space has a large wet bar forward and effectively serves as a second salon. The sundeck aft had an alfresco dining table for eight situated under an overhang that opens electrically, depending on the desire for sun or shade.
Modular furniture at the rear constitutes a sun lounge, while there’s also a second wet bar to starboard. The unusually wide side decks leading to the bow lounge were a nice touch as well—providing enough space to handle a bustling party and certainly something this yacht’s four or five crew will appreciate to navigate between guests.
The 111 offers a lot in a package that sells for about $14 million, a price made possible by the UAE’s low labor costs. Gulf Craft may not be the most famous yacht builder on the water. But it’s definitely one of the most versatile, especially given new models like the Majesty 111, which shows it’s willing to move into new categories with fresh designs.
