RoMa – Magnificence Made Manifest
- Par Excellence
None understands the craving for comfort, luxury, and safety on vacation more than Northrop and Johnson. With headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this international yacht brokerage company boasts a proud and long-standing legacy of excellence and trustworthiness in luxury yacht brokerage.
Founded in 1949 by Jim Northrop and George Johnson, the company provided clients with first-rate yacht brokerage services, first in America and then globally after it went international in 1971. Since then, it has risen to become the world’s leading yacht brokerage firm. It has ties to all the top naval architects, designers, and yards, all of which it applies to rendering top-notch services in yacht purchase and sales, yacht chartering, charter management, crew services, and lots more.
The company exhibited one of its finest charter yachts, RoMa, at the MYBA Charter show in late April this year, and we were invited on board for an interview and a short walkthrough video. A simple examination of the exterior, along with information offered by the captain, revealed much to marvel about.
Built in 2010 in Italy by Viareggio Superyachts, this 62-meter superyacht stands as a testament to the architectural genius of the acclaimed Norwegian maritime architect Espen Oeino. RoMa is the fourth largest yacht built by Viareggio Superyachts as well as the 426th largest yacht in the world, with a 54.6-meter length at the waterline, a beam measuring 11.0 meters, a maximum draught of 5.32 meters, and a gross tonnage of about 1090. She also sports a hull of steel and an aluminum superstructure.
In terms of speed, RoMa performs splendidly. Being powered by a pair of propellers and two 2000 KW 3516B diesel engines (manufactured by the well-acclaimed Caterpillar Inc) capable of delivering up to 2682 horsepower each, she has a maximum speed of 17.0 knots and can cruise at 14.0 knots, easily 0.66 knots above the average for yachts of her class. Her fuel capacity is also impressive, as she can hold up to 158,000 liters.
In addition to these, RoMa sits as one of the world’s most technologically advanced superyachts in the 55m+ range. For starters, she is fitted with an advanced Dynamic Positioning System that enables her to float on still or rough waters without any reliance on her anchors. This affords passengers a more enjoyable cruising experience and allows the yacht access to areas where anchoring is forbidden. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art elevator makes mobility from deck to deck easier.
Of course, the lavish and ultramodern interior style of the vessel is every bit as much a marvel as the exterior, being a masterful creation of Katharina Raczek of Newcruise. The first things anyone notices when inside are the striking color palettes and sea-themed interior decor. One experiences a visual symphony of crisp white augmented by gold and deep reds. The sea-themed decor is expressed in such facets as the nautilus seashell-like paneling on the main staircase.
Next, one is introduced to the sheer spaciousness and luxuriousness of the interior, which is very wheelchair friendly. RoMa has six cabins and can sleep up to 12 guests alongside 18 crew members! Each of these rooms is distributed through the decks with meaning and purpose. To start with, on the main deck and closer to the bow of the vessel, one finds the master stateroom, which features a ginormous bed, a pullout sofa, and panoramic windows to provide natural light and breathtaking views of the outside. In addition to these, the master suite also features a luxurious bathroom with a state-of-the-art bathtub, his-and-hers sinks, and a dressing room.
The main deck also hosts three more staterooms, with a fourth on the deck (ideal for crew) and a fifth below deck for extra privacy. Altogether, these rooms can sit (and sleep) 12 guests comfortably. But the main deck holds even more head-turners. Two of these worth mentioning are the main salon, already alluded to, and the state-of-the-art dining section. The salon space is optimized for socializing and relaxation, with a backlit onyx bar, coffee tables, and an array of comfy seats. Forward from here is a formal dining section which holds a large and classy round table and 12 seats.
Of course, a luxury cruise is not complete without any provisions for off-deck water adventure, and RoMa does not disappoint here either. In this respect, a particularly remarkable thing about RoMa is that she stands as the first and only superyacht in the world that is a licensed “PADI superyacht diving school.” This means that guests onboard can undertake any official PADI diving course and receive a globally valid scuba diving license! In addition, RoMa is also a personal watercraft center certified and licensed by the RYA. Thus, guests who meet the minimum requirements can obtain provisional licenses to use the array of motorized water toys.
Finally, RoMa has a state-of-the-art swimming pool (with counter-current jets), a well-equipped gymnasium, and a recently added 16.9-meter chase boat capable of reaching 35 knots. All in all, RoMa and the yachting experience she delivers can be summed up in one word: surreal!
Hear From RoMa
At the moment, RoMa is only up for charter, having last been sold in 2015, and the Northrop and Johnson group holds an exclusive global brokerage status over the yacht. She’s available for cruises to the Adriatic, the West Mediterranean, and Turkey, so if you are of a mind to embark on that cruise trip of a lifetime, you can contact any of the Northrop and Johnson charter brokers today to get more information and set up your booking.
