CRN Amor à Vida: Passion and destiny

Amor à Vida was conceived as a private maritime residence—a secluded world for a discerning few, where absolute comfort and privacy take precedence over flashy statements of status or the need to outshine every other yacht in the marina.

That said, such claims of modesty should be taken with more than a grain of salt. For all its understated elegance, Amor à Vida is simply impossible to ignore. Whether cruising the crystalline coves of Mallorca, tying up at the bustling quays of Port Hercule, or dropping anchor in the secluded bays of Bodrum, she inevitably becomes the centre of quiet fascination. The glances she draws may be filled with admiration, perhaps even a whisper of envy—but one thing is certain: they will linger.

The superyacht was commissioned by a New York-based hedge fund manager. During her design and construction phases, she went by the working name Maranello—an obvious nod to Ferrari's hallowed home. Naming yachts after supercars is hardly new, and it does tend to evoke a certain Wolf of Wall Street energy, but in this case it perfectly encapsulated the brief. The owner is, by all accounts, a genuine petrolhead—so much so that he commissioned the primary tender in a Bugatti-inspired style. Yet the final Portuguese name, Amor à Vida—as languid and soulful as a fado melody—proves far more refined.

This is not his first time at the helm: he previously owned the 46-metre Mystic (built in 2010 by Turkish yard CMB and sold in 2024) as well as a smaller Azimut. Now he has stepped up to a yacht a third longer than his previous vessel, with a fully custom design. One can only wonder what this year's market rollercoasters—when commodities and oil swing five to eight percent in a matter of days—will bring. A 130-metre gigayacht, perhaps?

The Amor à Vida project was shaped by Nuvolari Lenard (exterior and interior design) in close collaboration with the CRN shipyard and the Ferretti Group's superyacht division, which handled naval architecture.

For a man accustomed to quality in every detail—from the cut of a suit to the curves of a hull—true luxury lies in knowing exactly when to stop. Amor à Vida is the embodiment of that principle: aesthetic restraint speaks louder about its owner's stature than any gilded flourish ever could.

Rather than flaunting sheer volume, the designers focused on purity of line. Long, unbroken horizontals visually stretch the vessel, creating a sense of fluid grace and forward motion—even when she lies motionless at anchor off the Sardinian coast. Nothing is superfluous; every stroke is deliberate, every proportion so self-assured that decoration would only detract.

The yard's signature is unmistakable. This is, in essence, an exercise in architectural detox—everything extraneous has been ruthlessly stripped from the exterior. What remains is impeccable functionality elevated to art. The near-plumb bow and elegant steel hull, paired with the stark, graphic rhythm of black-and-white decks and glazing, project an image of restrained power and unmistakable masculine character.

To temper this linear severity, the designers have artfully balanced it with the soft curves of the aluminium superstructure. The true visual anchor of the composition, however, is the radar mast—its sculptural form bestowing upon Amor à Vida that distinctive, instantly recognisable silhouette.

Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard are, of course, stars in their own right, but their team boasts other talents worth noting—designers with distinctive voices of their own. Valentina Zannier, for instance, has spent over two decades as art director at Nuvolari Lenard, building a formidable reputation and network. In 2023, she launched her own solo venture, VZ Interiors Architecture, and has since worked on projects including Giorgio M. Cassetta for Benetti. The interiors of Amor à Vida are very much her personal tour de force—executed within the Nuvolari Lenard DNA, yet an excellent showcase of her individual creative vision. More than sixty percent of the furniture and accessories on board were custom-made to her specifications, meaning she acted not merely as an interior stylist but as a creator from the ground up.

Let us begin at the very top. Here lies the crow's nest—an observation deck that harks back to the mastheads of sailing vessels past, yet finds its place in many modern designs. The distinctive feature of this new CRN is that it functions as a fully-fledged mini sundeck, furnished with deep armchairs for those who prefer to scan the far horizon, and a generous sun lounger for lovers of southern warmth. As dusk falls, the space transforms: with a retractable screen and projector, the sunpad becomes an al fresco private cinema. Only the breathtaking height—effectively a fifth deck above sea level—reminds you of this place's lineage with the lookout perches of legendary tall ships.

One level down, on the bridge deck, we find the wheelhouse. The tech-driven control console, with its multi-monitor setup and Forex finishes, is very much in line with contemporary superyacht standards, while the interior reveals something of the owner's character: walls and ceiling are clad in faux leather printed with navigational charts.

The layout's focal point is a cylindrical lift shaft that, together with a spiral staircase, penetrates the vessel from top to bottom. Around this central spine are arranged the working areas: chart room, pantry, and the captain's cabin and private office.

The aft section of this deck is configured as a versatile leisure space, crowned by a circular jacuzzi surrounded by sunbeds. Further in, sheltered beneath the overhang, lies a cosy lounge and bar with a quartzite counter. The outdoor kitchen here would impress even the most discerning restaurateur: it features a teppanyaki grill and a proper Italian oven capable of turning out four pizzas at once. To keep the convivial spirit alive, the area is equipped with a giant TV screen—perfect for a karaoke marathon with good company.

The forward section of the upper deck is entirely devoted to the owner's private quarters. The master suite's centrepiece is the panoramic glazing in the bedroom: the foredeck has been left clear to ensure uninterrupted views, while the sofa area is deliberately sunk into the floor. In addition to three-aspect views, a large skylight above the bed allows for stargazing before sleep—though motorised blinds provide total privacy when required.

The study to starboard is equally blessed with vistas: a full-height panoramic window transforms into a sliding glass door, opening directly onto the deck.

The owner set the team a challenging brief to realise an unconventional bathroom geometry, and the results are stunning. Curved walls are clad in onyx with a wave-like texture, while a monumental bath positioned opposite the window is finished in fluted Taj Mahal marble. The suite also includes a steam room, heated floors, and smart anti-fog coatings for mirrors and shower enclosures.

Even the walk-in wardrobe is a work of art. Cabinet fronts are upholstered in soft nubuck, accented with metal and lacquered 3D resin, while chests of drawers feature intricate sycamore veneer inlays and fittings carved from natural horn.

The skylounge on the upper deck is a bright, airy space that functions as a cinema, games room, and sitting area all in one, with sliding doors leading to the aft terrace. The terrace itself boasts a circular teak table seating sixteen, a bar with grill, and a lounge area with bioethanol fireplaces integrated into metal tables.

On the main deck, close to the forward garage, two guest suites are separated by a movable partition, allowing them to be combined into a full-beam VIP suite that rivals the owner's quarters in scale and comfort. A logical touch: during charter operations, the owner's apartment can be closed off, while charterers still enjoy complete luxury. Each living space on board has its own distinct character; for this area, the owner chose a "peacock eye" palette—deep blue-green accents set against an elegant milky-white backdrop.

The galley to port communicates directly with the main saloon—a generous space divided into dining area, games zone, and TV lounge. Notably, the dining area has been deliberately positioned near the exit, creating a seamless flow to the open aft terrace for al fresco meals or on-board receptions. The interior's centrepiece is a twelve-seat oval table with sculpted legs and a deep-blue tabletop—a true art piece in its own right.

Adjacent stands a classic American bar. Its counter is carved from a single block of crystallised quartzite, while the front is embellished with original mouldings depicting maritime ropes intertwined with inserts of Javanese teak. This "striped" motif recurs in two semi-circular credenzas, between which a games table sits comfortably. A curvilinear sofa visually separates the home cinema zone, complete with a vast plasma screen.

The open aft area's central feature is a swimming pool, flanked by a pair of custom-made sofas with sinuous contours. This fluid aesthetic is echoed in elliptical tables and a striking circular porthole set into the pool's basin. Through this transparent insert, sunlight filtering through the water casts an ever-changing, living pattern on the beach club interior one deck below.

The beach club is full of surprises: large bulwark sections fold down to port and starboard, transforming the fitness area into an open-air training deck right at the water's edge. A corresponding solution on the opposite side creates a private relaxation terrace for the spa, which includes a sauna, hammam, and massage room. A third dimension of openness is provided by the transom door: an innovative mechanism allows it to disappear entirely beneath the swim platform, vanishing from view and offering unobstructed access to the sea.

As for guest accommodation, the lower deck amidships—around the familiar lift lobby—houses four guest cabins. Two are configured with double beds, while the other two are twins, ideal for families travelling with children.

The forward third of the hull is completely isolated and dedicated to the 17-strong crew. All service areas and systems—from the laundry to substantial cold storage—are concentrated on the technical deck, ensuring that guest comfort is never compromised by operational necessities.

The selection of water toys and tenders aboard Amor à Vida is every bit as impressive as her architecture. Housed in the forward garage, concealed behind elegant side hatches, lies a whole fleet capable of turning a quiet anchorage into an adrenaline-fuelled playground.

The flagship of this flotilla is a custom limousine tender from IC Yachts. Its exterior echoes the mothership's lines, while the interior is executed in Bugatti-inspired style. When required, the tender can reach 35 knots. For those who prefer pure speed, there is a Mag Bay chase boat powered by three Mercury 600 outboards, accompanied by a 6.2-metre Ribeye YT602 RIB rigged for towing. The arsenal is rounded out by the obligatory toys: jet-skis, pedalos, wakeboards, kayaks, and Seabob submersibles. For family fun, there is a two-person Jobe Binar towable, while a full set of professional diving equipment awaits those keen to explore beneath the surface.

Technical excellence and intelligent engineering today are as much a source of pride for yacht owners as design itself. In the case of Amor à Vida, the vessel's character is underpinned by a sophisticated and highly advanced hybrid propulsion system.

At its heart are two MTU 12V4000 M63 diesel engines (1,500 kW each at 1,800 rpm), paired with a pair of Siemens Energy synchronous AC electric motors (400V, 200 kW each). This combination delivers a top speed of 16 knots, with the cruising speed barely a knot behind. The hybrid architecture optimises fuel consumption across main engines and generators while offering impressive range: in economy mode at 12 knots, the yacht can comfortably cross the Atlantic, covering up to 5,200 nautical miles without refuelling.

CRN engineers and the Ferretti Group's superyacht division paid particular attention to acoustic comfort. Thanks to proprietary vibration and noise-damping innovations, the vessel remains virtually silent and smooth at any speed. This sense of serene tranquillity is further enhanced by modern stabilisers that minimise roll both during passages and while at anchor.

The project's technological maturity is also evident in energy management. An advanced heat recovery system captures excess engine energy to heat water throughout the vessel—from guest bathrooms to the pool—further optimising power consumption and reducing generator load. Amor à Vida is also environmentally considerate: she fully complies with IMO Tier III certification, meaning her choice of cruising grounds is unconstrained by ecological restrictions.

The new CRN will not be enjoyed exclusively by her owner. Amor à Vida will be available for charter, offering guests the chance to fully experience the joy of life on board against the backdrop of Mediterranean or Caribbean seascapes.