Karl Stefanovic $1m splurge
Karl Stefanovic took an early mark from Today to treat his new girlfriend to the sort of gold-plated holiday usually reserved for movie stars writes PHILLIP KOCH
Why wouldn’t young designer Jasmine Yarbrough be having the time of her life as she gets a taste of Karl’s lavish lifestyle on board his billionaire mate James Packer’s incredible $100 million famous floating palace, the Arctic P?
Endless Cristal champagne, staff to cater to your every whim, a stateroom decorated by one of the world’s leading designers, and a slew of rich boys’ toys, including the $10,000 jetskis she and Karl, 42, used to explore the beautiful waters of Bora Bora.
“It completely and utterly blows your mind away,” reveals a model, who spent time on the superyacht. “There’s absolutely nothing you can’t have, and if they don’t have it on the boat, James sends one of the staff on the chopper to fetch it.
“It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen! So lavish… so beautiful. I didn’t want to leave!”
If Karl had to pick up the tab, it would have cost him $1 million- plus to treat Jasmine, 33, to what can only be described as five amazing days on the 88-metre long Arctic P, which has hosted everyone from Leonardo Dicaprio to Miranda Kerr.
Another guest who has been on James’s superyacht many times says, “It’s over-the-top luxury, with private butlers and 24-hour room service providing anything you want. The bedrooms are incredible and – I know it sounds silly – but even the towels are amazing!
“It’s ridiculous seven-star service all the way and the staff are so discreet it’s like they anticipate your every need before you can even ask for something. I wanted a cup of tea and they delivered a high tea to my room. It’s bliss.”
The Arctic P was given an extensive seven-month refit in 2015, which if anything has only made the six staterooms and James’s master suite, which are spread over two levels, even more luxurious with new handcrafted furniture.
The multimillion-dollar refurbishment also created a redesigned “beach club” on the ship, where a swimming pool with a glass floor and
jacuzzi now take pride of place. The pool and jacuzzi can be submerged to create a dance floor if there’s a party.
If you want to catch a movie, there’s a fully equipped cinema with comfy leather lounge chairs – and you get the choice of any movie you want, including Hollywood blockbusters that haven’t even yet hit the cinemas.
There’s also a health spa if you need your nails done or just want a massage.
James “bans negativity” on the Arctic P and all 40 staff members must sign confidentiality agreements and face immediate dismissal if they ever gossip about the billionaire or his friends. He famously sacked a crew member for being “annoying”.
Karl and Jasmine spent their days on board eating, drinking the finest wines, frolicking in the blue waters of Bora Bora and catching up with James, 49, who has not been seen in public in more than six months – ever since his break-up with US singer Mariah Carey.