Christina O was originally delivered by Canadian Vickers in 1943 as an anti-submarine vessel and served in the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Naval architecture is by Professor Cãsar Pinnau and Howaldtswerke, while exterior design is by Costas Carabelas.
The superyacht was later converted by Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis, the second husband of Jackie Kennedy, who bought her at scrap value and then spent $4,000,000 on the rebuild; approximately $50,000,000 in today’s terms. As part of her works, she was fitted with a new interior by Apostolos Molindris.
Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy are some of the names that have walked on her decks.
Christina O later underwent a complete rebuild in 2001, where she was stripped down to the bare hull while carefully preserving her original features.
Christina O accommodates a large party of 34 guests in 17 cabins, refurbished in similar décor to that originally selected by Jackie Onassis. Her rich interior still contains the Steinway piano that Frank Sinatra and Maria Callas used while visiting, while the Onassis suite boasts an onyx fireplace and Baccarat crystal lighting. The yacht's glamorous circular staircase also has a vintage onyx and silver handrail.
There are quarters for up to 39 crew.
