A Superyacht Tour of the Heesen Agnetha

Going, going - and Agnetha is gone. Not for us, at least, who, despite the sale of the 55-metre yacht during the Monaco Yacht Show, were still able to take her for a spin. As we sped out from Port Hercule and across to the marina of Cala del Forte in Ventimiglia, we were met by the tiered, gleaming beauty of Agnetha - a Steel Class Blue-Water Motor Yacht with Dutch craftsmanship at its sturdy core, and each of its six staterooms dressed in the refined elegance of contemporary Italian design, accommodating up to 12 guests.

Agnetha marks an important milestone in the new era of Heesen, as one of the first superyachts launched under the ownership of Dutch entrepreneur and investor Laurens Last, who acquired Heesen Yachts in April 2025. “This acquisition is more than an investment - it’s a dream,” said Last. “Heesen represents the pinnacle of Dutch engineering and maritime craftsmanship. I am honoured to take ownership and ensure the brand continues to flourish for generations to come.”

Stepping aboard, the design waves in a symphony of turquoise and cerulean elements – mellow, calming and intentionally bringing the colours of the rippling sea from the outside of the yacht, inside. According to Agnetha’s interior designer, Silvia Margutti of Luca Dini, that is, who we gratefully had on board our excursion to give us the grand tour of the yacht’s vast and meticulously styled levels. The design is clean, clever and open - brimming with carefully selected furniture and décor from the likes of Molteni&C, Frette, Oliver Treutlein and Glancy Fawcett.

As you step off the gangway and switch from espadrille sandals to terry-towelled slippers, you are faced with a glistening metallic mosaic table, flanked by cosily cushioned egg chairs. Silvia mentioned that, earlier in the design process, these chairs had been intended to hang rather than stand. However, given the potential movement of the yacht, they opted for the more stable of the two options. The same thinking applied to the chandeliers in the expansive main saloon, where, instead of dangling crystal, a modern lighting fixture featuring discs of textured glass anchored to metal poles creates the drama of a chandelier – without any sway!

With design precautions against movement on board being a wise choice, that’s not to say that Agnetha is unsound, in fact she has already proven herself exceptionally sturdy when it comes to stability. On her maiden voyage from Holland to Monaco, she faced a testing array of conditions – but never faltered. “Her sea-keeping ability was impressive, maintaining stability and comfort throughout,” Captain Mike Rouse commented. “From propulsion to onboard systems, everything operated flawlessly. This delivery not only proved the yacht’s resilience but also affirmed her readiness for luxury cruising. A remarkable debut for a world-class superyacht.”

Entering the lounge and indoor dining area, you’re met with what are quite possibly the most comfortable dining chairs I’ve ever encountered – each resembling a velvety puffer jacket perched upon four wooden legs. Across the levels, a series of sleek sculptures, faintly reminiscent of tall marble Oscar awards, are showcased by Luki and Tartarelli Art Gallery (as is all the artwork), embellishing the corners of communal spaces and forming a central feature of Agnetha’s glowing staircase.

A space worth talking up is the master bedroom on the main deck, featuring a selection of art pieces including a sumo wrestler sculpture speckled with vibrant butterflies, and a delicate depiction of the famed hands from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco The Creation of Adam – crafted from thread and nails, and positioned above the bed. But what really makes the master the showstopper is the bathroom – in other words, the ultimate his-and-hers bathroom. This isn’t just his-and-hers sinks; no, this is a full his-and-hers bathroom, with separate frosted glass toilet cubicles, vanity mirrors and sinks on either side of the room. A spacious walk-in rain shower sits between them, with entrances on both sides. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a shower so large on land, let alone at sea.

Agnetha is crafted for group expeditions, featuring numerous twin rooms ideal for younger guests and multiple separate cabins. Whether it’s a trip with the whole family or the entire friendship group, this yacht is built for hosting at scale. Her carefully planned, expansive layout also makes her perfect for charter – whether Agnetha’s new owner will be putting her up for charter, however, is yet to be confirmed…

Moving to the upper deck, there’s a circular dining table for relaxed al fresco meals, and up on the sundeck is a range of state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including a reformer Pilates set-up (trendy, we know) and a bubbling forward-facing jacuzzi that backs onto a tapered sunpad, where guests can laze and dry off. Though we didn’t go for a dip in the hot tub, we did go for a paddle elsewhere – in the Mediterranean. As the crew anchored us just below the southern French village of Eze, they threw something extra into the water just for us – sea bobs! All the rage in the yachting world, apparently, they’re essentially motored body boards to help you to swim like you’re Michael Phelps.

As we set sail along the Côte d’Azur and made our way back towards Italian waters, we joined Captain Mike Rouse on the bridge (the area where the yacht is steered, for those unfamiliar with the lingo) to learn more about the inner workings of both Agnetha and his all-important role. “It’s like a massive game of chess,” Captain Mike said, explaining that his favourite part of the job was sitting at the bridge with a cup of coffee, looking over the expansive set of controls and out to the open sea.

Designed as one of the 55-metre Steel series by Omega Architects, in collaboration with Heesen’s in-house team and Van Oossanen Naval Architects, Agnetha is built with frugal fuel consumption, meaning she can operate for longer on less fuel – reducing environmental impact. She also has a 760 GT internal volume, a top speed of 15.5 knots and an ultra-efficient fast displacement hull form.

Though Agnetha has been sold, her sister-ship, Frida, is soon to be available. Named after another member of ABBA, she is currently under construction and will be available for delivery in December 2025.

Find out more about Frida via heesenyachts.com