Churchill’s yacht Christina O docks in Bodrum, Türkiye

The Canadian warship Christina O, transformed into a luxurious floating palace, has docked in Bodrum. Once a host to icons such as Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe, the vessel is now attracting attention with its storied past and opulent makeover.

The ship, originally built as the HMS Stormont for the Canadian Navy in 1943, escorted convoys carrying war supplies to Allied forces during World War II. The renowned businessman Aristotle Onassis later purchased it for $340,000, modernized it with an investment of $4 million, and renamed it Christina O in honor of Onassis’ daughter, Christina.

After Aristotle Onassis’ death, Christina Onassis donated the yacht to the Greek government in 1978 for use by the president of Greece. The Greek government renamed the yacht Argo.

In 1998, Greek shipowner John Papanikoliu, a friend of Onassis, bought the yacht back from the Greek state for $50 million, restored it, and renamed it Christina O in tribute to Christina Onassis.

In 2023, it was announced that the weekly rental for the 99-meter-super yacht Christina O is 545,000 pounds ($709.876).