The central command post features throttles at center and a joystick equipped armrest (see lower-left of pic). It takes a little getting used to. For us old salts, there's something fundamentally wrong about boating without a wheel. However, to make up this wheel-less wonder, a roving steering module allows remote positioning from the bow, stern or any point on the boat, for full vision while backing into a slip, or side angling to the dock via thrusters.

This picture is the view you see as you enter the Main Salon from the Aft Deck. The Grand Salon is resplendent with a classic arrangement of twin couches, chairs and ottomans, centered upon the artistically designed cocktail table of etched glass, gold-leaf inlays, and silver base. Separating twin, custom, half-circle couches for various seating groups, it reflects as well in the grand overhead ceiling mirror. Daylight views stream through broad windows lining both sides. Carpeting is pure New Zealand wool in the light almond shade.

A nearby chair and end table reveal a surprise; they are hollow. Fashioned of a super lightweight material but gleam with a rich, handsome, yet sturdy veneer, they are actually featherweight. However, many of the upscale couches, tables, stools, etc. are readily available luxury yacht items. It’s impossible to spot which has been built specifically to save weight.

Comfort and fashion levels are outstanding, in keeping with the expected indulgence that so personifies this yacht. Yet, unseen structural components feature a strong but lightweight aluminum honey-comb base. Striking granite and marble floors, plus multiple cabinets in triple high-gloss burled ‘Bovana’ African walnut are also fashioned with weight-saving know-how.

One of the two elegant, hand-crafted statues that flank the entrance to the main salon is pictured here. It too, is an example of the emphasis put forward on weight reduction, as these graceful marble sculptures look as though it would take brute effort to move; but they are readily lifted with fingertips. Photo Caption: The statue's artistry single-handedly represents the same level of extraordinary detail to be found throughout the entire yacht.

Looking aft over the Main Dining area is opulence defined! The salon opens to a formal dining room seating up to ten at a convention-size table. Air conditioning ducts are cleverly hidden in an ovoid soffit running the length of the yacht. It, too, follows the glossy dark walnut theme, unobtrusively tying together all converging elements.

Luxury and comfort exude from every fine detail of the interior design by Evan K. Marshall. Inside the fabulous full-beam grand salon, uniquely cylindrical cabinets– deck-to-ceiling – house delicate Versace crystal, in one. Matched by its twin, the second holds a full array of state-of-the-art sound equipment – Sony Surround-Sound, Samsung, Panasonic – intelligently planned with off-the-shelf, easily replaced components. Sub-woofers, main speakers and other hardware reside in removable drawers. Primly ensconced in pearlized lacquer-finished burled ‘bovana’ wood nests, all are quickly available with push-button latches.

Richly chosen design elements and the smooth, padded, easily-cleaned ceiling headliners above set a fashionable yet restful décor theme. Those color combinations include a light almond nougat base, punctuated by lavish, deep walnut furnishings and opulent, dimensional fabric patterns. An identical color pattern displays throughout the vessel; with sole variances in the magnificent artistic strokes of color in marble floors and countertops. A splendid radius mirror design motif overhead is followed throughout the yacht’s many attractive nooks and crannies, which includes multiple storage spaces throughout.

The main staircase leads from the lower deck guest suites, to the main deck and ultimately to the skylounge. A closer inspection reveals the stairs are not supported around the outside perimeter. How? Carbon Fiber! Interested? Read on...

The winding circular staircases between decks are specially molded carbon-fiber. What truly makes this exceptional is the difficulty in laminating that all too expensive (and even harder to work with) black woven that's difficult to impregnate with resin. Essentially, it's easy to lay-up a flat surface with C.F., but it becomes exponentially more difficult with complex shapes. In this case, they have constucted a one piece staircase with steps cantilevered out from the central foot-thick cylinder. The material is so strong that no outside framing is necessary, again saving weight!

The ultra-modern kitchen is welcomed by guests and chefs alike for its completeness, wide open spaces and ease of use. The Millennium's galley is rather unique. It is positioned parallel to the length of the hull, where as most yacht galley's run perpendicular to the hull. It features two seperate preparation sections, divided by a U-Shaped dinette, that affords complete interaction between guests, cooks and kids that swipe cookies. The galley displays the latest in gourmet food preparation – microwave and counter-top stove surfaces, granite countertops, double-door refrigerator, as well as twin zero freezers. To port is an airy, additional breakfast nook for casual late night or early mornings snacks.

This picture is taken from the opposite side of the galley. It's easily as spacious as any luxury home kitchen. The overhead dinette mirror is clearly seen in this photograph. Every one of the cieling mirrors through out the boat (and there are many), have lights built-into and behind the reflective glass to exactly control the ambiance and illumination.

The motif is carried through to the Skylounge. This view is looking forward. The Skylounge offers a gaming table with four barrel chairs plus couches, armchairs and a decorative cocktail table. The skylounge, which is completely enclosed and somewhat larger than the flybridge, offers deeply cushioned couches and a gaming center, hors d’oeuvres tables plus half a dozen padded stools facing a curved, fully equipped bar. Among the many small elements easily over-looked at first glance... the sofa has recessed lighting, further adding to the dimension and appeal of the Millennium's interior.

Elegantly curved, the Skylounge bar follows the yacht’s radius décor theme and is fully provisioned with a wine and liquor list that would get a nod of approval from a French restaurant maitre d'. The bar sports another one of the many materials used to fashion this yacht... an ivory surface. Beyond the sky lounge, aft, the inviting, wide rear deck is suitably equipped for convivial social gatherings. Should you want to escape the social scene, twin molded-in stairways, port and starboard, lead down to the main aft-deck and further, to the swim platform.

Located amidship and accessed via the spiral spiral staircase from the main deck is the lower deck foyer, elaborately laid out with granite and marble. On this deck are entry-ways to the VIP suite and double guest suite, set athwartships from each other, as well as twin guest suites forward, which are essentially located directly below the master suite on the main deck.

Guest quarters seem even more elaborate than most boats this size. In the VIP suite, windows are ¾” triple-laminate glass, so if the damsel wants out, she'll have to find another route. A king-size, recess lit island berth dominates the room, while his/hers baths/heads are connected by a spacious shower. The complete entertainment scheme offers surround-sound TV, viewed from a half-circle settee. In all, just a tad less posh than the master’s quarters.

The double guest suites are nearly equivalent to the VIP, with couches, closets, lockers, and complete entertainment centers, as well as ensuite baths. These rooms are located forward of the landing foyer and each presents a private head/shower. Immediately forward of the guest rooms are crews quarters with ample, comfortable bunk beds and well-planned closet/hanging locker space, as well as roomy baths/heads, and a fully equipped galley. Entry to the crew's quarters is accessed from the main deck port passageway and is seperate from the guest staterooms. Photo Caption: Even the guest twin-bunk suites make the Hilton look like a Holiday Inn.

The main deck master suite is opulent, with a separate sitting room and bedroom, a king-size island berth joined by sophisticated burled-wood bed tables. Handsome cabinetry and wardrobes, vanities, a built-in bookcase, refreshment bar, and a deeply comfortable half-circle couch face the enormous entertainment center – highlighting a 42” plasma TV/DVD/CD/stereo. The ensuite his-and-hers heads feature a bidet, vanities, spacious shower (with a shower-head up 6’5”) plus a luxurious jacuzzi tub. Secreted in a convenient closet is an electronic safe for the owners. Photo Caption: The head is located behind the headboard wall of the master stateroom bed, which on the Millennium... is forward (toward the bow). Notice the sections that make up the base of the bed... they all storage compartments.

A Jacuzzi tub big enough for two dominates the master head. It is located due center between his and hers seperate washrooms and vanities. Not seen in the this picture is the shower, with marble floors and etched glass walls. The marble floors of the shower feature an in-laid pattern and certain examples of attention to detail are notable. The shower’s granite floor imperceptibly slopes to drain water off to the side of the stall. This was done to eliminate a central drain, which would interfere with the marble's pattern. The marble is then finished to give a non-slip traction surface.

Doors are specially made of ultra-light material so the total weight is less than 10 lbs. each. They are equipped with magnetic plates and jambs for positive closure and adorned with polished brass-plated door hardware by Sardanelli. Every room on the yacht has small, square lights at the doorways which, in a power outage, are plucked from the outlet to provide mobile emergency lighting.

One of the few variances in the theme, color and woodwork throughout the Millennium, is the marble used to accent each bathroom floor. Each head has a different color and pattern in the floor, chosen to match the decoration of each individual stateroom. The master head is so opulent, it gives a higher meaning to the term... "throne". Photo Caption: If you carefully examine this photograph, you will notice the marble was hand-picked, with lines that match the curvature of the jettison sinks. Now that's attention to detail!