The age old question for the rich and the famous, "What do you give the one who has everything?" or give yourself, is, like most things, subject to inflation. Once it was enough to have your own luxury yacht to leave just about anybody in the dust in the conspicuous consumption department. But after a few years, too many mere mortals could afford one. And you can only get so far by trying to impress with size. Sooner or later you're cruising along in a supertanker, and driving a moped to the toilet.

So the new frontier in putting the serfs in their place was your own private jet. But even that was only good for so long. What's a poor multi-billionaire to do, when even crack-pot actors have their own private airport with 5 jets? Upstaged by a glorified disco dancer... Oh, the humanity!

So what's the outer limits of ego boosting vehicles, this side of the chariots of the Gods? How about your very own luxury submersible yacht? Just install an organ, and you too can do 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Nemo style.

Florida based submersible builders U.S. Submarines can offer you u-boats that are a far cry from spartan military steel tubes with no room with a view to the ocean outside other than the ping of the sonar. These submarines have large portholes, making the experience more akin to navigating a large aquarium. And the accomodations and amenities resemble a luxury cruise liner, more than the navy rations, exposed piping, and bunk beds one usually associates with subs.

The top of the line model is the Phoenix 1000, which at 213 feet (65.0 m) is just 8 metres short of the elephantine Airbus A380. On the surface it looks and acts very much like a normal yacht, with a flybridge and a deck for catching some sun, and a top speed of 17 knots.

But if the wind should pick up, and your stomach start to turn from riding the waves, all you have to do is dive, all the way to 1000 feet (305 m) if you want to, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the deep. And if that isn't deep enough for you, you can jump into the mini-sub and descend a further 300 metres.

(Click for larger image)

This design, which we have named the Phoenix 1000, has more than ample space. The total interior area of the submarine is in excess of 460 square meters (5000 square feet). The significant volume, coupled with very large acrylic viewports, and the potential for relatively large open spaces, results in a vehicle as luxurious as the finest of motor yachts.

Clearly, the Phoenix provides its owner with substantially more capability than a simple yacht - the opportunity to explore the depths of the world's oceans in perfect comfort and safety. The Phoenix is capable of making trans-Atlantic crossings at 16 knots yet can dive along the route and explore the continental margins of some of the most fascinating waters on earth. And unlike surface yachts, when the water gets rough, the submarine can submerge into a perfectly smooth and quiet environment, continuing on toward its destination, providing a ride unsurpassed in quality-unequaled by the finest motor coach or the most luxurious executive aircraft.

Range isn't much of a problem either, as it will easily take you across the Atlantic without pit stops. The oxygen reserves will last you for almost a month. In case of nuclear war, this would have to be the perfect get away vehicle.

There are a couple of hurdles to jump for the would be Captain Nemo though. For one thing you'll have to expect a three year build time from the day you place your order. And then there's the price - a mere trifle at $80 million. Of course, you could probably buy your own country the size of France in central Africa for that kind of money, and the crown to go with it.

But for the more budget conscious, U.S. Submarines also offer the 118 fot long Seattle 1000 and the 65 fot Nomad 1000, which carry a slightly less steep price tag, and are more or less "off the rack".

U.S. Submarines are not divulging how many, if any, have ordered the vessel. But is think it's safe to say the market is a rarefied one indeed.

Preliminary Technical Specifications Phoenix 1000
General Specifications
Certification: Depth: Length: Beam: Displacement:	ABS +A1 1000 feet (305 m) 213 feet (65.0 m) 26.3 feet (8.0 m) 1500 tons
Hull Diameter
Bow: Center: Stern: Aft Hemi: Acrylic Deck Saloon Diameter:	13.1 feet (4.0 m) 22.0 feet (6.7 m) 17.0 feet (5.2 m) 13.1 feet (4.0 m) 7.0 feet (2.1 m)
Dynamic Characteristics
Max. Surface Speed: Cruising Speed: Max. Submerged Speed:	17 knots 15 knots 10 knots
Surface Propulsion
Surface Diesels: Diesel Type: Number of Shafts:	2 x 1500 HP MTU 12 V 396T or equiv. 2
Sub-Surface Propulsion
Main Electric Motors: Vertical Thrusters: Horizontal Thrusters:	2 x 500 HP, 360 V DC 2 x 150 HP, hydraulic 2 x 150 HP, hydraulic
Endurance
Surface Range:	3500 + nautical miles
Submerged Endurance
at 10 knots: at 5 knots: at 2.5 knots: at rest:	6 hours 50 hours 140 hours 20 days minimum
Battery & Electrical System
Main Battery: Control Battery: Communication Battery: Emergency Battery: Total Battery Capacity: Electric Generators:	360 V DC - 8800 AH Control Battery: 24 V DC - 2400 AH 24 V DC - 800 AH 24 V DC - 1600 AH 3280 KWH 2 x 370 KW
Gas Supply
Main Oxygen: Reserve Oxygen: Main Air: Air Compressor: Low Pressure Blower:	30 days, full load 10 days 4000 psi in external tanks 4500 psi, 200 HP 30 psi, 50 HP
Ballast & Trim Systems
Main Ballast Capacity: Variable Ballast: Trim Weight: Drop Weight:	750,000 lbs buoyancy 40,000 lbs 20,000 lbs, 78 foot travel 300,000 lbs, 5 sections