The Packer family tinnie, the Arctic P, is fully fuelled, the champagne bar restocked and the crew is on high alert in preparation for the arrival of Mariah Carey in Italy early next week. PS hears the former ice-breaker the late Kerry Packer had converted into a luxury private cruise ship has been in Naples this week in preparation for the arrival of the pop diva and her billionaire fiance James Packer.
And, with so many other well-heeled Aussies also in the vicinity, most notably for the "conception party" to mark fellow billionaire, the silvertail truckie Lindsay Fox's 80th birthday, the azure waters of the Italian riviera will become the Aussieterranean for the coming "season".
Among the crew from downunder reportedly in attendance for Fox's somewhat early birthday celebrations are fellow money bags Andrew Forrest, Anthony and Jeanne Pratt, Solomon Lew, Jack Cowin and Gina Rinehart, fresh from her subtropical celebrations for daughter Ginia's wedding on Hamilton Island. Gina is also reportedly planning a major fireworks display as a special birthday treat for her old mate, while Hugh Jackman is also on the guest list. Oh the follies of the super rich.
And with Billy Joel manning the piano bar aboard the Seabourn luxury cruise ship that Fox has commandeered for his celebrations, along with "our Hugh", the prospect of Mariah slipping into hot pants and joining in the party is certainly an attractive one. Last time it was James' ex-wife Erica who was by his side when Fox celebrated his 70th birthday over three days in Sydney.
Sadly James' new mega tinnie, a floating behemoth which is said to be costing the casino mogul well in excess of $150 million, is still not complete, with at least another year of construction before the floating palace is finally launched on the Med. So "Jamiah" will have to make do with the 90-metre Arctic P, and all the bells and whistles that comes with it, from the inflatable water slide to the hull filled with the sort of toys one would expect with a superyacht.
The Arctic P will host their first anniversary celebrations after they went public with their relationship, walking hand in hand throughout the Italian resort town of Portofino last June. Indeed it is hard to believe that it was only a year ago they walked the cobble stone streets of the idyllic holiday destination of the rich and famous with a handful of paparazzi in hot pursuit. No doubt Mariah has packed her personal umbrella holder again for this trip, lest she melt in the hot Mediterranean sun.
The couple have become international media darlings, their romance documented across the globe with Mariah offering plenty of fodder for the likes of PS to mull over, including her most recent Instagram lingerie posts and her red carpet appearance last weekend when she appeared to forget to wear any pants. No doubt her upcoming cruise wear will be equally enthralling.
(The Sydney Morning Herald)
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