No longer are the days when submarines were limited to naval operations. With U.S. Submarines’ latest development, you are free to traverse the ocean from the comfort of your own luxurious $80 million underwater craft.

By Sara Neff

Imagine it’s a beautiful summer day and you are cruising the calm ocean on your stately yacht. All is perfect until storm clouds emerge and everyone is forced to retreat inside to avoid being spattered with rain. For most, this scenario constitutes a return to shore. For others, it provides the perfect opportunity to explore the vastness of what lies beneath the ocean’s surface. These certain individuals have discovered the wonders of owning their very own majestic submarine from U.S. Submarines. When bad weather strikes, they’re able to close the hatch of their sub and dive beneath the surface of the ocean to discover the denizens of the deep in ultimate luxury – staying for days at a time if they wish. With their newest development, the Phoenix 1000, U.S. Submarines has created the ultimate personal transportation device.

With the creation of the Phoenix 1000, nautical enthusiasts will be able to comfortably explore the infinite ocean waters from the privacy of their own extravagant submarine, provided they’re able to spare $80 million and wait 36-42 months for delivery. The 213-foot sub consists of a steel pressure hull containing three decks, thus creating an interior space in excess of 5,000 square feet. Large panoramic acrylic view ports provide Phoenix 1000 passengers sweeping and exclusive glimpses of the undersea world. If one’s inner venturer gets the best of them, an optional minisub is available aft of the Phoenix’s superstructure, able to leave the Phoenix while submerged to further roam throughout the ocean at depths of up to 2000 feet, or to rise to the surface to bring passengers to the Phoenix below.

The flying bridge, the uppermost level of the vessel, provides ample space ideal for lounging, and houses many of the sub’s necessary electronics including a GPS antennae, a satellite communications radome, and a remote steering station. Located directly below the flying bridge, the deck saloon is accessible through a large hydraulically operated hatch and stairway. In order to navigate the waters while on the surface, the captain will find all of the Phoenix 1000’s monitoring and navigation equipment at the front of the deck saloon.

Two decks–each 102 feet long and 20 feet wide–make up the main passenger area. An engineering workstation and crew’s cabins comprise the upper deck with a room at the forward portion of the deck designed according to its owner’s specifications and preferences. The main deck, the lower of the two, accommodates the living and dining areas at the front of the vessel, and the owner’s stateroom and guest cabins are located at the rear. Thirty-five inch portholes can be placed wherever the owner deems necessary. The design and all of the amenities provided to the owner of the Phoenix 1000 are customized to the owner’s preferences making the submarine a truly original and magnificent machine.

Now that they’ve conquered the personal luxury submarine market, what’s next for U.S. Submarines? They are taking the idea of underwater comfort a step further with the development of sea floor resort complex—a hotel perfect for those who literally want to sleep with the fishes. The legend of Atlantis will come to life at the five-star resort, appropriately named Poseidon Undersea Resort after the ancient Greek god of the sea. The first resort of its kind, Poseidon, in its final design stages, is set to open in 2009 sixty feet below the water in the Bahamas. As expected, Poseidon will provide its guests with the ultimate indulgences and the finest service, at the right price of course. With rooms ranging from $1,500 to $20,000 per night, not just anyone will be able to take in views formerly reserved for scuba divers.