Magic and Earlitha “Cookie” Johnson have recently returned from a spectacular six-week yacht holiday onboard the Phoenix 2 superyacht, where they saw countless celebrities, acquaintances, and family members arrive and depart.
The NBA legend kicked out his Mediterranean tour in Antibes, France, and visited various Italian towns and cities, as well as the Corinth Canal, Mykonos, Oia, Kefalonia, Kalami, and Santorini; Montenegro; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. In Italy, he also went to Positano, Nerano, Sicily, and Capriccioli.
Johnson was no stranger to opulence on his quest. The NBA legend visited famous hotels and restaurants such as Taormina’s San Domenico Palace and Sicily’s Four Seasons, both of which were featured in the film The White Lotus. Despite not staying at the hotel, Johnson did dine at the poolside restaurant, where he ordered a salad for $33 and a cannoli for $22. The nightly rates at the facility start at $1,700.
The former athlete didn’t have to worry about a place to stay the night before his race because he chartered the opulent yacht Phoenix 2, which starts at €1,150,000 (about $1,255,000) each week. Johnson most likely spent around $7,530,000 on the yacht for his six-week adventure.
The seven-cabin superyacht is priced with a crew of 29, who may assist up to twelve guests. The main cabin is a two-story residence with its own set of stairs. The suite’s private patio with a jacuzzi and stunning views of the ocean. A central elevator connects the remaining cabins on the ship’s three floors; depending on the needs of the visitors, some of the rooms can be converted into family accommodations.
Guests on board the luxury yacht can unwind in one of three pools, watch a movie in either the indoor or outdoor theater, soak in a jacuzzi, work out in the gym, listen to music in the piano room, have a drink at the bar, or visit the salon and wellness center as needed.
Johnson and his guests also had enjoyable evenings. One night, the group surprised the basketball star and his family with a masquerade party. A “Greek god and goddess extravaganza” was the high point of their second night in Greece. Johnson made a post on Instagram. “We had so much fun dressing up and dancing and Chef Daisy prepared an outstanding spread for us to enjoy!”
Judge Matthis, Michael Jordan, and Samuel L. Jackson were among Johnson’s prominent passengers.
“Last night, we had a fantastic meal at the lemon tree restaurant in Capri, Italy, Da Paolino Ristorante!” Johnson made a post on Instagram. Judge Greg and Linda Mathis were present, as were John and Vicki Palmer, Sam and LaTanya Jackson, Michael Jordan and his wife Yvette, and my personal buddy and the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan.
A carousel of photographs shows the mates smiling and laughing as they pose for a group portrait. Magic and Jordan smiled in another photo as they were serenaded by musicians at the famed diner.
Johnson was joined in Italy by his family after his initial group of friends had left.
“Gigi and Avery, as well as our children Andre, EJ, and Elisa, as well as our daughter-in-law Lisa, will be joining Cookie and me on the yacht!” Magic, 63, remarked with a photo of the happy group posing on the deck against a stunning backdrop of seaside pebbles.
Johnson visited five countries with a total of 18 passengers on board. If the tendency from past years continues, he will most likely repeat the entire process in 2024.