Magic and Earlitha “Cookie” Johnson just returned from a lavish six-week yacht vacation aboard the Phoenix 2 superyacht, where they witnessed the arrival and departure of numerous celebrities, acquaintances, and family members.
Starting from Antibes, France, the legendary NBA player made stops in various Italian towns and cities, the Corinth Canal, Mykonos, Oia, Kefalonia, Kalami, and Santorini; Montenegro; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, on his Mediterranean tour. He also traveled to Sicily, Capriccioli, Positano, and Nerano in Italy.
Johnson was accustomed to lavishness while traveling. The NBA legend stayed at a number of well-known establishments, including Taormina’s San Domenico Palace and Sicily’s Four Seasons, which were both highlighted in the movie The White Lotus. Johnson did not stay at the hotel, but he did eat in the restaurant beside the pool. He paid $22 for a cannoli and $33 for a salad. The starting nightly rent for the property is $1,700.
The former athlete chartered the opulent yacht Phoenix 2, which starts at €1,150,000 (about $1,255,000) each week, so he didn’t have to worry about finding somewhere to sleep the night before his race. Johnson’s six-week trip aboard the yacht likely cost him over $7,530,000.
The 29-person crew on the seven-cabin superyacht is willing to assist up to twelve guests. The main cabin is a two-story residence with a separate staircase. With a jacuzzi and amazing ocean views, the suite’s private patio is a great place to relax. The remaining cabins are connected by a central elevator that travels across three deck levels; some of the rooms may accommodate families upon request.
Guests on the opulent yacht have access to three pools for relaxation, an indoor or outdoor theater for watching movies, a jacuzzi, a gym, a piano room for music, a bar for drinks, and a salon and wellness center for when they feel like it.
Johnson also liked entertaining evenings with his guests. One night, the group threw a masquerade party and surprised the basketball player and his family. Their second night in Greece culminated in a “Greek god and goddess extravaganza.” Johnson shared something on Instagram. “Chef Daisy made an amazing spread for us to enjoy, and we had so much fun dressing up and dancing!”
Michael Jordan, Samuel L. Jackson, and Judge Matthis were some of Johnson’s prominent traveling companions.
“We had a great dinner at Da Paolino Ristorante, the lemon tree restaurant in Capri, Italy, last night!” Johnson shared something on Instagram. There was Michael Jordan and his wife Yvette, Sam and LaTanya Jackson, Judge Greg and Linda Mathis, John and Vicki Palmer, and my personal friend, the greatest basketball player of all time.
The friends can be seen grinning and laughing as they pose for a group photo on a carousel of pictures. Magic and Jordan smiled in another picture at the storied restaurant while they were serenaded by musicians.
Johnson’s first group of friends had already left for their vacation when his family arrived in Italy.
“Joining Cookie and me on the yacht will be Gigi and Avery, our kids Andre, EJ, and Elisa, and our daughter-in-law Lisa!” Magic, 63, posted a statement beside a photo of the happy group posing on the deck against a stunning backdrop of seaside rocks.
Johnson traveled to five countries while carrying a total of eighteen visitors. If the past few years’ pattern continues, he will most likely go through the entire procedure again in 2024.