For the past week and change, Alex Rodriguez has been squeezing the proverbial juice out of his post-J.Lo life by partying on a European megayacht tour, ostensibly in honor of his 46th year on Earth. Much as perfectly symmetrical shapes occur in nature, A-Rod’s trip just so happens to be a perfect foil toLopez’s extended European yacht trip, on which she is celebrating her own birthday—with Ben Affleck, of course. Is this fate? Is it a carefully calculated tabloid war? Is it the season three finale of Succession? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 battle of A-Rod and J.Lo’s megayachts.
The Yachts. A-Rod’s festivities kicked off on July 22, when he and his nephew set sail from Italy for a two-week birthday cruise—he’s just returned to America with “big D energy.” In honor of this occasion, his nephew posted an Instagram story announcing “Euro trip 2k21.” Lest you confuse this Eurotrip with the time you backpacked around Spain after college, A-Rod’s boat is purported to be worth $32 million and holds a pool, two gyms, and a dance floor.
Two days later, J.Lo embarked with significantly more flair, jetting out to St. Tropez for the now legendary yacht day with Ben Affleck. Her megayacht is more than a smidge fancier, too: worth more than four times A-Rod’s, it boasts a full on movie theater and Turkish Hammam. Very specific!
Although this isn’t about endurance, J.Lo is certainly ahead on that factor—she is still bopping around the Mediterranean with her “BEN” necklace with no signs of returning anytime soon. A Super Bowl check buys you a whole lot of vacation days.
The Locale. A-Rod hit St Tropez and then Monte Carlo, where he celebrated his actual birthday somewhere near a private jet. He then boarded that private jet to head to Ibiza, where he stayed until yesterday. Meanwhile, J.Lo is still going: after her day in St. Tropez—during which A-Rod is alleged to have jetskied around her megayacht—she hit Monaco, the site of the “BEN” necklace debut, and then sojourned on to Naples and Capri.
The Guests. A handful of A-Rod’s friends and colleagues have joined him on his journey, including country singer Jessie James and her husband, NFL star Eric Decker, as well as NFL reporter Melanie Collins, whom A-Rod is said to be “just friends” with. Also in attendance: what Page Six delicately and respectfully dubbed an unidentified “bevy of bikini-clad women.”
J.Lo’s tour is looking a little more intimate—so far she and Ben are the only actual guests reported to be on board their superyacht.
The Entertainment. These two vacations have considerably different…vibes. J.Lo is obviously going for romance—her activities of choice include lounging, making out, posing for photos, the occasional shopping trip, and more making out. It’s her vacation! She’ll do with it what she pleases.
A-Rod packed his schedule with a wide variety of activities, lending his trip a sort of adult summer camp energy. Such activities included: