( CNN ) -- If this yacht could talk , one can only imagine the stories it would tell about one of the most high-profile romances of the 20th century . The stately superyacht Christina O is n't just a gorgeous 99-meter vessel . It 's the palatial setting where billionaire shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis married Jackie Kennedy , the former wife of U.S. President John F Kennedy . Now the luxury liner which played host to the crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me of 1950s high society -- including Frank Sinatra , Marilyn Monroe , Elizabeth Taylor , Richard Burton and John Wayne -- has gone on sale for a whopping $ 32 million . Known for its lavish parties , the elegant ship may well be called the `` Love Boat , '' for its notorious on board romances -- and even a royal wedding . In 1956 Prince Rainier of Monaco and U.S. screen siren Grace Kelly held their wedding reception on the boat , which accommodates 36 guests in 18 sumptuous staterooms . Onassis ' own love affair with opera singer Maria Callas also played out on board , as they cruised exotic locations across Europe in the company of Hollywood stars Greta Garbo , Bette Davis and Margot Fonteyne . However , the affair ended abruptly when the tycoon courted President Kennedy 's widow , Jackie , later marrying on the very same yacht in 1968 , near his private island of Scorpios . `` Aristotle Onassis saw Christina O as a powerful symbol of his growing business empire , '' said Nicholas Edmiston , chairman of the yacht company Edmiston , which plans to sell the vessel mid-August . `` It really was the last word in opulence and many personalities were attracted by its ability to offer them some privacy , not just by its magnificence . '' It 's been quite a journey for the boat which began life in 1943 as a World War II surplus Canadian frigate . A decade later , Onassis bought the boat for just $ 34,000 , gutting the interior and spending $ 4 million -- the equivalent of $ 45 million today -- converting her into one of the luxurious superyachts in the world . In 1975 , Onassis died and the yacht was left to his daughter , Christina , in his will . She in turn bequeathed it to the Greek government as a presidential yacht . More than 20 years later , the tired-looking vessel was restored to its former glory , and now boasts an art deco dining room where Maria Callas and Frank Sinatra used to perform , an atrium with onyx pillars , and a mosaic pool which converts into a dance floor .
Christina O , former superyacht of Aristotle Onassis , up for sale . Onassis wed former Monaco first lady Jackie Kennedy on board luxury vessel . Expected to fetch $ 45 million when goes on sale in 1950s . Backdrop to lavish 1950s parties , attended by Aristotle Onassis , Jackie Kennedy .