Alex Rodriguez’s birthday trip to Italy has been something of a headline hitter thanks to his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez’s nearby yacht trip with her rekindled flame Ben Affleck.
Yet the sportsman did not let his former love’s proximity get in the way of his birthday fun and frolics as he shared a slew of snaps of the festivities as he marked turning 46 in typically lavish style.
Taking to Instagram, A-Rod shared a legion of images showing him boarding a private jet with light up letters spelling out his age and a balloon display before his pal jumped on board with a tequila trophy to get the fun going – shortly before he shared images inside the plane and on the boat.
He penned: ‘I’m feeling so grateful today, not just for celebrating my big day with my incredible friends and family on this magical trip, but for all of the well-wishes, love and support from everyone. I couldn’t ask for anything more. #ThankYouAll. Here’s to a healthy, happy and meaningful 365 days for us all! #46 #AgeIsJustANumber’.
Wow! Alex Rodriguez rang in his 46th birthday in VERY lavish style during Italian holiday as his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez gets steamy with Ben Affleck on nearby vessel
Alex intricately documented the bash on social media alongside posts from his pals, as he showed the lavish brunch the group enjoyed with their table laden with delicious food.
His pal was sure to bring the fun on board as he toted a tequila trophy which he held aloft before bringing the white and blue statuette onto the plane and also carried through the port.
During the day at sea, he was pictured getting very close to ex-fiancée Jennifer’s super-yacht on Monday in Saint-Tropez, as he was seen jet-skiing around the singer’s rented $130M vessel with his pals.
More images saw Alex enjoying a cigar with pals as well as posing in a number of slick ensembles for the big day while also joined by his half-sister Susy Dunand and half-brother Joseph Dunand, who were glam for the party.
The whole gang! Alex intricately documented the bash on social media alongside posts from his pals, as he showed the lavish brunch the group enjoyed with their table laden with delicious food
ARod was riding with his bikini-clad NFL presenter pal Melanie Collins, as well as NFL star Eric Decker and his wife Jesse James Decker, all pictured within a stone’s throw of where JLo had previously been seen putting on a passionate display with on-again boyfriend Ben.
Taking to the high seas a day ahead of his birthday, the sports star was seen grinning with his pretty blonde companion Melanie, 35, while Jen, 52, and Ben, 48, were nowhere to be seen on their expensive cruiser.
Onlookers noted how ARod and his crew narrowly missed Bennifer’s boat as it left the harbor, where it was making its way to Capri, Italy.
Woo! His pal was sure to bring the fun on board as he toted a tequila trophy which he held aloft before bringing the white and blue statuette onto the plane and also carried through the port
Happy days: He was also joined by his half-sister Susy Dunand, who was going glam for the bash and his half-brother Joseph Dunand
Now THIS is living! Alex was joined by his tequila toting pal and sibling Joseph in puffing cigars on deck
Ben and Jen were later seen arriving in Capri on Tuesday, leaving the coast clear for the former MLB star to celebrate his big day in peace.
The ex-baseball player appeared to be in a celebratory mood, as he enjoyed a ride around the waters with bikini-clad Melanie close behind him.
Some reports have suggested they are ‘just friends’ though it seems clear that they have been enjoying one another’s company for his birthday jaunt. He was also pictured with NFL star Eric, 34, and his wife, singer Jessie, 33, as they enjoyed a day of jet-skiing on his birthday.
ARod and JLo have been seemingly in a battle of the superyachts in Saint-Tropez these past few days, having crossed paths on the French Riviera.
Take that, Bennifer! ARod puts on a show on the high seas and gets VERY cozy with pretty blonde NFL presenter on his 46th birthday in St. Tropez… and was pictured jet skiing just a stone’s throw from JLo’s mega-yacht Valerie
That was close! ARod and his friends are seen riding jet skis close to ex JLo’s $130M superyacht, where she had been seen canoodling with on-again beau Ben Affleck just days prior
Fun in the sun: ARod was also pictured with NFL star Eric Decker, 34, and his wife, singer Jessie James Decker, 33, as they enjoyed a day of jet-skiing on his birthday
Something to smile about: Although some reports have suggested ARod and Melanie, 35, are ‘just friends’ the pair appear to be getting on famously
Rodriguez is celebrating his birthday tonight on his rented Ocean Paradise yacht, which has an eye-watering price tag of €27,000,000 ($31,860,810) and can hold 12 guests and another 12 crew.
IG official: Ben, 48, and Jen, 52, have been packing on the PDA on their super-yacht
Yet that is no match for Lopez’s Valerie, currently priced at €110,000,000 ($129,817,600) where on Sunday, Affleck and Ms Lopez were seen recreating steamy scenes from her 2002 music video Jenny from the Block.
Jen’s rented 85-metre vessel Valerie was built by Lürssen in 2011 and underwent an extensive refit in 2019. It can accommodate 17 guests in nine well-appointed cabins with space for a 27-strong crew.
The Valerie boasts seven bedrooms across six decks on which to enjoy the voyage, and the theme of wellness runs throughout with a steam room and even a Hamman, said to be decorated with mosaics – according to Boat International. There are also massage rooms and spaces for beauty treatments.
A gym with a panoramic view of the ocean opens out onto an outdoor space with room for dining and a fountain that lights up at night.
Launched in 2011 and refitted in 2019, the vessel has six decks all served by an elevator and has an onboard 20 foot-long pool and a Jacuzzi which is one of five outdoor spaces. With its spectacular outdoor dining area, the boat was designed with London’s iconic hotel Claridge’s in mind.
The main deck and lounge are designed for hosting and centered around a uniquely designed self-playing piano.
The foredeck has enough room for a helicopter to land, while the upper decks contain a lounge, cinema together with several cabins.
Size matters! Lopez’s 85-meter-long vessel, The Valerie, loomed over her former flames’ boat, which clocks in at a mere 55 meters long
How they stack up: There was quite the difference between the two luxury vessels
It has a top-speed of 17 knots (around 20 mph), a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, and a range of 6000 nautical miles, and costs €950,000 ($1,119,000) per week to charter. It is currently on the market for $130M and being sold by Dynamiq Brokerage.
At ‘just’ 55 meters, Rodriguez’s rented superyacht is dwarfed by his ex’s current ocean-cruising vacation home, but still features luxurious amenities to be envious of.
The Ocean Paradise sleeps 12 guests in six rooms, including one master suite with a balcony, and boasts an interior created by designer Mauro Izzo inspired by Zen gardens.
Life in the fast line: The former MLB star and the NFL sports broadcaster are pictured together on his birthday
Lots to smile about: A-Rod couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he sailed along close to his ex’s yacht
Friends: A-Rod was in good spirits as he chatted to his celebrity friends on the high seas
Splashing around: Melanie, 35, appeared to be having the time of her life while staying close to ARod for the jaunt
All smiles here: While Bennifer have been packing on the PDA, ARod has been having some fun of his own
Close by: The star was seen extremely close to J-Lo’s yacht
Glass walls form the layout of the interior, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide clear views of the ocean.
The sun-deck features a jacuzzi, a large covered dining area, an indoor/outdoor gym and a dance floor.
According to a description online, the vessel contains ‘timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating feature throughout to create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.’
To charter the Ocean Paradise costs €265,000 ($312,000) per week, and with a cruising speed of 15.5 knotts, Rodriguez would be able to out-pace his ex’s yacht over long-distances.
Although he is expected to have around 50 guests for his birthday celebrations, only a lucky few will be staying the night on his Ocean Paradise yacht.
Lopez and Rodriguez ended their engagement in April this year, explaining they were ‘better as friends’ and looked ‘forward to remaining so,’ in a joint statement.
Still, Alex appeared to be more than happy with his fancy cruiser, as he was accompanied by his NFL reporter blonde, who is apparently ‘just friends’ with.
Bennifer’s tour of love rolls into Italy! Jennifer and Ben held hands in Capri on Tuesday after leaving St Tropez (and her ex Alex) behind them