The Coral Vanda class of heavy luxury submarines takes its name from a famous underwater cruiser in the oceans of Pantolomin. The ship was originally intended as a one-off white elephant, but since it was both an economic success and a source of tremendous fame, numerous tour operators all over the galaxy approached the mother shipyard for their own versions. The rest is history: on almost every planet with underwater tourism, at least one Coral Vanda class sub shows rich tourists the wonders of the light-flooded deep.
It was only a matter of time until corporations of all kinds and extremely well-off individuals discovered their own underwater luxury cruiser as a source of prestige. For those who can afford it, the Coral Vanda offers maximum independence, privacy, and safety from paparazzi. There is even a dedicated casino version, since various casino operators on worlds with restrictive taxation or gambling laws decided to hide their activities below the ocean with relative impunity from the prying eyes of tax and law enforcement authorities.
Although there have been a few attempts to convert Coral Vandas into underwater troop transports, such attempts have been largely unsuccessful. The sub`s design offers no stealth beyond the fact that it travels underwater; in addition, its maximum cruise speed is difficult to increase without a substantial redesign of the engine layout. Consequently, the service life of this elegant giant has remained mostly peaceful.