When the Monaco Yacht Show opens its gates a week from today, the four-day extravaganza will mark the 34th edition of yachting’s marquis event. The glittering white buildings on Monte Carlo’s hills deliver a proper “Billionaires”-style backdrop, while the collection of 120 superyachts in Port Hercule is dazzling in the morning sunrise. This year, 47 new yachts will attend the show (versus 51 last year), with 27 debuts (26 last year).
The anticipated showing of the 390-foot Feadship, Breakthrough, designed and built for Bill Gates, turned out to be a mirage. The yacht went into charter and won’t be at the show. But there are other showstoppers, including the 236-foot Admiral 72 designed by the late Giorgio Armani, the opus to a yacht-designing career that included just two yachts, but they were stunning. Feadship’s new 260-foot, hybrid diesel-electric yacht, Valor, the largest debut at the show, will also attract its share of fans at Monaco. Other noteworthy launches: the 236-foot sailing yacht, Katana, the largest sailing yacht debut at the show, the Maiora 36 Exuma, with an oasis bow area and plunge pool on the upper deck, and Damen’s 175-foot support vessel Emotional, which has a 15-tonne crane and facilities for helicopters, toys, and submersibles. The 295-foot Oceanco Luna becomes the largest vessel at the show with Breakthrough’s absence.
The spirit of Breakthrough—the world’s first superyacht powered by a green hydrogen fuel-cell system—will live on with other eco-focused events. The new MYS Innovation Deck demonstrates the technological evolution of superyachts and what’s coming in the near future. They include display screens that disappear inside wood or natural stone surfaces, lighting systems that change to different conditions, such as movies, dinners or relaxing, and cyber security programs. The Monaco Yacht Show’s Blue Wake program has 28 exhibitors with operational solutions that can accelerate yachting’s environmental transition.
In the meantime, here are our 14 faves among Monaco’s world debuts.
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Admiral Yachts 72 by Giorgio Armani
Image Credit: Admiral YachtsWe’ve all seen beach clubs with large swim platforms and balconies that fold down amidships, but the Admiral 72, penned by the late Giorgio Armani and Italian Sea Group Chairman Giovanni Costantino, features upper decks that unfold like suspended terraces. It’s an intriguing idea complemented by an open-air lounge, helipad and eye-catching bronze paint scheme. Inside, the Italian fashion designer has let rip with his signature exotic glamor using black Marquinia marble, golden Calacatta marble, and an array of handcrafted lighting for a truly signature aesthetic.
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Golden Yachts ‘O’Madeleine’
Image Credit: Golden YachtsThe most recent 197-foot build from Golden Yachts is the first hull in its GY60 series. O’Madeleine brought together two design powerhouses, with an exterior penned by Studio Vafiadis and an interior by Massari Design. A bank of continuous tinted windows and sharp lines define the yacht in profile. On the lower deck is a beach club with hammam and relaxation lounge. On the sundeck, there’s a custom Jacuzzi and outdoor cinema. Inside, textured stingray leather, straw panels, and hand-carved marble feature on the walls enhancing the yacht’s Mediterranean design scheme, along with Nordic sculptural bespoke furniture.
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Perini Navi ‘Katana’
Image Credit: Italian Sea GroupThe fourth yacht in Perini Navi’s 60-meter (196-foot) sailing series, Katana has an exterior by Ron Holland and interior by Rémi Tessier, considered rockstars in their respective design areas. Delivered last July, Katana combines Perini’s aesthetic appeal with performance. The yacht’s open deck spaces and dual helm stations ensure a smooth, enjoyable sailing experience, while also enhancing its refined look. The high-performance, fully automated rigging system, including a carbon-fiber mast and boom, is designed to optimize sailing efficiency and handling. At the same time, the hydraulic furling system allows for easy management of the sails. This movement toward automation makes this graceful-looking yacht easy to sail and race.
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Picchiotti Gentleman’s 24M Runabout
Image Credit: Italian Sea GroupDespite the dominance of the gigayachts, there are gems among the motoryachts and even the tenders at Monaco. The relatively small Picchiotti Gentleman’s 24M runabout was included in this list because of its retro elegance. The 78-footer from Luca Dini Design and Architecture blends modern and retro elements. The sleek exterior features a high-gloss finish, combining classic wooden accents with contemporary materials like carbon fiber and polished stainless steel. This fusion of elements is similar to early-20th century motoryachts, but with the technology for superior performance and durability. A teardrop-shaped transom with integrated swim platform enhances the visual appeal while providing access to the water. This blend of old and new is a hallmark of the Picchiotti Gentleman’s design philosophy.
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Tankoa ‘Rose’
Image Credit: Tankoa YachtsThe first hull in Tankoa Yachts’ T55 Sportiva range, Rose enjoys a range of amenities and onboard experiences conceived at the request of the young entrepreneurial owner. These include a considerable beach club fitted with a large swimming pool, full-height windows for natural light, and two panoramic Jacuzzis. The wow factor is reserved for a semi-submerged underwater lounge, which according to the builder, was a non-negotiable request. The interior penned by Lissoni & Partners contains six guest suites, including a primary with a private terrace. It’s complemented by an “aerodynamic” exterior by Luca Dini Design & Architecture.
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Bilgin Yachts ‘Al Reem’
Image Credit: Bilgin YachtsAl Reem stands to be the largest new yacht to exhibit at Monaco this year. Bilgin got creative with the third hull in its 263 series introducing an owner’s deck that is accessed via a circular glass elevator. That’s not the only Willy Wonka feature aboard the 263-foot yacht, with an upper deck swimming pool, a bridge relocated to the top deck to enhance the captain’s visibility, and better placement of the master suite that now faces the foredeck. Al Reem is also a whopping 20 percent larger in interior volume than the previous two sisterships.
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Heesen Yachts ‘Solemates’
Image Credit: Heesen YachtsSolemates may be the sixth hull from Heesen’s 55m Steel platform, underlining the popularity of this 180-foot design, but the experienced owner made multiple customizations tailored to his preferences that make it feel individual. These include a vibrant interior designed by Silvia Margutti of Luca Dini Design and Architecture, a redesigned main staircase with acrylic panels embedded with gold flakes and crystals, and an enlarged sundeck Jacuzzi. Following its world debut at Monaco this year, the yacht will be available for charter.
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Feadship ‘Valor’
Image Credit: FeadshipOwners who take their dogs to sea require, as this yacht’s name suggests, great courage, however any risk is mitigated by Valor’s owner who mandated a grass-filled relief station and shower aboard his yacht to be used by his three Golden Retrievers. Just as unusual is the yacht’s exterior design, which is modeled on a missile frigate. The owner’s dreams stretch to exploration, with Valor conceived to transit the Northwest Passage. When the time comes, the long-range hybrid diesel-electric vessel will be capable of operating in zero-emission mode for 48 hours.
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Canados Oceanic 100 Shadow
Image Credit: CanadosDescribed by the Italian builder as an “escort vessel,” the 100-foot Oceanic 100 Shadow is a high-speed, low-profile yacht designed for all the fun. A whopping 46-foot aft deck is large enough to hold a 23-foot tender and a large collection of water toys, with easy launch using the on-deck crane. When the toys are in the water, it doubles as a beach club for guests and easy access to the water from the dedicated dive room. A Cristiano Gatto-designed interior brings a monochrome touch to the full-beam owner’s suite with a connecting bathroom and walk-in closet.
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Baglietto Dom 115 Cadet
Image Credit: BagliettoAt 115 feet in length, the first unit of Baglietto’s DOM 115 makes a connection to the outdoors its star quality. That is achieved with a heavy use of onboard glass, such as the concealed sliding glass door on the main deck that when fully open joins the main saloon and formal dining area to the aft deck lounge. A second glass-encased lounge on the upper deck opens on three sides, while the bridge deck aft makes the most of al fresco dining, and the main deck hosts a large swimming pool.
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Damen ‘After You’
Image Credit: Damen YachtsDamen’s first iteration of its luxury expedition SeaXplorer 60 mates operational capability with all the fun in the sun. It’s evident in the heli deck that doubles as either a basketball court by day, an early evening lounge with fire pit, or a party deck by night with disco lights. After You’s cruising plan is just as diverse, designed to explore both Poles with a 6,000-nautical-mile range and up to 30 days autonomy at sea. An on-deck Jacuzzi brings the bubbles for eight people. The full-beam owner’s ensuite has twin basins, a glass shower, and a full-sized bath.
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Columbus Yachts ‘Big Naan’
Image Credit: Columbus YachtsBig Naan delivers an unusually large amount of exterior deck space, along with a sundeck fitted for lounging and dining sheltered by a hardtop bimini. There’s also a vast aft deck with a pool and built-in stern crane that can either be set up with loose lounge furniture or used to store the yacht’s tender. The 138-footer’s modern and robust exterior design reflects the owner’s love of exploration, with plenty of volume in the bow to store a serious collection of the latest water toys.
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Maiora Exuma 36
Image Credit: Next Yacht GroupThe Maiora 36 Exuma stands out for pushing design boundaries on its 121-foot hull. The yacht blurs the lines between interior and exterior with its expansive 1,300-square-foot open-air salon, created by retractable aft doors and sliding side windows. Above, the “Nest Deck” offers a private lounge with unparalleled seclusion. The foredeck features a secluded area with lounge seating, a pool, and a mesh that overlooks the hidden bow. At the stern, a large beach club with foldout wings provides sea access and ample lounging space. Inside, the open-plan main salon flows seamlessly from aft to foredeck. Powered by three waterjets connected to 2,000 hp MAN V-12s, the Exuma reaches 37 mph and cruises at 23 mph. Its shallow draft of 4’9” allows access to shallow waters like the Bahamas, making it ideal for exploration, perfectly complementing its name.
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Riva 112 Dolcevita Super
Image Credit: Riva YachtsThis yacht made its global debut in Cannes, but it’s a Riva so it look much more at home in Monte Carlo. The sleek profile is different from the 110-foot Dolcevita launched in 2018. This larger version offers a different experience, both inside and out. The 635-foot rear cockpit includes a beach club that encompasses about half of the total area. It can be expanded via bulwarks that create side terraces beyond an already generous 23’5” beam, turning it into a platform near the water. Above, the flybridge measures an even more impressive 660 square feet, and is divided into a rear social area with loose furniture (it can be cleared to make a dance floor), a mid-deck cocktail bar with stools, and a retractable television beside a central lounge. The interior has two possible layouts—one with the dining area aft near the cockpit and a lounge in the center, or a more conventional configuration with the dining area in the center. The Riva’s twin 16V 2000 MTUs deliver a top end of 25.5 knots.
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