The Monaco Yacht Show just wrapped up, and while many excellent yachts were on display, visitors and media alike were buzzing over a select few. Here are our picks for the top six superyachts of the show (listed in alphabetical order):
1. Benetti’s Told U So. If ever there were a yacht with a playful interior for grown-ups and kids alike, this is it. Commissioned by the owner of Molori private retreats, Told U So has so many well-thought-out elements, from the double-size saloon (no formal dining room on the main deck) to the Moroccan-themed daybeds flanking the hot tub. Even the height of the steps was taken into consideration, making them kid-friendly and elderly-friendly at once. In addition, given the wide assortment of watertoys (PWCs, diving gear, a banana boat, waterskis, wakeboards, and SeaBobs), no one can complain of a lack of fun.
2. Cizgi Yacht’s E&E. E&E is the embodiment of one man’s vision, particularly in terms of how guests should be treated. All four of their staterooms are on the upper deck—yes, upper deck. Two even have side doors to private deck areas. Lest there still be doubt as to how much the owner treasures his guests’ company: “E&E” refers to his grandkids.
3. Heesen Yachts’ Satori. We’re not along in our admiration: Satori (above) was given the coveted Prix du Design award from Prince Albert, making her the queen of the show. Satori is a sensory delight, with onyx surfaces backlit with LEDs (they even change colors), custom glass panels that slide around the front of the rounded dining room to lend privacy, palladium-leaf ceilings, and more. She exudes a sophisticated air.
4. Pendennis’ Hemisphere. The world’s largest sailing catamaran is going to change ideas on how spacious and comfortable a catamaran can be, without it getting excessively large. She’s “only” 145 feet (44 meters), yet has the volume of a far larger yacht. She also has a terrific main-deck layout, with the saloon, dining area, and helm all essentially part of one large conversation space. The idea is to keep the captain part of the owner’s close-knit family, and even more involved with charter guests. Not to be missed: The owner’s private alfresco seating area, just aft of the trampolines between the pontoons.
5. Rossi Navi’s Numptia. Numptia has many surprising—and welcome—takes on traditional interior layouts. Her main saloon is actually two saloons in one, with the first being formal and the second being casual. The first contains a baby grand piano, while the second contains a bar. It’s ideal for entertaining groups of any size. Another nice surprise: Every cabinet, whether a glassware stowage area or a guest locker, contains artwork (an old-world map, for example) as the back panel. Further surprising, and interesting: The hands-on owner spent a week a month at the shipyard personally overseeing construction.
6. Trinity Yachts’ Carpe Diem. She’s stylish and serene, thanks to white carpeting striking a strong contrast against Macassar ebony. (Clearly no dark beverages are allowed inside this yacht.) Carpe Diem makes you feel as if you’ve entered the most sophisticated club, an exclusive enclave. Helping set the scene are abundant black-and-white images of Marilyn Monroe. But the most effective use of photography is in the grand main entrance (above), a port-to-starboard foyer with four full-color images of the iconic star.
Victoria Allman
Thanks for the wrap-up for those of us who missed this years show!