Watch: A round-up of all the action from the Monaco Yacht Show 2021

As ever, the YachtCharterFleet team was on the ground in Monaco to tour this year’s superyacht showcase and bring you exclusive reporting live from the show.

How did the pandemic affect this year’s show?

The show’s organisers also made good on their promise to maintain strict Covid protocols throughout the show, including enforcing the wearing of masks, curtailing viewing numbers on yachts and routine vaccination checks. 

This year organisation was also paramount with everything needing to be pre-booked (even restaurants), which didn’t allow for much spontaneity although undoubtedly meant many were able to manage meetings and appointments with greater efficiency. 

After an enforced hiatus due to the pandemic in 2020, the annual event returned with aplomb, showcasing a brand new look.

The show was inaugurated with the 2021 Monaco Yacht Summit, which focused on yacht building, design, management, charter and purchase with an array of quality speakers attending the event which took place at the Yacht Club de Monaco on 21 September. 

Although the summit focused on advice for end-clients, the show has for many years advocated sustainability and is keen to promote this issue. MYS Managing Director, Gaelle Tallarida confirmed this in a recent interview, “the role of the yacht show is to increase awareness of sustainability, as well as emphasise efforts already being undertaken by the industry.” 

At the event

The weather conditions were actually favourable for most of the yacht show until the last day, when gathering grey storm clouds produced an uncomfortable chop outside the harbour making it challenging to access the 77 superyachts berthed out at anchor.

Heralding a bright blue sky, the show’s launch on 22 September was a more sedate affair with the show open to select badge holders and VIP guests only, marking a distinct step-change from previous years.

Standout yachts

We also had the privilege of being shown around the award-winning 80m/262ft Nobiskrug yacht ARTEFACT, and were blown away with her phenomenal features.

We also had a chance to catch up with SilverYachts’ 85m/279ft flagship expedition yacht BOLD again before she set off for more adventures across the globe.

Alongside these yachts, plenty of other vessels were turning show-goers’ heads, including the newly-launched 85m/279ft Turkish yacht VICTORIOUS and the award-winning 40m/131ft Baglietto yacht PANAM, who had already proved a big hit at the Cannes Yachting Festival earlier this month.

Berthed along the harbour wall, Lurssen’s spectacular 95m/312ft superyacht KISMET was on display in all her glory, showcasing her elongated bowsprit with the Owner’s trademark jaguar prowling on the tip, as well as her resplendent “champagne and caviar” Art Deco-inspired interiors. 

plenty of other vessels were turning show-goers’ heads, including the newly-launched 85m/279ft Turkish yacht VICTORIOUS and the newly-award-winning 40m/131ft Baglietto yacht PANAM.

As well as the yachts in show, the YachtCharterFleet team also headed out to get a better look at some of the yachts at anchor; including the impressive 90m/296ft Lurssen yacht PHOENIX II and the elegant 55m/180ft Baglietto yacht SEVERIN’S, who wowed us with her stunning interiors, state-of-the-art AV systems and standout amenities.

Along the boardwalks

As usual, top shipyards grabbed the opportunity to unveil new concepts at the show. We were impressed with the turnout and quality of some of this year’s stands, including Lurssen’s thought-provoking models and Oceanco’s “buildable” 90-meter hybrid yacht KAIROS. 

The all-new areas dedicated to innovation and design were equally impressive. These were, in essence, interactive hubs with yacht designers from the likes of Espen Øino, Sam Sorgiovanni and Winch Design showcasing their concepts with models and videos, alongside a panel of design experts ready to turn dreams into reality for motivated clients.

As usual, top shipyards grabbed the opportunity to unveil new concepts at the show.

The Tenders & Toys section was inevitably a big hitter again this year, with state-of-the-art gadgets and cutting-edge water accessories on hand for visitors to play with. This year’s standout toy had to be the personal submarine, which piqued visitors interest throughout the show. 

Indeed, explorer yacht U-BOAT NAVIGATOR, which boasts not just one but three personal submarines onboard, marked an industry first when her Owner signed a CA management agreement underwater with the CEO of Fraser Yachts, with two glasses of champagne to seal the deal! 

A greater emphasis on luxury

These sections have become a staple of the Monaco Yacht Show’s success over the years, putting everything a consumer might need all in one place. This year, with their new ‘client-focused’ format, there was even greater emphasis on cross-promotion with other luxury suppliers; from wine and tobacco to high-end watches and private jets, which all ties in with their ethos of producing a show dedicated to superyacht end-users. 

In summary

Based on 2021 intelligence data, the total asking price of yachts in attendance is $3.6 billion, which trumps 2019’s total of $2.5 billion, and marks the highest total to date. A truly remarkable end to an unprecedented year.