Field Notes from Monaco: Yachts, and What 2027 Looks Like

Alfa Nero — the Oceanco classic

Some yachts are famous for good reason. Alfa Nero, built by Oceanco, has one of the most recognisable sterns afloat: a pool at the aft deck that turns the back of the yacht into a private lagoon.

Seeing her up close is a reminder that great design lasts. The layout still feels generous, and the flow from the inside to the outside is exactly what large groups want on a summer charter.

What stayed with us most was her captain. He was genuine and openly enthusiastic about the yacht and about charter guests, and that kind of warmth sets the tone for the whole crew.

Inside, the main salon is designed by Alberto Pinto. At its heart stands a black-lacquered Pleyel grand piano, commissioned for the yacht and etched with the white wave pattern you see throughout her interiors. Guests who play are welcome to use it, and a pianist can be invited for a special evening.

Alfa Nero is available for charter in the Caribbean this winter season, from €875,000 / week + VAT + APA. She is also for sale.

Lürssen Coral Ocean — a refit done brilliantly

Coral Ocean, built by Lürssen, has had an amazing refit. Her layout is unconventional in the best way, and her interior is beautiful, fun and full of light — nothing like the heavy, dark style people often expect from a classic yacht.

She's a good example of why age alone tells you very little. How a yacht has been looked after, and how boldly she's been refreshed, matters far more.

At 73 metres, Coral Ocean was built by Lürssen in 1994 and refitted in 2026. She takes 12 guests in 6 cabins with a crew of 28, and has a hot tub and a gym on board. She charters in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter, including this winter, from €650,000 / week + VAT + APA.

Ask about the refit history and how long the crew have stayed. Those two answers tell you more than the build year.

Silver Yachts catamarans — built for range

SilverCat was the surprise of the show for us. She is a motor catamaran built for range and efficiency, with a wide, stable platform that makes life at anchor very easy.

Catamarans keep growing in popularity with families and first-time guests, and it's easy to see why: more deck space for the length, less rolling, and lower running costs.

Silver Yachts' catamarans are available to purchase. If you're thinking about owning one, we're happy to talk it through.

Benetti Enjoy — 37 metres that feel like 50

Enjoy was the clever layout of the show. At 37 metres she felt more like a 50-metre yacht inside, with volume and ceiling height you don't expect at this size.

What sets her apart for charter is that she has two master cabins instead of one. When two families or two couples charter together, nobody has to take the 'lesser' suite, and that makes the whole week easier.

We loved that one of the master cabins has its own large private deck balcony. It's ideal for privacy, a quiet coffee, or a morning of yoga or Pilates with the sea right beside you.

Enjoy is available for charter in the Mediterranean next summer, from €230,000 / week + VAT + APA.

Chartering with another family? Ask for yachts with two equal master cabins. It avoids the awkward conversation about who sleeps where.

Oceanco Leviathan — worth a mention

We didn't go aboard Leviathan, but she was impossible to miss from the pontoon. She's an Oceanco, and she shows the level of engineering and finish the Dutch yards are known for.

Yachts like her set the standard that the rest of the industry follows, even for guests chartering much smaller boats.

B-Craft — a Sunday afternoon to remember

We first met yacht designer Joris Van Aelst a few years ago in the Netherlands, when he was working on a project for one of our clients. When we heard he had started his own brand, B-Craft, we were keen to see what he had created.

It has it all: bespoke craftsmanship, Dutch quality, sportiness and luxury, with the thoughtful details and surprises you'd expect in the superyacht world. Like the Akoya pearl it's named after, each one can be tailored to its owner.

A relaxing Sunday afternoon onboard was the perfect way to end the show. It reminded us what yachting is really about: smiles on people's faces, and the passionate people who make it happen. Thank you, Joris and the B-Craft team. They're well worth discovering.

Discover B-Craft →

2027 trend: off the beaten track

The most common request we heard in Monaco was for somewhere quieter. Guests who have already done the classic Riviera or Amalfi summer are asking for places with fewer yachts in the anchorage.

That means Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, Raja Ampat and other high-latitude and remote cruising grounds. The yachts that can go further, and the crews who know those waters, will be in demand.

2027 trend: later, faster bookings

More and more charters are booked at short notice, sometimes just weeks before departure. Guests want flexibility, and good yachts do open up when plans change.

Last-minute can work well if you're flexible on the yacht or the destination. If your dates are fixed around school holidays or a celebration, still book early: the best yachts for July and August go first.

If you're open on dates, tell us. Flexibility is how late bookings end up with the best value.

2027 trend: Scandinavia is growing

Norway, the Swedish archipelago and the Baltic came up again and again. Long summer light, calm fjords, empty anchorages and outstanding food are drawing guests who once went only to the Mediterranean.

We've spent a lot of time in these waters and see this as one of the most exciting growth areas for charter. Space on the right yachts is limited, so it's worth planning a Scandinavian summer early.

2027 trend: wellness on board

Wellness is one of the fastest-growing requests we hear. More guests plan a charter around how they want to feel, not only where they want to go: morning yoga on the foredeck, Pilates before breakfast, a swim before coffee, and proper sleep.

Yachts are responding. Gyms and workout spaces are now a priority in new builds and refits rather than an afterthought, and more yacht chefs are culinary-trained with a real focus on nutrition — menus built around what makes you feel good, not only what looks impressive on the plate.

In Monaco we met Anahí of Alma by Anahí, who teaches dance, Pilates, yoga and mindful movement. People like her are part of why wellness weeks feel personal rather than packaged.

If this appeals to you, we can invite Anahí, or other professionals like her, to join your charter — leading morning sessions on deck and shaping the week around how you want to feel. Tell us, and we'll match the right yacht with the right person.

Discover Alma by Anahí →