The Monaco Yacht Show is the most highly anticipated event of the Mediterranean season. But this year has generated even more excitement than usual. The world’s first fuel-cell superyacht – the 118.8-metre Breakthrough – will be in attendance, joining the coveted list of 100-metre-plus debuts that have graced Port Hercule over the years.
To honour this record-breaking edition, BOAT looks back at the Monaco Yacht Show’s largest ever attendees…
Golden Odyssey
123.2m
Which show?
2024
A last-minute entry, Golden Odyssey has edged out Kismet as the largest yacht to have ever attended the Monaco Yacht Show. She was delivered by Lürssen to Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia as a replacement for an 80-metre Blohm+Voss of the same name (now Grand Ocean). Her exterior is the work of Martin Francis while her “calm and sophisticated” interiors are by the late Alberto Pinto. Key numbers include an 18.8-metre beam, a range of 9,000 nautical miles and an impressive volume of 7,690GT.
Interior imagery has been undisclosed for nearly a decade, but Golden Odyssey is known to have a private owner’s deck with two master suites, a spa and wellness area, a private terrace with dining, lounging spaces and a Jacuzzi pool. Other highlights include a 42,000-litre swimming pool and accommodation for 30 guests and 70 crew.
Kismet
122m
Which show?
2024
Following close behind Golden Odyssey is another mighty Lürssen, the recently-delivered Kismet. An immense volume of 4,918GT houses a mosaic-line pool with a 40-tonne capacity, two spa pools, a certified helipad, fireplaces inside and out, a full-service spa, a lift and a gym. To say nothing of her intricate paint and marble detailing or the stainless-steel jaguar bow figure. It’s no wonder Pascale Reymond, co-founder of Reymond Langton studio, has billed her a “cathedral of design”.
Kismet also represents a first for the German shipyard with her underwater lounge and cinema, featuring extra-large windows (1.1 metres by 2.8 metres) that dip under the waterline. She is one of the world’s most expensive yachts for charter, asking €3,000,000 per week with Cecil Wright.
Ahpo
115.1m
Which show?
2022
Another Lürssen, Ahpo was named after a term of endearment meaning grandmother. And her design certainly centres around the family, including two identical bedrooms with different colour schemes, designed for the original owner’s twin girls. Wellness is another major focus, with a nature-themed spa, massage room, beauty salon and private owner’s gym outfitted in red-lacquer furniture and custom dumbbells.
Other highlights include a mosaic bathroom modelled after the work of Gustav Klimt, a 12-seat cinema and an aft deck winter garden. There are quarters for up to 53 crew, including two helicopter pilots.
Renaissance
111.9m
Renaissance was built by Spanish yard Freire and created by the legendary Jon Bannenberg, though for 40 years the design never left the drawing board. The owners turned to his son at Bannenberg & Rowell Design when it came time to build it and provided a long list of non-negotiables, including a large gym, high ceilings, lots of places to eat and a very large beach club. The brief was certainly fulfilled with a double-height formal dining room, a sushi bar and a deck entirely dedicated to wellness, including the aforementioned gym, a sauna, a ballet bar and a dedicated hair and beauty salon.
Accommodation is across 19 cabins, including an owner’s deck with a 60-square-metre suite, a media room and a lounge with bar and dining. A private terrace with sunloungers and a Jacuzzi for six can be found forward.
Alaiya
111.5m
Which show?
2019
Alaiya (then Tis) was styled inside and out by British studio Winch Design and was commissioned by a long-time (read: seven year) charter client of Moran Yacht & Ship. The superyacht houses two helicopter pads, a 12-metre swimming pool, a private owner’s deck and a “resort-inspired” spa across her 4,699GT interiors. Her tender garage can also accommodate two 13-metre tenders and a variety of water toys.
Accommodation is for 18 guests across nine cabins, with further quarters for 38 crew. Alaiya was sold following her appearance at the show and then underwent an extensive, seven-month refit with Blohm & Voss.
