Monaco Yacht Show 2026 offered a close look at how yacht design and engineering are changing life on board. Larger beach clubs, more flexible layouts and advances in propulsion are influencing how guests use a yacht, particularly on charter.
The 35th edition took place from 23 to 26 September at Port Hercule. Ahead of the show, organisers announced a fleet of around 120 superyachts, including 43 new deliveries for 2026.
At Aberton Yachts, our sales specialists focused on yachts for purchase, while our charter team looked closely at the charter fleet. We visited a selection of yachts ranging from around 37 to 102 metres, assessing how their spaces and facilities could suit different guests.
Our attention extended to the crew, the atmosphere on board and the organisation of service. We also considered cabin arrangements, privacy between guest and crew areas, and the growing role of the beach club as a place to spend much of the day.
More usable space for guests. As yachts grow in size, an important question is how that additional volume is used. The most relevant improvements for charter guests are often found in shared spaces, private areas and the routes between them.
Diesel-electric and hybrid propulsion. These systems give designers more flexibility in positioning machinery and can support quieter operation.
Beach clubs designed for longer stays. Swimming, exercise, wellness and relaxed dining are increasingly brought together at water level, making the beach club a central part of life on board.
Greater attention to energy management. Battery storage and integrated power systems help manage the changing demands of propulsion, air conditioning and other onboard services.
Yachting reaching a wider audience. The Disney+ series Yacht Deals Monaco, released on 30 September, introduces the business of buying, selling and chartering yachts through a competition between aspiring yacht brokers.
Sanlorenzo’s 74Steel Silver Fox brings several of these developments together. Her diesel-electric system uses generators to supply electricity to the propulsion motors, supported by a battery bank. This arrangement allows greater flexibility in the placement of machinery and helps create more space for guests.
That approach is particularly evident in the beach club and wellness area, which extends to almost 290 square metres with the fold-down terraces deployed. The space combines direct access to the sea with facilities for exercise and relaxation.
For a charter broker, these features are only part of the assessment. During our visit, we paid particular attention to how the crew welcomed us, explained the yacht’s facilities and described the activities they organise on board.
Chilled towels and water were offered on arrival. The welcome was thoughtful, and the crew spoke confidently about the yacht and its activities. This gave us a clearer sense of how they introduce guests to the possibilities of a charter.
The dining spaces also caught our attention. A carefully laid table showed care in presentation, while the outdoor grill offered a setting for more informal meals on deck.
These observations help us understand how the yacht’s facilities may translate into a guest’s holiday. They also help us consider whether its atmosphere and use of space match what a particular group wants from a charter.
Delivered by Benetti in 2026, the approximately 37-metre ENJOY accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins, with a crew of seven.
Her practical layout stood out during our visit. Generous shared spaces allow a group to spend time together, while separate areas offer privacy when guests want to follow different routines.
For families with children or groups travelling across generations, that balance can be particularly valuable. Our impression was of a yacht whose layout could make everyday life on charter feel straightforward and relaxed.
The 102.4-metre Lürssen NIXIE made her global debut at Monaco Yacht Show 2026. Designed inside and out by RWD, she combines substantial volumes with a fluid, understated exterior profile.
A semi-suspended glass swimming pool sits above an extensive area at water level. Four sea terraces and an opening transom help create around 270 square metres of combined waterside living space, including the beach club and wellness areas. Lürssen describes the beach club as one of the largest it has built.
NIXIE also uses diesel-electric propulsion supported by an advanced energy-storage system, designed for efficient operation across different cruising profiles. She is available for charter through Edmiston.
Although Silver Fox and NIXIE differ greatly in scale, both show how engineering and layout can support a closer connection to the sea and a more comfortable daily routine on board.
Photographs, plans and technical specifications are essential when comparing charter yachts. A visit adds another layer of understanding.
We can see how rooms connect, how private areas are separated from shared spaces and how easily guests might move through the yacht. Meeting the crew also helps us understand their approach to hospitality and the activities available on board.
These visits inform the recommendations we make to clients. They help us look beyond a list of facilities and consider how a yacht could suit the people who will spend their holiday there.
Article author: Marina Schizas
