Monaco Yacht Show 2014

This year the world’s No. 1 showcase for superyachts afloat will be the best ever, with 115 spectacular yachts and about 30 luxury tenders and an extended exhibition that will host the most renowned and finest suppliers to the industry.

The extension reflects the increasing demand for exhibiting bigger yachts in the Port.

Last year’s event hinted at the beginnings of a recovery in the yachting market and it seems today that some yachting statistics are approaching pre-crisis figures, in terms of volume, with order books and the demand for finance on the increase.

During the last two or three years there has been a noticeable increase in the demand for vessels over 100m and from the 2014 event and into the future the Monaco Yacht Show will be able to berth these giants for all to see.

For all to see… and for just few that will be visiting the show a chance to buy them! This annual, one-of-a-kind event attracts billionaires from around the world, many that will be inconspicuously walking the docks as they catch up on the latest superyacht trends. This princely destination is a well known staple amongst Mediterranean cruising grounds and has long been the destination of choice for superyacht owners and guests, making Monaco a natural home for this unique event.

Amongst the 115 floating palaces from 25 to 100 m that will be exhibited at Monaco next September, around forty of them will be unveiled to the public for the first time. This is the annual event that the builders of the world’s largest yachts look forward to, it is their chance to showcase their finest luxury yachts.

A few outstanding superyachts that will be attending are Solandge, the 85m highly luxurious family orientated vessel delivered last October by Lürssen. She has been notably engineered for self-sufficiency during extended voyages on the high seas.

Monaco will be also hosting Como, a new 46m yacht by Feadship. With her modern bow and whaleback sheer, the exterior design of this new build reflects the owner’s specific ideas with large windows in the hull and glass in the superstructure that offers spectacular uninterrupted views from the owner’s stateroom.

Out of the four superyachts being displayed by the Admiral shipyard, the new 47m Entourage will be their largest.

But for pure yachting pleasure it is worth noting the elegant and distinguished sailing yachts that will be exhibited at the Show this year too: Wisp is the new 48m classic sloop by the Dutch shipyard, Royal Huisman, she is a fine example of revival naval architecture by Hoek Design. The owner’s brief was for a boat that would perform well without excessive heel, thus allowing comfortable cruising and at the same time a little ‘gentleman’s racing.’

These few examples of 2014 launches are typical of the ultra chic and sophisticated fleet of superyachts that will be unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show. For Gaëlle Tallarida, the show’s Managing Director the comparison of Monaco’s superyacht offering with Haute Couture collections is clearly obvious: “In superyachting, as well as in Haute Couture, everything is possible, harmonious and luxurious with only the best of the best materials being used. Designers enjoy saying that the only limit to creating a yacht is the limit of the owner’s imagination! Each yacht is made possible by the work of hundreds of specialised and passionate employees. By listening carefully to the expectations and requests of both market professionals and yacht owners the MYS strives to bring the two together in a befitting business ambience.”

Top-class services for high-end visitors

The MYS attracts industry leaders and a ultra wealthy clientele from around the world and offers top-class services to meet the demands of this elite clientele: VIP passes, luxury courtesy car services, helicopters and bus or boat shuttles.

In the heart of the show area, the Upper Deck Lounge is designed to be a place where businessmen can hold their meetings, or maybe invite their favorite clients to dine in the restaurant catered by Private Dining by Fairmont Monte-Carlo, or simply enjoy a glass of champagne by Taittinger in a luxurious setting designed by interior decorators Sabrina Monte-Carlo in collaboration with Italian designer Paola Lenti, the French crystal manufacturer Baccarat and the art gallery Opera Gallery. The Upper Deck Lounge also includes several reception areas reserved exclusively for the executives of exhibiting companies, areas where they can talk with their customers in confidence.

On display in the lounge will be the finest timekeepers manufactured by the Swiss luxury watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, official sponsor of the MYS for the 6th consecutive year.

Welcome to the captains and crews

New this 2014, the MYS will be hosting the superyacht captains and crews in an exclusive lounge for the four days of the show. Located in the show venue, beside the new Monaco Yacht Club, the MYS C&C Lounge will offer services of high quality: animations, a relaxation area with massages, this is a lounge area where captains and crew can meet up and chill out.

According to Gaëlle Tallarida, “offering a real lounge especially for crews has become essential and natural for us. We know a few crew facilities around the show already exist but our main concern was to really welcome those men and women who are the heart and soul of a yacht”. She also stresses out the importance of the captain and crewmembers on board a yacht:

“Their role is incommensurate: their relationships with the owner are unique and privileged, based on complete trust. How could it be otherwise with "men" who are entrusted the management of a floating palace that is worth several millions of Euros? The Monaco Yacht Show must be the celebration of the superyachting way of life, whether you are the owner or a crew member”.

And what makes Monaco also so special during the show is the hundred of social events organised by the exhibitors: press conferences, debates with the market leaders, and friendly happy hours at stands. Cocktail or evening parties on board the yachts, yacht awards or gala dinners in the luxury hotels in the Principality are also some of the many highlights that enable formal and informal networking and often attract those that can afford and do buy superyachts.

Commitments

If the Monaco Yacht Show has established itself as a major economic and media player for the Principality of Monaco, it also constitutes an important vector to support the environmental and medical actions of the country.

Supporting the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (since 2001) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (since 2010), the MYS intends to defend the ethical and human values shared by its Organisers and the Informa Group towards the superyachting community.

If the Monaco Yacht Show is committed to supporting environmental projects since 2005, the show naturally decided to get more involved in to actions led by the Principality and associated to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2010 with a new project: increasing the yachting community awareness of the deforestation issue. This is the Wood Forever Pact.

The donation given by the MYS Organisers to the Foundation at last year’s show is used to better educate those involved in the yachting that only wood certified as originating from sustainably managed forests should be used in construction, if deforestation is to be halted.

Besides, the Monaco Yacht Show supports the Monaco-based Charity Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM) since its creation in 2001. AMM was created by parents of children suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who decided to support progress on scientific and medical research.

Although research has progressed significantly over the last ten years, notably with the tremendous gains in genetic therapy and thanks to the efforts of charity organisations, there remains a lot to do in order to find a cure for these children. The Monaco Yacht Show supports the AMM by giving a financial donation every year.

Accomodation and travel information:

From this September 24 to 27, Monaco will be staging the world's leading superyacht event: the 24th Monaco Yacht Show. 34,000 participants from worldwide will be expected during the four days.

If you intend to attend the event, discover the accommodation and transport offers available and book your stay in Monaco for the MYS from now.

• Find a hotel in Monaco with the MYS special 4-night pack,
• Book your flight to reach Nice-Côte d'Azur International Airport,
• Book your car/bus shuttle from the airport to Monaco.

All hotels in Monaco are fully booked during the MYS week so we strongly advise you to book your accommodation from now in order to avoid any inconvenience in the forthcoming weeks.

These hotel and travel services are offered by Monaco Check-In agency, service partner of the Monaco Yacht Show.

Useful information:

24th Monaco Yacht Show

From Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 September 2014

Port Hercules, Boulevard Albert 1er – Principality of Monaco

Opening hours: from 10 am to 6.30 pm

Main entrance: Darse Sud. Other entrances: Quai Louis II and Parvis Piscine.

Public rates: € 150 / day (ticket to buy at the show). Professional visitors (luxury and yachting industries): € 500 / 4-day.

Read an opinion piece from Richard Donkin here.

And let the My Monte Carlo app take care of the basics during your stay!