The pinnacle of the yachting calendar, Monaco Yacht Show is where the world’s most remarkable superyachts also typically make their debut. In the last week of September, Port Hercule empties of its usual residents and transforms into a showcase of innovation, craftsmanship and design. While head-turning giants such as the 351-ft Mar and the 296-ft Nero inevitably drew attention at the 2025 show, the true highlight was the diversity and quality of yachts on display.
Among the 115 boats exhibited, individuality stood out as a defining theme, with owners increasingly commissioning yachts that reflect their personality, lifestyle and multigenerational living – pets included. But not every vessel was fully custom, and semi-custom builds like Heesen’s Solemates also demonstrated the enduring appeal to yacht buyers of using a trusted platform from a series yacht.
From newly launched explorers with ocean-going capabilities to exquisitely refitted classics brimming with character and redolent with history, the 2025 line-up proved that excellence is measured not only in price, but in vision, artistry and attention to detail.
Mar
At 351 ft, Mar stole the show – not just for size, but for style. Sleek lines and sculpted curves disguise her 3,900GT volume, while soaring 8.8-ft ceilings and full-height windows flood her interiors with natural light. A heated 26-ft pool, hammam spa, cinema and beach club set the stage for indulgence, while a fleet of tenders and toys expands her horizons and the fun on board. With a 5,500-nm range, Mar delivers her 16 guests the opportunity for remote exploration, in, of course, top-of-the-line comfort.
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Nero
Striking Nero is a 296-ft modern classic which blends a heritage-inspired design with modern technology and contemporary luxury. Her commanding midnight-black hull, bright yellow funnels and clipper bow all pay homage to JP Morgan’s iconic Corsair IV, built by the financier in 1930. Originally delivered in 2008, her 2021 refit further elevated guests’ onboard life with the addition of a sun deck gym, beauty salon, resistance pool and expansive jacuzzi.
burgessyachts.com
Valor
As pets increasingly become integral family members who cannot be left on shore, yacht designs are also evolving to accommodate them. Feadship’s latest ice-class explorer, the 261-ft Valor, embodies this trend while fulfilling her owner’s vision of high-latitude adventures. Built for a repeat client, she combines polar ice capabilities with Feadship’s cutting-edge hybrid diesel-electric, solar, battery powered propulsion system, allowing extended zero-emission cruising. Thoughtfully designed for the owner’s canine companions, her spacious owner’s deck features a grass-filled relief station, ensuring that his dogs can also travel comfortably alongside their family on epic voyages.
Admiral Armani 72
The first of two custom Giorgio Armani-designed series from The Italian Sea Group, the 236-ft Admiral made its debut at the Monaco Yacht Show. Her bold geometric lines, flowing curves, satin-gold finish and flush decks are elevated by Armani’s unmistakable minimalist aesthetic, carried seamlessly from exterior to interior. Inside, the late designer’s refined style includes muted palettes, tactile textures and sculptural finishes. Built with an ice-class hull and 5,500-nm range, she pairs explorer capability with Italian glamour.
After You
One of two Damen Yachting vessels simultaneously delivered to the same American owner, the 197-ft Xplorer After You underscores Damen Yachting’s growing strength in the expedition and luxury yacht sector. Making her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show alongside her 174-ft support companion Emotional, After You is the inaugural build in the shipyard’s Xplorer 60 yacht series. Azure Yacht Design’s rugged exterior lines balance purpose with presence, while refined interiors by H2 Yacht Design ensure comfort matches capability. Designed for serious adventure yet equally at home in the Mediterranean, she embodies the versatility today’s owners demand. Emotional serves as her dedicated support vessel, primarily as a toy carrier, with extra space and staff accommodation in a more rugged and less refined package. The double delivery marks a landmark milestone for Damen Yachting, cementing its reputation for innovation.
twwyachts.com
Solemates
The 180.5-ft Solemates from Heesen is a masterclass in semi-custom design. Balancing the Dutch builder’s proven Fast Displacement Hull Form (FFDHF) with innovative layout solutions, her pillar-free aft superstructure allows uninterrupted ocean views, while expansive decks and light-filled lounges deliver seamless indoor-outdoor living. Interiors by Luca Dini Design and Architecture are vibrant, featuring six staterooms, including a full-beam owner’s apartment, perfectly suited for multigenerational cruising.
luxuryyachts.com
Katana
The 197-ft Katana marks a bold new chapter for Perini Navi under The Italian Sea Group’s ownership, becoming the first major sailing yacht delivered since ISG bought the shipyard out of Chapter 11. As the fourth hull in the 60-meter series, she benefits from a redesign in collaboration with Ron Holland, enhancing ease of handling and performance while honoring the pedigree of her predecessors. Interiors by Rémi Tessier combine elegance and comfort, reflecting a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic.
Marala
Every classic yacht tells a story, and few are as captivating as the Camper and Nicholsons yacht Marala. She is one of the rare survivors of her era, still in her original condition. Her decks have hosted both royalty and Hollywood icons, and she even played a role in the World War II effort. Meticulously restored over more than two years at Pendennis, Marala now sails as a living piece of history, ready for charterers to experience her legacy firsthand.
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