The past 12 months have been a busy time for the superyacht industry as new models, increased customisation and broad innovations in technology and environmental preservation create new and exciting options for engineers, Owners and charter guests to explore. As 2018 enters its final days, it’s time to look back at the year’s launches and celebrate the successes that can be found cruising from the Caribbean and Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. Below are our favourite luxury charter yacht launches from 2018…

Luxury mega yacht PLANET NINE

PLANET NINE

2018 saw its fair share of expedition yacht launches, yet 73.2m/240ft PLANET NINE set the standard as one of the first into the water at the start of the year.

A helideck will ensure that guests can come and go at leisure close to port, and in the remotest locations, the group has the opportunity to see the extensive surroundings from an entirely different view. In warmer destinations, there is a fully-stocked selection of water toys to satisfy adrenaline lovers as well as leisure seekers, while in colder climes the group can settle into the main salon which doubles as an extensive library and soak up an afternoon in a good book. Massage services, a well-equipped gym, steam room, a Jacuzzi, cinema and observation lounge ensure that the 12 guests always have something to do and someplace to be.

51m superyacht IRISHA

IRISHA

In a rapid departure from established Heesen style, 51m/167ft IRISHA was a welcome addition to the Dutch shipyard’s prestigious range which complemented rather than replaced current and classic models. The sleek styling is reminiscent of open yachts and the yard’s attention to detail is put to work in the cutting edge onboard systems, second to none when it comes to quality. Among the sophisticated interior and exterior styling from British design studio, Harrison Eidsgaard is a private office, a formal dining room to seat up to 22, beach club sauna and massage facilities, a sky lounge cinema and a sundeck wet bar and hot tub that gives plenty of opportunity for the Owner to mix business with pleasure.

50m motor sailer yacht MEIRA

MEIRA

Motor-sail superyacht MEIRA is part of a growing trend combining the benefits seen almost exclusively on motor yachts with the more ecological (and economical) power of sails. On board, there is a massage room, sauna, a Jacuzzi on deck and an abundance of indoor and outdoor lounges for the group to spend time alone on personal pursuits or rest and recuperation following a large and glamorous party on board this 50m/164ft vessel.

LADY M motor yacht

LADY M

Sunseeker has been expanding into ever larger luxury yachts, and M/Y LADY M is the latest in the popular 40-metre Sunseeker 131 range. Known for its fast and lavish superyachts that often feature in James Bond films, the British shipyard has retained its elegant contemporary styling and taken advantage of her greater size to add more water toys, larger en-suite cabins and even more dining and entertainment options.

VISTA BLUE motor yacht

VISTA BLUE

This 38.4m/126ft superyacht has a fondness for blue lighting – both on deck and below the water. While this is a captivating design feature that aptly suits her name, it is her exhaustive selection of water toys and brilliant convertible spaces that entice you to stay on board: Floor-to-ceiling windows, glass sliding doors and a glass front to the beach club ensure that guests are always in connection with the surroundings, whatever the activity.

SEAREX motor yacht

SEAREX

Wood as a hull material is often associated with sailing yachts, typically from the beginning of the 20th Century, however, it is seeing a resurgence in motor yachts with 38m/125ft SEAREX being a prominent example. Based in the Maldives, innovative technological solutions have been applied to reduce her fuel consumption by 98% and a special sewage treatment system allows treated water to be released overboard. 

Her sumptuous on board areas includes a massage room, Jacuzzi, private office and top quality AV systems in the main salon. In addition, she sleeps up to 16 guests over eight cabins, making her an ideal choice.

ONEWORLD superyacht

ONEWORLD

Motor yacht ONE WORLD is one of the newest options cruising the Australian charter grounds, offering groups the chance to visit Sydney, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. The comfortable on board accommodation sleeps 12 guests over five cabins, and in addition to the main salon guests have a choice of the cosy raised pilothouse and alfresco dining, lounging an sunbathing spaces on the main deck aft, flybridge and sun-drenched foredeck.

Benetti Motor Yacht URIAMIR – Photo credit Benetti Yachts

URIAMIR

Benetti has always built to delight and inspire, with many of its models going on to become charter yachts, and 29m/95ft URIAMIR might be one if its smaller builds in recent years but by no means skimps on everyday pleasures: The on board chef can make a myriad of tantalising creations which the group can wear off later on the water toys, while sofa/sunbeds wet bars and a foredeck Jacuzzi will leave the group wanting for nothing in their lifestyle while on the move.

Sanlorenzo Yacht Sistership PAUSE OF LONDON

PAUSE OF LONDON

This elegant home away from home will have guests enjoying the high life with close-knit family and friends. Sizeable windows in the salons, bedrooms and even the bathrooms flood every corner with natural light while reducing the barriers between the interior and the location. The calm natural colour scheme on board also conceals a range of technological innovations that allow for a cruising speed of 17 knots and effortless on board relaxation.

Yacht Lemon Not Lime

LEMON NOT LIME

Luxury yacht LEMON NOT LIME is compact at 24.7m/81ft, however, her layout is designed to convert to what guestsdesire in their environment, and everyone in a group of eight will be satisfied with the size of her en-suite guest cabins. No space is wasted outside either, with access to the sunpad-covered bow as well as a flybridge furnished with sun loungers, an alfresco dining area, separate lounge and a wet bar beneath the retractable hardtop.

Double Down catamaran yacht

DOUBLE DOWN

Lagoon is known mainly for building sailing catamarans with 12 models available versus only two for motor catamarans, and M/Y DOUBLE DOWN is the first of the flagship SEVENTY 8 model. This excellent example of a motor catamaran boasts a shallow draft of the only 2m/6.6ft and a beam of 10m/33ft, which is put to use creating a massive foredeck entertaining area.

A side-terrace off the Master suite and three other extensive guest cabins allow guests to spend the time on personal pursuits on their holiday as well as socialising in the bright and airy lounge or the just as enticing sheltered main deck cockpit.

December Six superyacht

DECEMBER SIX

From Ferretti Group comes custom motor yacht DECEMBER SIX, designed to entertain adults and children alike in her beautiful interiors with top quality AV systems and a massive supply of motorised, inflatable and towable water toys. With status as an Approved RYA Water Sports Centre, she is a perfect choice for adventurers who want to leave their holidays with a new skill under their belt.