On Tuesday the 10th September, despite torrential rain, the Cannes Yachting Festival 2019 opened its doors to a host of yacht enthusiasts and seasoned industry professionals undeterred about the unfavorable weather.
With its array of opulent motor yachts, exquisitely crafted sailboats and fun tenders, not to mention a luxury gallery dedicated to glamorous lifestyle and a host of eagerly-awaited events, Cannes is always the pinnacle of the yachting calendar. But despite over 51,000 visitors, we know that not everyone who wanted to attend this year could. That’s why we have collated all the very best bits, so you can feel like you were right there living the high life. Enjoy…
Here’s what you missed at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2019
Dedicated sailing area and floating Champagne bar in Port Canto
2019 saw an exciting change to the traditional layout of the Cannes Yachting Festival (CYF), now in its 42nd year. Port Canto became a celebration of everything monohull and multihull, showcasing over a hundred sailing yachts and making it much easier for sailing enthusiasts to pick out their dream vessels – in previous years both motor and sailing yachts had been spread across the Vieux Port, with Port Canto dedicated to only brokerage yachts. We asked some of the exhibitors how they felt about the change and they gave an overwhelmingly positive response, citing an expanded display area for shipyards and a much more lively feel for those browsing. CYF’s aim was to give sailing boats the space they deserve, and with over 400 linear meters of quayside for monohulls and over 450 m for multihulls, we can definitely say they succeeded!
There were also a number of stunning brokerage boats – our favorite was M/Y PLAYPEN, a 43m ultra-glamorous superyacht designed by Richmond Yachts and on sale for a cool $13,900,000 USD by dynamic brokerage Worth Avenue Yachts. M/Y PLAYPEN dazzled us with her sleek, mahogany interiors and spacious lounging areas out on deck, with her Jacuzzi providing the perfect place to relax after a long day’s exploration. Plus, hosting 12 guests in 6 cabins and up to 8 expert crew, she ensures your every need is looked after.
After exploring the full range of boats, we headed over to Port Canto’s new floating penthouse, a fabulous addition to the show and the chosen location for the CYF VIP Club & Champagne bar. Thanks to show partner Rev House Sea for this brilliant creation – we sipped our Champagne in style.
Prestigious shipyards and stunning superyachts at the Vieux Port
Meanwhile, the Vieux Port held an incredible selection of yachts stretching all the way from 10m to 55m – we loved wandering through the Superyacht Extension, one of the seven areas of this port, and taking in all the exquisite vessels. We were privileged to witness the worldwide debuts of many beautiful new boats, including the 24m 80 Sunreef Power, a state-of-the-art universal multihull which takes luxury and seaworthiness to a new dimension. We fell in love with this sunny, light-filled vessel, combining striking minimalist design with real home comforts, and offering a massive garage perfect for storing a range of exhilarating water toys.
Elegance and opulence at the Luxury Gallery
Taking a little break to explore the lifestyle that goes hand-in-hand with yachting, we strolled over to the Luxury Gallery. The Cannes Yacht Show 2019 certainly didn’t skimp on exquisite, high-end products, offering everything from jewelry and fashion to spirits and art. We particularly enjoyed the fragrant perfumes of Acqua dell Elba, crafted to capture the essence of the sea, and the stunning glassware of Cristal de Sèvres, just the kind of thing you can imagine quaffing a freshly-prepared cocktail out of on an indulgent Monaco yacht charter. Retail therapy at its very best.
So there we have it – the best of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2019. We hope to see you there next year…
