Superyacht Central: 2014 Monaco Yacht Show

"The main reasons we attend so many yacht and charter shows each year is to keep pace with the latest trends in the luxury charter industry, to meet owners, captains, and to network with colleagues worldwide," explains founder and principal, Jeni Tidmarsh.

"We are fortunate that yacht shows are held at the most picturesque venues in the world, but we have an arduous itinerary and we are meticulous, meaning mostly work, not much play!"

This year, the Monaco Yacht Show showcased a record 115 superyachts on-water with an additional 510 related luxury lifestyle and marine companies in stands adjacent to the marina.

And while there was a slight decrease in visitor numbers (32 921 compared to 33 730 in 2013) organisers report "a far better quality as far as leads and sales, with many more owners and potential clients visiting this year".

The Luxury Charter Group was there in force, Sharon Bahmer from our USA office and Radek Gendek from our European office, and Jeni Tidmarsh from Head Office in Australia, and together inspected several standout superyachts which are currently available for charter.

Motor Yacht GRACE E from the Perini Navi Group is a streamlined 73m motoryacht with environmentally friendly systems and an entire deck devoted to health and pampering.

GRACE E provides a superb range of spa facilities on its "wellness deck" with massage room, steam sauna, gym, hydrotherapy bath, a cold dip bath and dry sauna. The aft sunbathing area provides an ideal yoga floor and includes Jacuzzi, sun pads, stylish loungers and circular bar.  Then there's a beauty salon on the upper deck and a 3.5m exercise pool, with variable currents depending on your workout mode!   GRACE E can cruise in ecologically vulnerable locations such as coral reefs and is a high-tech, low impact marvel that will deliver guests the luxury charter of a lifetime.

The 58-metre Benetti ILLUSION I was declared one of the stars of the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show, attracting attention and applause for its unique exterior design and spacious interior.  The four decked ILLUSION I accommodates 12 guests is absolute luxury, comprising an owner's suite with study, VIP suite and four lower-deck guest cabins.   There is a formal dining arrangement for 14 people on the upper deck and a table for 10 and on the main deck saloon which is bathed with natural light thanks to full-height windows throughout. Her bespoke interior features exotic materials such as travertine, onyx, Lalique crystal, several types of marble, parchment panels alternating with walnut, silks, ray skin, coco and mother-of-pearl.

As well as a large pool on the flybridge deck, ILLUSION I comes complete with a beach club that extends from the transom to make maximum use of this platform for relaxing, or enjoying the tender and various toys. ILLUSION I is a refined yacht with highly original décor, designed to deliver maximum comfort at sea, with record low levels of noise and vibration.

Luxury Charter Group is now taking bookings for ILLUSION I for charters in the Caribbean and Bahamas between December and March.

Motor Yacht MOGAMBO is another impeccable luxury superyacht that is a great choice the most discerning clients for your luxury charter vacation. Winner of the 2013 World Superyacht Awards in Best Motor Yacht over 1,300 GT, MOGAMBO is a custom-designed and built 73m motoyacht from German shipyard Nobiskrug.

With her sleek, sporty exterior, MOGAMBO accommodates up to 12 guests in six staterooms. She is also capable of carrying up to 19 crew onboard to cater to guests' every need.

Interiors blend classic styling with a contemporary edge, based on a warm palette of silver grey, honey, cream and wenge timber, illuminated by LED lighting on stairways and inset in ceilings, to create a warm, elegant ambience. Floor to ceiling windows allowing natural light to flow inside and offering wraparound views.

MOGAMBO boasts several al fresco dining and socialising areas, plus an array of leisure and entertainment facilities, making her the ideal charter yacht for large groups, families and corporate charters.

Onboard are a gym, sauna, swimming pool, beach club, swimming platform, steam room, massage room, Jacuzzi, WiFi and AC throughout. MOGAMBO is available for charter in the Mediterranean and Croatia in 2015.

We were fortunate to be hosted about the 47m MY BLUSH, the first of Sunseeker's composite-built 155 Yacht and the flagship of the Sunseeker fleet as the largest model the UK-based builder has launched to date. Built for former F1 team owner-turned-BBC F1 commentator, Eddie Jordan, the tri-deck yacht BLUSH has the 'wow factor', flamboyance and series of 'firsts' you would expect.

BLUSH has accommodation for 12 guests and 10 crew dedicated to delivering the pinnacle of service.

Aiming for a real connection with the sea, BLUSH boasts a spacious, full-beam master suite with its own permanent balcony. Two main deck VIP staterooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows, while on the upper deck large French windows from the upper saloon lead to twin fold-down terraces.  Interiors were designed by Sunseeker and consultant, Sallyanne Holmes using a pale palette of creams and silver offset by warm timbers.

BLUSH features Sunseeker's first superyacht-style beach club with a gym adjacent and garage replete with tender and jet skis and is available for charter in South of France and Italian Riviera and rest of Mediterranean.

In the brilliant deep water harbour of Port Hercule, visitors to this year Monaco Yacht Show were treated to a myriad of high-tech and breathtaking superyachts, both sailing and motoryachts, as well as new generation super tenders, submarines and much more.

And testament to the size of the Event, at anchor lay a spectacular fleet, among them, the highly awarded and ground-breaking MALTESE FALCON.

Next on the calendar this year for Luxury Charter Group is the Fort Lauderdale Show Oct 30 - Nov 3, the Tortola Charter Show November 5 - 8  in the British Virgin Islands, and then Antigua Charter Yacht Show,  December 5 - 11 (the largest show in the world dedicated solely to charter),  which will showcase the assortment of superyachts on offer in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Americas.

For information and itinerary advice, contact the experienced charter consultants at Luxury Charter Group.

Radek Gendek: European Office: [email protected]

Sharon Bahmer:  USA Office         [email protected]

Jeni Tidmarsh:  Head Office:         [email protected]