Following her launch in mid-January, the 62m/203ft CRN superyacht RIO has successfully completed her first sea trial.

During the sea trials, CRN engineers and technicians worked in tandem with external specialists to verify her performance and engineering standards of excellence.

Motor yacht RIO sports an athletic exterior with a plumb bow and flowing lines from tip to stern. An immaculate white hull and superstructure are contrasted by dark bands of windows and ‘cut-out’ sections aft, creating her characteristic appearance. The naval architecture and exterior styling are from Omega Architects, while Pulina Exclusive Interiors completed the work within. Twin Caterpillar 3512C engines grant her a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots.

The accommodation sleeps up to 12 guests over 6 en-suite cabins: 1 Owner’s suite, 2 VIP staterooms and 3 further guest cabins.

Sea trials will continue ahead of her delivery, and she will be available for Western Mediterranean charters this summer 2022.

The 47m Admiral luxury yacht STAR DIAMOND is taking bookings for Bahamas charters. Built in 1998 and refitted in 2018, she has classic surroundings that provide 20th Century opulence with all the modern conveniences. The refined main salon is ready to receive guests for a special occasion, and the formal dining area is separate for an intimate meal between the group.

The skylounge on the upper deck has a more modern appearance where guests can spend the afternoons chatting or unwinding in the evenings with a film after dark.

Feel the breeze and revel in the sunshine on the sundeck, where there is an abundance of sunbeds and a raised Jacuzzi to enjoy the views after a barbeque grilled lunch and cocktails from the wet bar. The upper deck aft has two large dining tables and plenty of seating for hosting large groups, and a wall-mounted widescreen TV lets guests keep up with the latest sports or use the space as an alfresco cinema.

The brilliant blue waters of the Bahamas have mesmerised visitors form the world over, who come to recharge on the pristine white sand beaches to be found from Grand Bahama down to the Inagua Islands. Favourite yachting spots include Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island, Eleuthera, the Exumas and Long Island.

Luxury yacht STAR DIAMOND can cruise far and wide using her range of 3,000 nautical miles, and her selection of water toys will provide hours of entertainment for the whole group. The collection includes:

2 x Yamaha Waverunners
2 x Seadoo GTI jet skis
3 x Stand-up paddleboards (1 x rigid, 2 x inflatable)
1 x Hobie paddle bike
1 x wake board
a kneeboard
water skis
fishing gear
snorkelling equipment, and
inflatable and towable toys

There is also a beach setup and 4 x folding bicycles for the group to explore the island trails and townships with ease. The newly converted gym in the tender garage also provides another way to keep fit without setting foot into the water.

There is room onboard for up to 12 guests while cruising, and the overnight accommodation sleeps a maximum of 10 guests in 5 en-suite cabins: 1 full-beam Master suite on the main deck, 2 double cabins, 1 twin cabin, and 1 double cabin convertible to twins. The experienced crew of 9 will see to all requests throughout the cruise.

View more of luxury yacht STAR DIAMOND.

Dutch shipyard Heesen has presented luxury yacht PROJECT SERENA at the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), where the combination of sturdy construction and high attention to detail in both the engineering, decor and amenities onboard have made this 55m Steel class model an exceptional choice for the show’s local and international clientele.

Motor yacht PROJECT SERENA has an outward appearance that blends the best of classic elements with dynamic modern lines. She features exterior styling from Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, while the interiors are by Luca Dini Design and Architecture.

The accommodation layout is designed for up to 12 guests across six en-suite staterooms, however, the 760 GT interior leaves room for plenty of customisations for a future Owner, including the possibility of a staff cabin, or a gym within the beach club.

Twin MTU 8V 4000 M63 (IMO Tier III) engines will ensure that she can cruise far and wide with a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 13 knots, with a top speed of 15.5 knots using her Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF).

PROJECT SERENA is currently being constructed under speculation at the Heesen shipyard and will be ready for delivery in November 2024.

South African shipyard Southern Wind has announced the launch of its fifth SW105 hull, luxury sailing yacht SØRVIND, from its facilities in Cape Town.

The blue water sailing yacht is a collaboration between the shipyard, Nauta Design and Farr Yacht Design to produce a high-performance vessel capable of competing in regattas.

The Owner’s brief was to design a vessel that proved a pleasure to sail, capable and reliable without compromising on comfort. The result is an optimised version of the SW105 model that will have appeal when she enters the luxury yacht charter market with her sporty exterior appearance provided by a modified coachroof and angular geometry.

The carbon hull, Flexiteek deck and bulkheads are designed to save on weight, creating a 69,500 kg vessel capable of sailing in light wind conditions to reduce the dependency on engine power. The raised saloon configuration is shared with previous sisterships WOLFHOUND and KIBOKO TRES, and all have a light-filled interior as a result.

The tender garage can hold amongst her large collection of water toys a 4.3m/14ft tender, sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and wind foils in addition to a pair of road bikes.

The guest accommodation sleeps up to 8 guests in 4 en-suite cabins: 1 forward Master suite and 3 further guest cabins, situated amidships. The aft crew cabins can accommodate up to six people over three cabins.

The interiors will be styled with ‘Nordic cool’ in mind by Nauta design, winner of Best Sailing yacht Interior 2018 for sailing yacht SEATIUS. Jeroen Machielsen from the Dutch Studio Hermanides will assist with the decor.

S/Y SØRVIND will now undergo sea trials ahead of her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean before she becomes available for charter.

Following a 2-year absence due to the global pandemic, the Dubai International Boat Show was a welcome return to the city, where the latest luxury yachts, gadgets and fashions were on display for the five-day event.

The 28th edition of the event was organised by Dubai World Trading Centre and took place for the first time at the brand new marina at Dubai Harbour, now the largest marina in the Middle East with over 700 berths – some able to host mega yachts up to 160m/525ft in length. The luxury yachts at ‘Superyacht Avenue’ took centre stage, 

Amongst the world-renowned names showcasing their craft was the Ferretti Group displaying the Riva 100 model by Riva, the Navetta 30m from Custom Line and the 8X and 9X from Pershing.

Sanlorenzo put in a spectacular appearance debuting the compact 26.7m/87.7ft-long SX88 model in the region, and Oceanco displayed its latest 90m/295ft concept superyacht KAIROS.

Local shipbuilder Gulf Craft delivered luxury charter yacht ISLA – a Majesty 100 model – only earlier this year and had on display its Majesty 120 model.

Other highly regarded brands included Lürssen, Benetti SPA, Azimut, Sunreef and Princess Yachts, offering the choicest selection of luxury yachts and shipbuilders in the region.

DIBS 2022 ran from the 9th to the 13th of March, and future editions are sure to make use of the Dubai Harbour to host ever bigger and more spectacular events.

The impressive 62m/203ft luxury yacht RIO delivered in 2022 is now available for Mediterranean yacht charters in favourite destinations such as the French Riviera, Italy or Croatia.

The interiors by Pulina-DNA are bright and filled with light, using contemporary colours and natural textures to make a harmonious and minimalist environment. The main salon is a social hub, offering a wet bar and dining options as well as a sumptuous seating area to take the weight off your feet after a day walking around Marseilles or the island of Capri.

The Owner’s deck has another spacious salon/sky lounge separated into a forward cinema section and asymmetrical setting behind where plush sofa lines both walls. Bespoke artwork enhances every room, and the windows are almost floor-to-ceiling in height for great views of the anchorage.

The outdoor areas ensure that there are plenty of opportunities to relax to the backdrop of sprawling cities or scenic coastal hideaways: The sheltered main deck aft is furnished as a lounge, while the upper deck aft has alfresco dining areas, plenty of seating along the stern and a large sunbathing area forward complete with a Jacuzzi.

A second Jacuzzi can be found on the bridge deck aft, accompanied by a bar and casual seating to converse and admire the Amalfi Coast.

The variety of water toys on offer is superb, and the collection includes:

1 x e-surf
2 x e-foils (1 x adult and 1 x child sizes)
2 x Seadoo Spark jet skis
4 x Seabobs
1 x wakeboard
a water slide
water skis
snorkelling equipment, and
inflatable and towable toys

There are also two electric scooters and two GO electric bicycles to get around town with ease.

The accommodation sleeps a total of 12 guests over 6 en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite, 2 VIP staterooms, 2 double cabins and 1 twin cabin. Throughout the cruise, all guests will be taken care of by the professional crew of 15.

View more of luxury yacht RIO and don’t delay with your summer Western Mediterranean charter.

ISA Yachts, part of Palumbo Superyachts, has announced that the new 80m/262ft luxury yacht PROJECT AMARCORD designed by Nuvolari Lenard is now in-build on speculation.

Nuvolari Lenard will create the exterior styling for the project drawing on the strength and beauty of previous hulls from the Italian brand to create another strong and unique character that still fits in perfectly with the rest of the ISA Yachts ‘family’.

Superyacht PROJECT AMARCORD will make use of half a century’s expertise gained by Palumbo to create an innovative vessel of substance as well as style. With construction already underway, M/Y PROJECT AMARCORD is guaranteed for delivery in 2025.

The 109m Oceanco mega yacht project 720 hit water! The exciting news comes from Oceanco’s facility in Alblasserdam where she was outfitted, following her initial building stages at the adjunct facility in Zwijndrecht. The yacht boasts imposing exterior looks and bespoke interior design by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, in collaboration with the Owner and Owner’s design consultant, Molly Isaksen Interiors.

Some of the main characteristics include the vast use of glass, especially on the main, bridge and upper decks, which are completely surrounded by huge glass windows.

In addition to the beautiful design, she has been engineered with the latest in technology and advanced environmental systems that not only meet but also exceed the existing regulations. Her naval architecture was done by Lateral Naval Architects. With her impressive length of 109m or 357feet, she has a large beam of 16m or 52 feet. Her cruising speed is at 20 knots.

Rossinavi superyacht ASLEC 4 will be available in the Western Mediterranean luxury yacht charter grounds this summer, and her dedicated crew is ready to turn a special occasion or intimate family gathering into a cherished lifetime memory.

The bright interiors are surrounded by warm cream panelling complemented by matching furnishings and bright white lighting concealed in the ceiling and within the steps of the stairway, creating an atmospheric environment that becomes even more alluring after sundown. The inviting main salon and sky lounge both have bars for a variety of spirits and soft drinks while entertaining or winding down with a film from the exhaustive Kaleidescape library. 

Savour every moment of the summer sunshine when you live life outdoors: There are lounges and alfresco dining areas across the decks, including a Teppanyaki bar. Lie on the spacious swim platform beside turquoise waters in the Calanques National Park, and watch the sunset from the sundeck Jacuzzi or the sunbeds on the Portuguese deck.

The selection of water toys is varied, and while visiting the gorgeous coves of Corsica and Sardinia or the pristine marine parks around the Balearic Islands, guests have use of:

2 x jet skis
2 x Seabobs
1 x jet surf
4 x kayaks
wakeboards
water skis
fishing gear and
snorkelling equipment

The accommodation sleeps up to 11 guests in 5 en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite, 2 double cabins and 2 twin cabins, one of which has a Pullman berth. Throughout the cruise, all guests will be taken care of by the professional crew of 9.

View more of superyacht ASLEC 4 from Rossinavi.

A negative PCR test is no longer required to enter the Maldives by flight or luxury charter yacht. Instead, visitors must have received at least two doses of an approved vaccine, administered at least two weeks prior to arrival.

The vaccines must meet the approval of the Maldives Food & Drug Authority or the World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

Booster doses are not required to meet eligibility for this exemption.

Children above one year of age who are not eligible for vaccination, and adults who have not received two approved doses are still required to present a negative PCR test upon arrival in the Maldives, and the test cannot be taken more than 96 hours prior to departure from the first port of embarkation.

The Maldives will be celebrating 50 years of tourism in 2022: Since starting off as a one-resort destination, the region has expanded to almost 200 resorts across 24 natural atolls.

For adventure without limits, a luxury yacht charter aboard shallow drafted vessels such as motor yacht SAFIRA is still the best way to go: A professional chef will see to all meals while you sunbathe or try out the selection of cocktails while soaking in the Jacuzzi. 

SAFIRA has accommodation for up to 30 guests and specialises in Scuba diving and fishing in the region’s famous locations and best kept secrets.

There are smaller luxury catamarans available which are perfect for family groups to spend quality time together visiting white-sand beaches, colourful reefs and the unique history and culture of the Maldives.

Learn more about the Maldives charter grounds and view more Maldives luxury charter yachts.