A Breakthrough Year: The Biggest Yacht Charter Stories That Defined 2025

As anticipation builds for what 2026 holds in store, YachtCharterFleet takes an in-depth look at the past year, with the highs, lows, and finally-it-happened moments.

The Bahamas Beckon As Scene Is Set For 2025

Kicking off the year with an enticing display of Bahamas and Exumas yacht charters, the Bahamas Charter Yacht Show launched the year in style, with January 2025 witnessing a broad range of new, refitted, and seasoned charter yachts around the marinas of Atlantis and beyond. 

Giving clear indications of what was to come this year, 196.1ft (60m) superyacht charter O'MADELEINE, unveiled her first renderings as she prepared to join the global yacht charter fleet, and 203.5ft (62m) luxury yacht rental RIO headed straight for the sun on her inaugural season, with charter guests enjoying the Bahamian archipelagos onboard the incredibly elegant CRN yacht charter. 

Also in January 2025, 113’ 5” (34.6m) charter yacht A SALT WEAPON became the first Ocean Alexander Puro charter yacht.

STARFIRE's Jaw-dropping Refit

A transformative refit that deserves a headline of its own, February 2025 witnessed the unveiling of quite simply one of the most extraordinary refits that's been seen for some time. Going into works as SAINT NICHOLAS and emerging as the attention-grabbing 230.4ft (70.2m) superyacht charter STARFIRE, the refurbishment of the nearly 20-year-old superyacht has had the industry talking right through the year. 

Also in February 2025, the Miami International Boat Show opened its doors to a streamlined fleet, whereas charter yacht KISMET and the eye-catching 154.2ft (47m) luxury yacht charter KING BENJI came away with awards at the BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards. 

BOLD Triumphs And The Ocean Gets Revved Up

An exciting month after years of delays and additional work, March 2025 finally saw some movement for 195m (640ft) expedition yacht charter REV OCEAN who made her way from the VARD Søviknes shipyard in Norway for outfitting. 

Ready to shake things up at the top of the table, REV OCEAN is set to dominate the rankings of the world's largest motor yacht charters on her delivery, whereas 279.10ft (85.3m) charter yacht BOLD took the crown at the last moment this month as the largest attending charter yacht at the Palm Beach International Boat Show.

Also in March 2025, 164.1ft (50m) superyacht charter LUMIERE, previously known as LEGASEA, changed ownership, and the captivating 295.7ft (90.1m) superyacht charter NERO was announced as one of the largest yachts to attend the forthcoming celebratory edition of the MYBA Charter Show.

Milestone Charter Shows And A First For Sanlorenzo

April 2025 saw a lot of buzz around industry charter shows as the 21st East Med Multihull & Yacht Charter Show opened its doors in Poros, and the esteemed MYBA Charter Show marked its milestone 35th edition at its new home in Portosole Marina.

Bringing East Mediterranean yacht charters to the forefront, YachtCharterFleet took a closer look at the evolution of the MYBA Charter Show over the past 10 years, and the fleet of Sanlorenzo charter yachts made the headlines with the first Sanlorenzo SD132 yacht for charter hitting the market, in the form of 133.6ft (40.7m) superyacht rental ANDIAMO. 

Also in April 2025, YachtCharterFleet delved deeper into why the timing has never been better to charter a yacht.

Grand Prix Fever Hits With Superyacht Charters Striking Gold

The streets of Monaco roared with life in May 2025 as the Monaco Grand Prix took over Monte Carlo and Port Hercule. Attracting a gleaming fleet of charter yachts, this year's event didn't fail to disappoint, and in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival, proved that South of France yacht charters are really the place to be in spring.

As if the atmosphere around the stands wasn't enough, luxury yacht rentals showed how it was done at the World Superyacht Awards, with multiple yacht rentals including 196.10ft (60m) charter yacht ALFA G, 186ft (56.69m) luxury yacht charter SANTOSHA, 162ft (49.38m) luxury yacht rental ASTERIA, and several more lifting their trophies. 

Also in May 2025, Egypt officially opened its territorial waters to foreign-flagged, commercially registered yachts for leisure cruising.

Marital Bliss And FLYING FOX Pulls Off Secretive Deal

June 2025 saw the wedding of the decade as Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot in Venice. Accompanied by a fleet of Italy yacht charters, including luxury yacht rental KISMET and 197ft (60m) charter yacht ARIENCE, the marital proceedings were by far the social event of the year.

Elsewhere, 446.2ft (136m) superyacht charter FLYING FOX made a sly move, as foxes do, with an off-market sale to a buyer based in the United Arab Emirates. Long known as one of the world's largest and most expensive yachts for charter, this sale is one of a few off-market deals that indicated a growing trend this year.

Also in June 2025, 196.9ft (60m) (196.9ft) superyacht rental MEMORIES was delivered to her owner as she joined the charter market, and Greece yacht charters undertook the second Cyclades Cup.

Legal Policies And Laws Shuffle The Future Of Yacht Charters

A month of change for Bahamas yacht charters, July 2025 gained foresight into the future of Bahamas and North America yacht charters with comprehensive maritime regulation updates that may not necessarily work in favor of those who enjoy visiting the Bahamian archipelagos in the Caribbean winter season.

On the flip side, North America and USA yacht charter clients potentially look to benefit from updates with greater availability in US waters, plus more luxury yacht charter options to choose from.

Also in July 2025; Portosole Marina was announced as the home for the MYBA Charter Show until at least 2028, and 172.3ft (52.5m) luxury yacht rental LIMERENCE officially joined the fleet of Caribbean and Central America yacht charters.

A Summer Of Monumental Launches

A month that pulled out all the stops for superyachts, August 2025 not only witnessed the launch of 374.8ft (114.2m) superyacht NAUSICAÄ at the Lurssen Rendsburg Shipyard, but also the 364.2ft (111m) luxury yacht LEVIATHAN. 

Making a statement as the largest Oceanco superyacht to emerge from the facilities and owned by Gabe Newell, who also happens to be the new owner of Oceanco, LEVIATHAN is not currently available for charter; however, she comfortably landed mid-table in the YachtBuyer YB100 listing of the world's biggest yachts.

Also in August 2025; 257.4ft (78.43m) superyacht charter AMARYLLIS reopened her books for indulgent West Mediterranean yacht charters after a successful sale, and YachtCharterFleet explored the concept of how a Greek yacht charter could add years to your life.

Major Breakthrough In The History Of Brokerage

A defining moment in more ways than one, September 2025 witnessed the most expensive brokerage deal to ever be completed, as 389.9ft (118.8m) luxury yacht charter BREAKTHROUGH was seen cruising into international waters at the time of the Cannes Yachting Festival. 

With previous ties to Bill Gates, charter yacht BREAKTHROUGH made a significant dent in the movement towards a greener yachting industry as the world's first hydrogen fuel-cell powered superyacht. 

Also in September 2025, 344.6ft (105m) sailing yacht charter BLACK PEARL caused great excitement during her appearance at anchor during the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival, and 351.1ft (107m) superyacht charter MAR wore the crown as the largest attending yacht at the Monaco Yacht Show. 

KISMET Answers London's Calling

An exciting month for charter routes in England, as the iconic 400ft (122m) superyacht charter KISMET returned for the second year in a row to anchor by the famous landmark of Tower Bridge in London.

Smashing records in 2024 as the largest superyacht to visit the English capital in over a decade, October 2025 saw one of the world's largest yachts for charter adorn the Thames for a week, while over in Anguilla, significant progress was announced on the progress of Port Nimara, with phase one scheduled to welcome Anguilla yacht charters in early 2027.

Also in October 2025, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show closed a successful edition, albeit with mixed views around the pontoons, as 213.3ft (65m) charter yacht ETERNITY starred as the largest attending yacht rental.

Cannes Expands As The Great Migration And Antigua Clash

November 2025 had it all going on with yachting events, with announcements coming through for developments in Cannes. Embarking on a landmark €82 million project, the future of Cannes and French Riviera yacht charters looks to be stronger than ever, with Vieux Port (home of the Cannes Yachting Festival) paving the way for larger superyachts to enjoy the Cote d'Azur hotspot.

The great migration also picked up the pace, with many motor and sailing yacht charters making their transatlantic crossing; however, the original lineup of attending yachts for the Antigua Charter Yacht Show ultimately faced multiple changes as several big names didn't make it in time. 

Also in November 2025; 216.6ft (65.99m) charter yacht LASATA, previously known as ALCHEMY, completed an off-market sale, and 181.1ft (55.2m) luxury yacht rental RAJA² unveiled her first piece of video footage.

History Defining Moment For YachtBuyer Industry

Ending the year with a bang, esteemed yachting platform YachtBuyer hit the headlines with force as they announced their inaugural inductees to the Hall of Fame. 

Setting the benchmark for recognizing excellence in the industry, the 5 Star Trophy and the YachtBuyer Hall of Fame have raised the bar for commendations in yachting design, with a completely independent process of reviews and testing completed by YachtBuyer Reviews Director Jack Haines. 

Also in December 2025, another milestone was completed in the movement for eco-friendly yachting, as 374.8ft (114.2m) superyacht NAUSICAÄ, formerly known as Project COSMOS, took her sea trials as the first fuel-cell yacht for Lurssen.

As YachtCharterFleet reflects on an exciting year of news in the yacht rental industry, the books are already open for luxurious 2026 yacht charters in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and beyond.

To start the new year in style, contact your preferred yacht charter broker today for up-to-date availability, special offers, and information surrounding yacht charter costs.

Alternatively, for even more inspiration for chartering in 2026, browse over 4,000 luxury yacht charters on YachtCharterFleet, the biggest curated collection of yacht rentals.