The latest must-haves and must-dos for yachting aficionados.

NEOM & Dive Butler

Welcoming guests this year, NEOM’s Red Sea luxury island Sindalah continues to pull out all the stops, this time with the announcement of a collaboration with Dive Butler International. The premier aquatic and diving experience provider, Dive Butler is operating in a five-star PADI dive center to provide visitors with a truly luxurious Red Sea experience, above and below the waterline. In line with NEOM’s vision, sustainability is at the forefront of the operation, with electric and hybrid vessels using only environmentally friendly moorings and ecologically viable dive sites.

Dive Butler joins other leading luxury service providers, including IGY Marinas, the company that has been chosen by NEOM to help transform the coast into a significant luxury yachting destination with the build and management of the Sindala Marina. divebutlerinternational.com / neom.com

All Aboard for a Stylish Vacation

For anyone planning a cruise along the Italian Riviera in June, why not arrive in style aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Launching in June 2024, the world’s most iconic train will travel to the Ligurian coast for the very first time in its four-decade history, connecting the two iconic destinations of Paris and Portofino. This new, annual overnight journey will see the train winding through the French countryside and along the coastline of the Mediterranean Riviera, concluding in Portofino at the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel. Here guests can stay a couple of nights, enjoying a special culinary evening hosted by Jean Imbert, the legendary train’s renowned Michelin-starred chef, before embarking on a superyacht charter along the stunning Cinque Terre. The new, annual three-night Belmond experience runs from June 20 – 23. belmond.com

A Scene-Stealing Marina

Antibes, with its huge harbor, sits at the epicenter of yachting down on the French Riviera. As Europe’s largest marina, Port Vauban offers 1,500 berths and 18 superyacht berths up to 160 meters. The largest yachts sit alongside the Quai des Milliardaires. Having undergone an extensive transformation, the IYCA (International Yacht Club d’Antibes) building and the infrastructure of the quay have been updated to preserve Port Vauban as the yachting hub of the Mediterranean. Keeping its refined aesthetic appearance with distinctive and compelling architecture, architect Philippe Prost combines traditional heritage techniques with cutting-edge construction technology. The IYCA has been renovated and now boasts an engaging visual façade, while the infrastructure of the quay, including the decking, stairs and pontoons, have been made from environmentally-friendly Kebony Clear wood. Its elegant, knot-free appearance and silvery patina allow it to blend harmoniously into this prestigious setting, while its enhanced durability and minimal maintenance requirements – guaranteed for 30 years – mean it can withstand all the demands of an exposed marine environment. leportvauban.com

The Ultimate Nightcap

If you fancy a dram of fine and rare whiskey but are concerned about spillage, the clever people at The Glenrothes have the answer. Adding a whole new level of fun to raising a toast, Philos is the perfect addition to any superyacht liquor cabinet. The mechanical sculpture has been designed in artistic collaboration between The Glenrothes, Studio Indigo and Little Halstock, to house The Glenrothes’ Demijohn 1969 – one of the rarest aged single malt whiskeys in the world.

Presented in a spherical case that is set at a 23.5-degree angle – identical to the rotational axis of the Earth – the sphere is reminiscent of an ancient armillary sphere, hand-painted with blues and greens to evoke images of the surrounding ocean. A four-way gimbal securely houses the decanter containing the precious liquid, self-pouring an exact measure without spilling a drop and allowing the bottle to remain upright when cruising. It is unparalleled beauty and storytelling combined for the ultimate nightcap. theglenrothes.com

Sustainable Yacht Interiors

Proving that sustainability and luxury need not be mutually exclusive, Verge Yacht Design is making inroads into the environmental footprint of yacht interiors. Verge has positioned itself at the intersection of luxury, functional design, and innovation, making sustainable design its core value. Its growing portfolio highlights its unique approach to yacht interior design, balancing traditional quality and elegance with cutting-edge, sustainable materials that continue to emerge in the luxury design world.

From carbon-neutral decking to weight reduction for lowered emissions, these sustainable initiatives can be found throughout a Verge design project.  Materials such as linen, vegan (mushroom or aloe) leather, composite and renewable wood flooring, and other recycled or biodegradable products are widely used, with equal importance given to the durability, functionality, and superior luxury of these sustainable materials. Verge continues to show the yacht world that sustainable design can be achieved without compromising on the elevated aesthetics and quality that defines their designs. vergeyachtdesign.com