They say hosting an event aboard a yacht at the Monaco Grand Prix or Cannes Film Festival requires a level of planning on par with a 250-guest, black-tie affair on Oscars night in Hollywood: You need at least a year to organize, extra security deposits will be required, and the canapés had better be Michelin-star mouthwatering, because Steven Spielberg just might show up.
In the case of a film fest or Grand Prix charter, there’s also the matter of snagging one of the limited number of prominent slips in the harbor, as well as a yacht to put in that slip — one rated to take all the guests you hope to welcome at the quay. The biggest superyachts that can pull off the best parties book fast, especially those set up with multiple outdoor entertaining spaces or onboard discos. Some clients who’ve done Monaco and Cannes in the past book for the events more than a year in advance, allowing plenty of time to snag each location’s best catering firms, chauffeurs and other staff.
The Monaco and Cannes events are the annual kickoff to the summer charter season in the Mediterranean, a finale-caliber, star-studded scene, but at the beginning of a monthslong show. The time to book yours is now, if you want next year’s party to be the kind they make movies about.