Onboard with Marcela Newsletter - Summer Edition
Published on August 14, 2026
First of all... welcome back!
Marcela de Kern Royer in a Yacht Club de Monaco cap on the side deck of a superyacht at sea
To everyone reading this, thank you for being part of this wonderful community. Between my LinkedIn subscribers and all of you who have signed up through my website, our community has now grown to well over 40,000 people reading this newsletter- wow! I am seriously incredibly grateful to have you all on board!
Many of you have asked when the next newsletter would arrive, and I'm sorry it's taken me a little longer than usual.
As many of you know, I recently welcomed a new baby girl into the family, moved to Dubai, and have been working on several exciting confidential projects that I'm unfortunately not able to talk about... at least not yet! Let's just say life has been wonderfully busy.
Thank you for your patience, your continued support, and for all the messages asking when I'd be back.
So, without further ado... here is your Summer Edition of the Onboard with Marcela Newsletter, bringing you the biggest stories shaping the superyacht industry, my thoughts on what they really mean, and the key events you won't want to miss.
Welcome onboard.
In this Newsletter:
Life Update
Yachting calendar - Dates you need to save
Yachting news with POV
Special announcements
Monaco Yacht Show
Dubai Boat Show
Closing remarks
Life Update
Hello. Hola. Bonjour, from Dubai!
While I do appreciate everyone's concern about the US-Iran war and the many messages asking, "Marcela, are you safe in Dubai?" let me tell you that I honestly feel safer here than almost anywhere else in the world.
I am originally from Guatemala, and my family still lives there. Sadly, the probability of being killed there is much higher than here. I have lived most of my life between the USA and Europe, and at this stage of my life, I honestly do not want to live on either continent.
My husband is German, and there has been so much terrorism this year alone in Germany. Friends and family vacationing in the South of France keep telling me how dangerous it has become to rent a villa in Saint-Tropez, with people being mugged and having their Rolex watches stolen.
And let's not even talk about the chaotic situation Spain is currently facing. London and Paris are the same, so yes, considering today's global socioeconomic climate, I feel very happy and very safe in Dubai.
Now, moving on to the yachting news... wow!
This month has been one of the hottest months of the year, with some truly eyebrow-raising news, mamma mia!
Before we dive into the news, take out your pens and pencil down these important dates. (Yes, only cool people still write things down)
Save these dates in your calendar
We all know that in yachting, nothing really happens in August... (apart from my birthday on the 21st! 🥳)
Everyone is on holiday, business slows down, and inboxes go quiet.
Then September arrives... and suddenly everyone is running around like headless chickens.
The stress doesn't double—it triples!
Yachting Calendar
September begins with the Cannes Yachting Festival from 8-13 September. Although it is an important event in yachting, the show is bigger than in Monaco, but the yachts are smaller than MYS and that's where you differentiate the "boating industry" from 'the superyacht industry '" I personally won't be attending Cannes this year (and have no FOMO about it), but I'll see you all in Monaco.
The Yachting Masterclass at La Belle Classe Academy, Yacht Club de Monaco, starts on 16 September.
Graduates of the 2025 Yachting Masterclass at La Belle Classe Academy, Yacht Club de Monaco
Reserve your seat and join us online from anywhere in the world. Learn from leading industry experts and earn a certified diploma from IAMI and LBCA at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Then I have a little secret to share on 21 September 🤫 Stay tuned and,
I am incredibly excited to announce that Yacht Deals Monaco will officially premiere on 30 September on Disney+.
Poster for Yacht Deals Monaco, the Disney+ series about Monaco yacht brokers, premiering 30 September
I participated as a superyacht consultant and educator, helping train the brokers featured in what is the first television series ever made about yacht brokers in Monaco. I honestly cannot wait for you to see it.
Some people have seen this poster and asked me, "is it AI?" haha
No, guys, this is real; you can check the official Disney Press release :)
Monaco Yacht Show
From 23-26 September, we have the Monaco Yacht Show, the biggest event in the superyacht industry.
At popular demand, here are the best restaurants to go to during the Monaco Yacht Show
Helicopter transfer discount
Greenbees Helico helicopter on a transfer between Nice Airport and Monaco
As part of our wonderful community, I'm delighted to share that I've secured a 10% discount for anyone wishing to take a helicopter transfer from Nice Airport to Monaco or Cannes with the code #OWM26 in their request to booking@greenbeeshelico.com - link here
This is thanks to Lea Tintaud, who is a member of our women in yachting community; she is a kick-ass yacht charter broker and helicopter pilot!
Superyacht Lounge at the Monaco Yacht show
Industry guests at the Superyacht Lounge hosted by Onboard Monaco at the Monaco Yacht Show
This year, Onboard Monaco will once again host the Superyacht Lounge, where we'll be organising networking tables, podcast interviews, and private meetings.
Instead of wandering around the show hoping to "bump into the perfect client" or randomly meet the right people, join our lounge and maximise your return on investment.
If you would like your brand or team represented, please get in touch.
Women in Yachting Community
Guests at the 2025 Women in Yachting Lunch hosted by Marcela de Kern Royer in Monaco
I will also be hosting our annual Women in Yachting Lunch, celebrating and supporting the incredible initiatives of WIY.
Sponsorship opportunities are available if you would like to support this wonderful movement while connecting with some of the industry's most influential women.
Contact us directly if you want to participate.
Les Voiles De St Trop
Then. we finish the September calendar with Les voiles de St Tropez, one of my favourite events! I get to truly enjoy la dolce vita!
Once Sept is finished, everyone working in yachting probably needs another holiday and definitely a liver detox!
YACHTING GOSSIP*
We had some quite juicy stories this month, mamma mia!
You probably already know about them, so I am not here to re-tell the news but rather share my own POV and open a conversation with you to hear your thoughts.
Disclaimer:
*Dear yachting-know-it-all-online police, guys, I call it gossip but it's just news, chill and calm down ok? its just more fun to read.
Apparently, this section of my newsletter triggers some people "Marcela, why are you spreading gossip?" ok calm down. I always share the official reference; it is not me making it up.
MY Nixie
By now, most people in the yachting industry have heard about the lawsuit involving Revolut founder Nik Storonsky and a claimed €17.5 million brokerage commission.
But beyond the headlines, this case raises a much bigger question: What is a yacht broker really being paid for?
Is a simple introduction enough to justify a multi-million-euro commission? Or should a broker only be rewarded if they create genuine value throughout the entire transaction—from identifying opportunities and negotiating the deal to managing due diligence and successfully bringing the sale to completion?
I always say the wealthiest people I know are also the cheapest I've met lol
Billionaires are often known for one thing: they don't become wealthy by overpaying. They negotiate relentlessly, question every cost, and look for ways to reduce expenses wherever possible. So it's not surprising that disputes like this arise when millions are at stake.
Why do you think Nik Storonsky believes the commission is not justified?
On the other hand, as a marketing expert. in yachting, I think this is Cecil Wright's best moment ever, cause now the whole world knows their name! You know what they say, "bad PR is good PR"... (or is it?)
Let me know your comments.
So much for confidentiality and privacy huh..?
One irony I find fascinating is that our industry is built around discretion; everything is hush hush..
Rule No. 1 is to protect the identity of the yacht owner. In our world, confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of the industry. Yet, the moment a dispute reaches the courts, that privacy can disappear overnight, with owners' names suddenly making headlines around the world!
Italian SeaGroup
One of the biggest stories shaking the superyacht industry this month is the situation surrounding The Italian Sea Group (owner of yacht brands: Admiral, Tecnomar, Perini Navi and Picchiotti)
First came the resignation of founder and CEO Giovanni Costantino, followed by the resignation of the board as the company entered a major financial restructuring. The group has been facing mounting financial pressure, contract disputes, project cost overruns, and the fallout from the tragic sinking of the sailing yacht Bayesian, in which owner Mike Lynch lost his life.
The story took an even more controversial turn when the shipyard decided to pursue legal action against Lynch's widow and other parties and filed a €456 million lawsuit against alleging defamation and claiming that the reputational damage following the tragedy resulted in cancelled orders and significant financial losses.
Shortly afterwards, headlines suggested that The Italian Sea Group was for sale and everyone got nervous, but.. That isn't entirely accurate.
What is actually being proposed is the sale of the company's operating business and shipyard operations through a court-supervised restructuring process—not simply the sale of its yacht brands.
Here is where it gets interesting: it is a consortium, backed by their direct competitor Sanlorenzo!
Sanlorenzo would act as a minority investor alongside other industry players and suppliers and has submitted an offer to acquire the operating business in an effort to preserve jobs, the shipyards and the Italian supply chain. (The proposal is still subject to due diligence and a competitive sale process)
Why does this matter?
This is much more than a corporate transaction.
Thousands of jobs and a significant part of Italy's superyacht supply chain are at stake.
Owners with yachts currently under construction are also facing uncertainty over delivery timelines.
Keep an eye on this story because if the transaction proceeds, it could reshape the competitive landscape of the global superyacht industry!
Marine Max
Another story that has the entire industry talking is MarineMax.
MarineMax has spent years quietly building one of the largest marine empires in the world. Through a series of acquisitions, the company now owns Fraser Yachts, Northrop & Johnson, IGY Marinas, dozens of boat dealerships, yacht service companies and one of the world's largest marina networks.
Now the company itself has become the target.
After months of pressure from activist investors, reports indicate that MarineMax has launched a formal sale process, attracting interest from several major financial investors, including Blackstone, Donerail and Centerbridge, all of whom are reportedly among the final bidders. MarineMax has never publicly confirmed the sale process, but multiple sources report that a competitive bidding process is now well underway.
Why is everyone nervous?
Because no one knows what the future owner will decide to keep... and what they may decide to sell.
Could Fraser and Northrop & Johnson remain together? Could IGY Marinas eventually be separated? Will the strategy remain the same, or will one of the biggest players in our industry be completely restructured?
At this stage, nobody knows.
One thing is certain: whenever ownership changes at this scale, leadership, priorities and investment strategies usually change as well.
The decisions made over the coming months could influence brokerage, yacht management, marinas and customer experience across the entire superyacht industry.
This is definitely one story I'll be watching very closely.
France planning to ban yachts over 50m
Have you heard that France may ban yachts over 50 metres from operating in parts of the South of France?
If these proposals move forward, they could have significant implications for owners, charter activity and the wider superyacht ecosystem. Supporters argue the measures are necessary for environmental reasons.
Critics, however, believe France risks discouraging the very high-net-worth visitors whose spending supports countless local businesses, shipyards, marinas, restaurants, hotels and seasonal jobs along the Riviera.
Some in the industry question whether the country is prioritising mass low level tourism while making life increasingly difficult for the luxury visitors who have long been part of the region's economy.
So I'm curious… what do you think? If these measures become reality, how should the superyacht industry prepare?
Will owners simply move their yachts elsewhere, or will France find a way to balance environmental ambitions with its position as one of the world's premier yachting destinations? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Viral on social media
Another story that has been making waves across social media is billionaire Yusaku Maezawa's spectacular 114-metre Lürssen superyacht, Nausicaä.
The yacht's enormous satellite radar domes have gone viral after photos emerged of crew members cleaning them, giving a surreal sense of their sheer scale.
The images have fascinated both yachting enthusiasts and the general public, reminding us just how extraordinary these floating masterpieces really are.
Follow @onboard.mc on Instagram for viral yachting stories!
THE yacht handbag
Finally, I am incredibly excited to launch the Monaco Yacht Handbag.
The Monaco Yacht Handbag, a hand-painted canvas top-handle bag featuring a superyacht
The perfect accessory for the Boat show season ahead!
Instead of carrying yet another tote bag full of brochures, why not carry a bespoke handbag featuring your favourite yacht?
Whether you are a shipyard, yacht designer, charter broker, stewardess, yacht owner, or simply passionate about beautiful yachts, you can now have your own personalised handbag, individually hand-painted by an incredibly talented artist here in Dubai.
Quiet luxury, made personal.
Personalise it with your favourite yacht
A Monaco Yacht Handbag personalised with the owner's own yacht, hand-painted by an artist in Dubai
Create social media content during MYS
Onboard Studios videographers in Superyacht Film Crew T-shirts filming superyachts in Port Hercule, Monaco
Our Onboard Studios team will also be attending. If you need UGC videos, social media content, photography, videography, influencer collaborations, or branded content during the show, now is the perfect time to book your slot.
I have a large audience, and people constantly ask me:
"Can you promote my brand?" "Can you help me find clients?"
The answer is simple. If I genuinely believe in your company and believe it adds value to the industry, I will happily create authentic content and share it with my audience.
The era of press conferences is over.
The social media era is the future of yachting.
People buy from people they know, like, and trust. Invest properly in your marketing, and let my team help you communicate your message to the right superyacht audience.
Learn about influencer marketing in the superyacht industry.
Dubai Boatshow
After the Mediterranean season comes to an end, we move to the Middle East, where I look forward to seeing many of you at the Dubai International Boat Show from 25-29 November.
I think that's enough exciting news for one month!
I'm incredibly excited about everything that lies ahead and wish you all a wonderful summer holiday.
Ok now, Ciao- bye!
Thank you once again for being part of this wonderful superyacht community.
One of the things I enjoy most is sharing industry insights and stories that go beyond the headlines.
My goal has never been to simply repeat the news, but to share my perspective, ask the questions that matter, and provide insights you won't easily find elsewhere.
Thank you for your trust, your support, and for being part of this journey with me. It truly means the world.
Whether you're looking to learn more about the superyacht industry, grow your career, develop your business, or simply stay connected with what's happening in our world,
I'm always here for you.
Until next time...
Safe winds.
Welcome Onboard.
Onboard with Marcela 🤍🛥️