Each June, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity transforms the Croisette into a high-stakes meeting point for the global advertising, media, and technology industries. For one intense week, the world’s most influential brands, agencies, and innovators descend on Cannes — and while the Palais remains the official hub, much of the real business unfolds just offshore.
Along the famous Vieux Port, yachts line the quay in what has become an extension of the festival itself. Here, deals are made over espresso, partnerships are formed at sunset, and brands host clients in an environment that is both private and highly visible. A yacht during Cannes Lions is not simply a luxury — it is a strategic platform.
For those considering this approach, our full guide to Cannes Lions yacht charter explores the process in detail.
Why Yachts Define Cannes Lions
The appeal is straightforward. A yacht offers something no hotel suite or beach club can replicate: control.
During Cannes Lions, yachts are typically used as static venues, berthed for the duration of the week. This allows them to function as fully serviced hospitality spaces — hosting everything from breakfast panels and private meetings to cocktail receptions and evening events.
There is also the matter of proximity. Yachts positioned close to the Palais benefit from constant foot traffic, making them ideal for brands looking to maximise both visibility and accessibility. At the same time, they provide a degree of separation from the crowds — a place to step back, reset, and host on your own terms.
The Process: Chartering a Yacht for Cannes Lions
Chartering a yacht for Cannes Lions is less about leisure and more about execution. It begins with defining how you intend to use the space: guest numbers, event formats, daily schedules, and overall objectives.
From there, the process moves quickly. Securing the right yacht is only part of the equation — equally important is obtaining a berth in the port, particularly in prime locations. This is typically handled in coordination with brokers and port authorities well in advance of the festival.
Once confirmed, attention turns to the onboard experience. Catering, staffing, branding, AV production, and guest flow all need to be considered. By the time the festival begins, the yacht should operate as a seamless extension of your brand — a space that feels effortless, even if a great deal of planning sits behind it.
The Best Yachts for Cannes Lions Charters
ANTISAN — Effortless Entertaining at Scale (100 Guests)
At approximately 33 metres, ANTISAN strikes a compelling balance between manageable scale and serious hosting capability. She is large enough to feel substantial on the quay, yet flexible enough to adapt to the varied rhythm of Cannes Lions — from early-morning coffees through to high-energy evening receptions.
Her Cannes Lions weekly rate is €80,000 plus taxes and expenses, positioning her as one of the more accessible entry points into top-tier yacht hosting without compromising on quality or presence. Unusually, ANTISAN also offers day charters for up to 40 guests from €12,000 per day plus taxes and expenses, making her a particularly versatile option for brands not requiring a full-week commitment.
What sets ANTISAN apart is usability. The deck configuration allows for smooth guest flow, with distinct zones that can be activated independently or together. For companies running multiple touchpoints across the week, that flexibility is invaluable.
Explore more about the ANTISAN yacht charter here.
FIORENTE — Intimate, Polished, and Highly Functional (80 Guests)
Measuring around 37 metres, FIORENTE occupies a sweet spot for brands seeking a slightly more refined, intimate environment without sacrificing capacity. Hosting up to 80 guests quayside, she lends herself naturally to curated gatherings and senior-level entertaining.
Her Cannes Lions weekly rate is €88,000 plus taxes and expenses, placing her just above entry level and firmly within the “considered choice” bracket — ideal for companies prioritising atmosphere and guest experience over sheer scale.
There’s a quiet confidence to FIORENTE. The layout encourages conversation, the spaces feel cohesive, and the overall tone is one of understated elegance. During Cannes Lions, that often proves more effective than overt spectacle, particularly for daytime hosting and structured meetings.
Discover the full details of the FIORENTE yacht charter here.
IMPERIAL PRINCESS BEATRICE — A Proven Cannes Platform (100 Guests)
At 40 metres, IMPERIAL PRINCESS BEATRICE delivers the kind of scale and presence that has made her a long-standing fixture during Cannes Lions. She sits comfortably among the larger event yachts, offering expansive deck space and a layout designed to accommodate high guest turnover without losing its sense of structure.
Her Cannes Lions weekly rate is €160,000 plus taxes and expenses, positioning her as a flagship option for brands looking to establish a strong, visible base on the water.
What distinguishes her is reliability. This is a yacht that understands the demands of the festival — tight schedules, varied guest profiles, and the need for seamless execution. Whether hosting a 100-guest reception or a sequence of smaller activations, she performs with consistency.
View the IMPERIAL PRINCESS BEATRICE yacht charter page here.
O’LION — High-Energy Hosting with Real Presence (100 Guests)
Also measuring around 40 metres, O’LION operates in the same upper-tier bracket as IMPERIAL PRINCESS BEATRICE, but with a subtly different personality. Where some yachts lean towards formality, O’LION embraces a more dynamic, social atmosphere.
Her Cannes Lions weekly rate is €160,000 plus taxes and expenses, reflecting her positioning as a premium platform for brands aiming to generate energy and visibility throughout the week.
The layout is geared towards interaction. Open deck spaces, strong sightlines, and natural gathering points make her particularly effective for receptions, launches, and evening events where momentum matters. For brands that want to create a buzz — not just host — O’LION delivers.
Take a closer look at the O’LION yacht charter here.
ROCKET ONE — A Standout Platform for Premium Cannes Hosting (50 Guests)
At 37 metres, ROCKET ONE sits firmly within the upper tier of Cannes Lions event yachts, offering a strong on-the-water presence combined with a refined, contemporary feel. While her guest capacity is set at 50 for events in the Port of Cannes, the experience she delivers is anything but limited — instead, it is focused, elevated, and highly effective.
Her Cannes Lions weekly rate is €210,000 plus taxes and expenses, placing her among the more premium options available during the festival. This reflects not only the yacht’s design and condition, but also the calibre of experience she is able to deliver for brands operating at the top end of the market.
ROCKET ONE lends itself particularly well to structured hosting. The proportions of the yacht allow for clear zoning across decks, making it easy to manage guest flow, create distinct atmospheres, and maintain a sense of exclusivity without sacrificing energy. Whether used for curated daytime programming or polished evening receptions, she provides a controlled, high-quality environment that supports meaningful engagement.
Rather than competing on volume, ROCKET ONE excels in delivering a sharper, more intentional guest experience — something that is increasingly valued during Cannes Lions, where the quality of interaction often matters more than scale alone.
Explore the ROCKET ONE yacht charter in more detail here.
Choosing the Right Yacht
Selecting the right yacht for Cannes Lions ultimately comes down to three key factors.
First, guest numbers. Capacity limits within the port are strictly enforced, so aligning your yacht with your expected attendance is essential.
Second, type of hosting. A busy schedule of back-to-back events requires a different layout and operational approach compared to a more relaxed, meeting-focused presence.
Third, positioning. Some yachts are designed for scale and visibility, others for intimacy and control. Understanding how you want your brand to be experienced will guide the decision.
Of course, navigating these choices — alongside berth availability, timing, and logistics — is where experience becomes invaluable. At Bespoke Yacht Charter, charter broker Rachel Coles has arranged over 75 yacht charters for Cannes Lions, giving her an unusually deep understanding of both the fleet and the nuances of the event.
That level of experience makes a tangible difference. Matching a client to the right yacht is not simply about size or price — it’s about understanding how each vessel performs during the festival, how spaces flow in practice, and how to align that with a brand’s objectives for the week. With the right guidance, the process becomes not only smoother, but significantly more effective in the end result.
Final Thoughts
At Cannes Lions, presence matters — but how you host matters more.
A well-chosen yacht becomes more than a venue. It becomes a backdrop for conversation, a stage for your brand, and a space where meaningful connections are made away from the noise of the Croisette.
Whether it’s the versatility of ANTISAN, the refined atmosphere of FIORENTE, the proven scale of IMPERIAL PRINCESS BEATRICE, the energy of O’LION, or the exclusivity of ROCKET ONE, each of these yachts offers a distinct way to experience the festival.
Because in Cannes, the most valuable moments rarely happen on schedule — and the right yacht ensures you’re perfectly placed when they do.
For more than 20 years, Bespoke Yacht Charter have been quietly shaping some of the most seamless and memorable yacht charters on the Côte d’Azur. With over 200 successful Cannes event yacht charters behind us, our approach remains simple: personal, precise, and entirely hands-on.
During the most important events in Cannes—whether you’re planning Cannes Lions yacht charters or hosting clients on a MIPIM yacht charter—we understand that every detail matters. From the energy of a yacht charter at Cannes Film Festival to TFWA yacht rentals, yachts at Datacloud Global Congress Cannes, and ILTM yacht charters, each event brings its own rhythm, and we tailor every experience accordingly.
From sourcing the right yacht to curating every last detail on board, we’re there on the ground, ensuring everything unfolds exactly as it should.
No templates. No shortcuts. Just considered, experienced guidance from first conversation to final departure.
If you’re planning to host, entertain, or simply experience Cannes from a different perspective, we’d be delighted to help you do it properly.
