Top 5 Yachts at CROYA 2025
by Mike Piper on Nov 28, 2025
The Croya Yacht Show delivered everything I love about a great boat show: the hum of dock talk, the glint of polished teak, and that irresistible mix of innovation and tradition that defines yachting on the Adriatic. I spent the day stepping on and off gangways, chatting with crews, and imagining the kind of trips each yacht would inspire. These five stood out—not just for their looks, but for the feeling they gave me the moment I set foot on board.
#1 Carmen
Carmen won me over with pure, effortless hospitality. From the moment you step aboard, the flow is all about connection—sunny aft lounge for late breakfasts, an easy indoor-outdoor bar setup for long, chatty evenings, and a main salon that soaks up natural light. Details felt thoughtful rather than flashy: tactile fabrics, well-placed lighting, and a layout that keeps friends and family together without ever feeling crowded. Best for: gatherings with friends, long lunches that become dinners, and anyone who values easy, social spaces over showy gimmicks.
#2 Love Story
If a yacht can be a mood, Love Story is romance bottled. Soft lines, calm tones, and a sense of hush the moment you close the salon doors. The staterooms felt cocoon-like, with big windows and a few clever privacy touches that make downtime truly restorative. Up top, there’s a dreamy al fresco dining area that begs for lingering sunsets and candlelit nights. Best for: couples, honeymooners, and slow-travelers who savor quiet mornings and golden-hour dinners.
#3 Freedom
Freedom is all about momentum and play. Think sun-drenched deck pads, a versatile foredeck for yoga or sunrise coffee, and a stern that transitions effortlessly from civilized lounge to full-on water-sports base. The crew walked me through a gear lineup that made me grin—if you like toys, you’ll be in your element. Inside, it’s clean, uncluttered, and geared toward groups who want to move from sea to salon without missing a beat. Best for: active groups, families with teens, and anyone who believes the day starts with a swim and ends with a nightcap in the jacuzzi.
#4 Ahalya
Ahalya felt like a floating retreat: calm palette, elegantly restrained decor, and little design choices that dial down the noise of the world. The wellness angle is subtle but effective—quiet corners for reading, a spa-like en suite vibe, and lighting that shifts with the mood of the day. I loved the flexible dining setup: formal when you want it, relaxed when you don’t. Best for: reset-and-recharge escapes, creative retreats, and travelers who think of a yacht as a sanctuary as much as transport.
#5 Floramye
Floramye carries herself with history and heart. Classic lines, warm woods, and those tactile details—polished hardware, neatly coiled lines—that remind you why timeless never goes out of style. She’s not about the biggest everything; she’s about character. Morning coffee on her deck felt like a postcard: calm water, soft light, and a gentle sense of place that’s hard to manufacture. Best for: lovers of heritage, slower itineraries, and anyone who values soul over spectacle.
A few quick takeaways from the show
Layout beats square footage: The best yachts made every space work twice as hard: shaded lounges that become dining areas, foredecks that morph from sunbeds to yoga decks.
Crew chemistry matters: The most memorable tours were led by crews who genuinely loved their boats and had stories to match.
Comfort is the new luxury: Stabilization, smart lighting, quiet cabins, and easy indoor-outdoor flow made bigger differences than flashier features.
If you’re planning a charter, picture your perfect day and pick the yacht that makes that day effortless. For me, Carmen, Love Story, Freedom, Ahalya, and Floramye each promised a different kind of perfect—five ways to experience the Adriatic, all unforgettable in their own right.
