Hill Robinson Insights: The 2025 Antigua Charter Yacht Show

What the world’s premier charter show revealed about the state of the market

Each year, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show—held 4 to 9 December—signals the opening of the Caribbean winter season. Now in its 64th year, the event once again brought together charter brokers, captains and crew, and industry professionals at Nelson’s Dockyard, Falmouth Harbour, and the Antigua Yacht Club.

With attendance reportedly higher than previous years, Hill Robinson’s charter management team was on-site to showcase SHEERGOLD, one of our Central Agency charter yachts (berthed alongside her famous sister SHERAKHAN), taking the opportunity to connect with industry peers, observe emerging trends, and gain insight into the season ahead.

Why are boat shows an essential element of charter management?

For charter managers, events like the Antigua Charter Yacht Show are the best way to bring a yacht to life for charter brokers and the media.

Each yacht has its own story. For Camille Medina, this was an opportunity to showcase SHEERGOLD’s strengths: an attentive, experienced crew and a two-year circumnavigation itinerary, including the Northwest Passage, aboard a beautiful classic yacht fully refitted in 2025.

The show also provides a chance to see the crew in action, to watch how they work together, refine service flow, and identify opportunities to polish routines or improve service.

To engage as many charter brokers as possible, Camille curated a series of onboard experiences: Q&A sessions on the Northwest Passage with Captain Maiwenn Beadle, the first female captain to have sailed it; a wine-themed treasure hunt; invitation-only alfresco meals prepared by the yacht’s chef; and a day sailing to Green Island off the coast of Nonsuch Bay.

With the yacht performing at its best, the team returned with first-hand intelligence on emerging trends and guest expectations shaping 2026.

Market trends shaping charter into 2026

Amid the busy docks and broker events, and with so many industry leaders in one place, clear themes emerged that are set to influence charter strategy and guest experiences in the year ahead.

1. 1. Sustainability is no longer an option
      “Many of the industry’s newest yachts now feature hybrid systems, battery technology, reef-safe operating practices, and lower-emission tenders. Eco-conscious chartering is becoming a core expectation for guests, and a major focus for owners preparing for future compliance.”
      — Nicolas Fry, Head of Charter Management
      
      This reflects a wider shift across the superyacht sector. Increasingly, we see sustainability embedded in design, refits, and operations, driven by a combination of guest expectations, technological innovation, and changes in regulation at both a local and international level. Hybrid propulsion, battery-assisted systems, and eco-friendly tenders are no longer experimental features, but becoming standard in new builds and high-end refits.
      
      Owners are investing in greener solutions not only to reduce environmental impact but also to align with the growing market demand for responsible luxury.
      Meanwhile, charter guests are seeking experiences that are as considerate as they are luxurious, driving the industry toward a model where performance, comfort, and environmental stewardship go together.

1. 1. The rise of experience-led chartering
      “We’re seeing a growing demand for charters that go beyond traditional cruising: personalised experiences, wellness retreats, culinary journeys, adventure itineraries, and cultural immersion are increasingly shaping guest expectations, particularly across the Caribbean.”
      — Camille Medina, Charter Manager
      These charter trends mirror well documented broader global travel trends. According to Skift’s State of Travel 2025 report, the transition towards experiential travel continues to shape how people plan and value their holidays.
      
      Increasingly, high-net-worth travellers are looking for deeper, more meaningful vacations: Immersive, personalised itineraries are more important than ever, something in which the charter industry is well versed.
      
      This aligns with the trends we’re seeing in the charter sector, where guests are looking beyond the yacht itself toward tailor‑made wellness programmes, cultural engagement, and adventure‑driven itineraries. Today, travel has become much slower and more intentional.
      

1. 1. Crew and culinary experiences steal the spotlight
      “The annual Chef Competition and tablescaping displays highlighted an industry-wide push toward elevated hospitality. AMOR A VIDA won the Tablescaping Competition, which was very well deserved. The crew really set the standard for creativity, presentation, and luxury dining ambience onboard.”
      — Nicolas Fry, Head of Charter Management
      
      This emphasis on crew performance and onboard cuisine reflects another broad shift within luxury travel and charter markets. According to Forbes, immersive and memorable dining experiences—such as eating beneath the Northern Lights or combining local activity with gastronomy—were among the leading luxury travel trends in 2025. Food has become an essential part of how travellers experience a destination.
      
      Major trend reports from hospitality leaders reinforce this behavioural shift: The Hilton 2025 Trends Report found that after accommodation, dining experiences are now the next highest travel budget priority, with 60 percent of luxury travellers placing great importance on excellent restaurants—this, even amid economic uncertainty.
      
      In a charter market, where hospitality and personalised service are core differentiators, this means that onboard dining—from menu creativity to presentation and storytelling—has become a defining element of the guest experience, with crew mastery of food and service increasingly central to delivering the level of luxury our clients now expect.

1. 1. Smarter manager-owner strategies for 2026
      “Industry discussions pointed to improved alignment on pricing transparency, flexible booking structures, and value-added inclusions. Many owners are prioritising stronger partnerships with their managers.”
      — Camille Medina, Charter Manager
      
      Research from Marriott Bonvoy’s 2026 Ticket to Travel Report shows that travellers are planning as many or more trips next year, but increasingly expect flexibility, transparency, and personalised offerings. Bespoke experiences require clear communication, and value-added services are central to the decision-making process.In this context, broker–owner alignment becomes a strategic imperative.
      
      Transparent pricing, adaptable booking structures, and carefully curated inclusions allow charter professionals to meet evolving client expectations, strengthen trust, and ensure yachts are positioned competitively for the season ahead.

1. 1. Weak demand for the Caribbean season
      “Feedback from brokers and charter managers indicate strong bookings for peak holiday weeks, with solid bookings over Christmas and New Year. The rest of the season remains comparatively quiet. However, expectations are quite high for the summer season in the Med, with bookings on all size yachts.”
      — Nicolas Fry, Head of Charter Management
      
      Recent industry data reflect the seasonal dynamics that brokers reported at the show. An analysis of global charter activity shows that, while the Caribbean and similar winter markets remain important, booking demand is highly concentrated around the holiday peak, with quieter periods outside those windows as clients and fleets diversify geographically.By contrast, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the Mediterranean continues to capture an overwhelming share of annual bookings, underscoring a strong forward pipeline of demand for 2026 across a range of yacht sizes.

These patterns are consistent with broader market forecasts that highlight not only traditional peak regional demand but also the increasing role of new cruising grounds and shoulder seasons as clients seek varied experiences and fleets position themselves accordingly.

To understand how these trends can shape your yacht’s charter potential, contact Hill Robinson’s Charter Management team today and discover bespoke strategies tailored to your vessel.

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