Cannes 2026: Princess X90 headlines new model announcements

Princess Yachts is using the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival to introduce its new X90, the latest addition to the X Class range. The 90ft model sits between the X80 and X95 Vista and brings changes to the Super Flybridge layout, including an enclosed wheelhouse, expanded outdoor areas and a new hull platform.

At Cannes, Princess has also announced the F55 and S74, both due to make their world premieres at boot Düsseldorf in January 2027, as well as the C48, which will debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show later this year. The company also used Cannes to highlight a 19.78 per cent reduction in carbon emissions during 2025, first reported in April 2026.

Will Green, CEO of Princess Yachts, says: “The world debut of the Princess X90 at Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 marks a defining moment for both the X Class range and Princess Yachts. Building on the success of the X80 and X95 Vista, the X90 introduces groundbreaking new features, exceptional space and a revolutionary new hull platform that together redefine what owners can expect from a luxury yacht of this size. We are incredibly excited to present the X90 to the world for the very first time at Cannes.”

The X90 has fold-down balconies integrated into the port and starboard cockpit bulwarks, expanding the usable aft deck area. A glass transom balustrade and low-level cockpit layout provide 180-degree views, while the space also includes seating and a starboard wet bar.

The Super Flybridge layout moves the main helm to an enclosed flybridge wheelhouse and Skylounge, leaving more of the main deck available for accommodation and living areas. The Skylounge has panoramic glazing and seating, with an optional 85-inch television, while the aft flybridge can be configured with a spa bath, bar, loose furniture or tender storage with crane.

The main deck uses full-height glazing and can be specified with either an open galley and breakfast bar or a fully enclosed arrangement. The owner’s stateroom is positioned forward and has 180-degree views, with an optional gullwing door providing access to a private foredeck terrace.

Below deck, the standard arrangement has three en-suite guest cabins, while a five-cabin option adds two further guest cabins. Crew accommodation is positioned forward, with up to three crew cabins, a bathroom and a dedicated crew mess.

The X90 also introduces Princess’s hybrid progressive-planing (HPP) hull, developed with Bernard Olesinski Limited. Princess says the hull requires approximately 10 per cent less power above 16 knots than the Y85 when displacements are normalised. Below 10 knots, fuel consumption is comparable with the Y85 despite the X90 being approximately 18 tonnes heavier.

Princess adds F55 to flybridge range

Princess has also announced the F55, which will replace the F50 and make its world premiere at boot Düsseldorf in January 2027. The new model has increased length and beam, with changes including a walkaround glass transom, flexible cockpit seating and a larger flybridge with two seating zones and an aft wet bar.

The F55 has three guest cabins, including a full-beam owner’s stateroom, with an optional aft crew cabin. Twin Volvo D13-900 engines are expected to give the yacht a top speed of up to 34 knots. A 130kgF bow thruster is fitted as standard, with stern thrusters and gyro stabilisation available as options.

S74 to debut at boot Düsseldorf

The S74 will also make its premiere at boot Düsseldorf in January 2027, replacing the S72 in the Princess S Class. The new model has a redesigned cockpit with seating that can be configured as a single J-shaped lounge or two separate areas. An integrated sunpad sits above the tender garage, which can accommodate a tender up to 3.9m.

The sportbridge has a second helm station, seating, folding tables and a wet bar with barbecue. Below deck, the S74 accommodates up to eight guests across four cabins, including a full-beam owner’s stateroom with a private staircase from the main deck.

C48 enters new market

Princess is expanding into the centre-console and day boat market with the C48, which will make its world debut as the C48 Open at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2026.

The C48 uses a Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT) hull developed by naval architect Michael Peters, with exterior architecture by Bernard Olesinski Limited. Three propulsion options are available: triple Mercury V10 400hp Verado outboards, triple Mercury V12 600hp Verado outboards or twin Volvo D6-480 inboard diesels. Depending on the configuration, top speed ranges from 32 to 54 knots. A C48 Deck Saloon version will also be offered with an enclosed saloon and sliding roof option.

Princess reports lower carbon emissions

Alongside the introduction of the Princess X90, the UK boatbuilder used the start of Cannes Yachting Festival to highlight to the press that its total carbon emissions fell by 19.78 per cent in 2025, according to its latest Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) report. Solar installations across two Plymouth sites generated more than 2.9m kWh of electricity during the year, contributing to a 37.52 per cent year-on-year reduction in electricity-related emissions.

The company’s biomass system generated approximately 4.4m kWh of heat, helping to reduce traditional heating oil consumption by 48 per cent. Transport emissions fell by 45.39 per cent, while emissions from natural gas and other fuels decreased by 9.12 per cent.