The New Era of Luxury Cruise: 10 Next-Gen Yachts and Express Cruisers to Watch

The latest generation of luxury yachts and express cruisers is seamlessly blending sleek, high-performance profiles with the massive, open-concept living spaces typically reserved for much larger vessels.

Absolute 62 Navetta

The new 62 Navetta was one of Absolute’s headline launches this year, expanding the Italian builder’s long-range cruising lineup with a platform focused on volume, efficiency, and extended time aboard. 

The Navetta’s semi-displacement hull is designed for efficient passagemaking and comfortable cruising rather than outright speed, making it well-suited to owners planning multi-day voyages or Great Lakes coasting. Two Volvo Penta D13 engines also provide a combined 1,800 hp, allowing for a long-distance travel and enhanced performance. The design is built for long-term entertaining complete with a suite of contemporary finishes. Large panoramic glazing stretches throughout the main deck, bringing natural light deep into the vessel. The aft cockpit, foredeck lounge and flybridge are also connected as distinct entertaining spaces while preserving privacy for guests moving through the yacht. 

Premium joinery, contemporary Italian finishes and extensive customization options complete the package, building off Absolute’s reputation for delivering superyacht-inspired accommodations in an owner-operated package. More info: www.absoluteyachts.com

Specifications: Length: Approx. 61 ft 9 in (18.8 m) | Beam: Approx. 17 ft 2 in (5.24 m) | Max horsepower: Approx. 1,800 hp combined | Passenger Capacity: 14 | Hull type: Semi-displacement cruising hull | MSRP: CAD $3,300,000 (approx. base)

Aquila 45 Sport 

East meets West. Built in Hangzhou, China, sold in Montreal, Quebec, and with offices now in Kingston, Ontario’s Confederation Basin, Aquila is a truly multinational brand.

Aquila debuted the 45 Sport at this year’s Miami International Boat Show, opening a reimagined sport-boat series for the world’s leading power-catamaran builder. The double-stepped hull reduces wetted surface at speed, borrowing technology from offshore racing and applying it to a 46-foot entertainer. The design, developed with Florida-based Yacht Design Works, draws visual cues from contemporary luxury SUVs: sharp creases, low silhouette, crisp edges. The hull adds strength and stability, giving the 45 Sport an incredibly smooth ride. Twin Mercury Verado V12 600s deliver top speeds above 50 mph and a 38-40 mph cruise. First-in-class Android and iOS integration are also included at the helm. More info: www.aquilaboats.com

Specifications: Length: 46 ft 6 in | Beam: 15 ft 2 in | Max horsepower: 1,200 hp combined | Hull type: Vinylester-infused GRP power catamaran; double-stepped hull; PVC core; NPG gelcoat | MSRP: From CAD $1,102,000 (approx.)

Greenline 45 Coupé 

Slovenian-built Greenline has been leading the hybrid-and-solar yacht segment since 2008, and the 45 Coupé sits at the middle of the current range. An 8-to-9-panel photovoltaic array integrated into the coachroof (2.4 to 3.0 kW peak) feeds a LiFePO4 service bank that runs hotel loads at anchor without cranking the generator. Propulsion options include twin Yanmar 8LV 370 hp diesels, Volvo IPS 500/600, the H-DRIVE hybrid stack, or twin Torqeedo Deep Blue 100 kW shaft-drive electric. Three cabins sleep six. www.greenlinehybrid.si

Specifications: Length: 51 ft 1 in (15.57 m) | Beam: 15 ft | Max horsepower: 740 hp combined (twin Yanmar 8LV 370 hp diesel std); Volvo IPS 500/600 or Torqeedo Deep Blue 200 kW fully electric options | Passenger capacity: Up to 6 (3 cabins) | Hull type: GRP planing hull (J&J Design); integrated 2.4-3.0 kW photovoltaic coachroof array; H-DRIVE hybrid or full-electric propulsion options | MSRP: CAD $1,150,000 (approx.)

Cruisers Yachts 50 Cantius

The 50 Cantius runs a single-level salon and three staterooms inside a 49-foot hull. The full-beam master carries a walk-around island berth, café table between built-in seats, vanity, and master head with separate shower. A walk-around queen VIP with split day head sits forward. A third stateroom takes dual bunks. Upper salon glazing runs 360 degrees. Galley sits aft with a retractable window that opens onto the cockpit.

Power comes from twin Volvo Penta D8 IPS 700s at 550 hp each, paired with Dynamic Positioning, EVC controls, and joystick docking. Hardware includes a 17 kW Onan genset, central vacuum, hydraulic swim platform, 50-lb anchor with 200 feet of chain, electric transom grill, powered sunroof, and opening salon windows. More info:
www.cruisersyachts.com

Specifications:  Length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m) | Beam: 15 ft (4.57 m) | Dry weight: 36,000 lbs (16,329 kg, diesel dry) | Max horsepower: 1,100 hp combined (twin Volvo Penta D8 IPS 700, 550 hp each) | Transom height: Bridge clearance 15 ft 7 in | Hull type: GRP planing hull; Volvo Penta IPS pod drive | MSRP: CAD $1,975,000 (base approx.)

Formula 360 CBR 

The 360 CBR is the first Formula under designer Michael Young, opening a new generation of the brand’s day boats. The 36-foot crossover bowrider rides on the stepped FAS3Tech hull. A glass-sunroof hardtop protects the cockpit without closing it in. The 11-foot 3-inch beam allows for a U-shaped lounge with Yeti Tundra cooler stowage, twin Corian tables that convert to a sun pad, and 330-degree bow seating for seven.

Outboard configurations run from twin Mercury Verado V-12 600s to triple 300, 350, 400, or 450 hp options. The sterndrive ships with twin Mercury 8.2L I/Os; a tester with twin 380 hp Bravo 3 sterndrives returned 48 mph. Below, six-foot-plus headroom, a full-beam double berth with memory foam, a privacy curtain, and an enclosed head with shower. The cockpit wetbar carries a sink, pull-out fridge, and trash container.More info: www.formulaboats.com

Specifications:  Length: 36 ft | Beam: 11 ft 3 in | Max horsepower: 1,200 hp combined (twin Mercury Verado V-12 600 OB) or 1,350 hp (triple Mercury 450 OB) | Hull type: FAS3Tech stepped fiberglass deep-V; sterndrive and outboard configurations| MSRP: From CAD $1,040,000 (base approx.)

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 Fly — Series 2

Series 2 of the Merry Fisher 1095 Fly arrived with a wider hull and a rebuilt flybridge. Twin 12-inch chartplotter positions now sit properly at the upper helm. The seat rotates and travels fore and aft. The reversible backrest folds flat into a full sun pad at anchor. Three double cabins fit below inside 35 feet, connected to the cockpit by flush-deck floorboards without a step down. Pilothouse glazing wraps 360 degrees. Two outboards to 300 hp each bring total power to 600 hp combined. More info: www.jeanneau.com

Specifications: Length: 35 ft 3 in | Beam: 11 ft 4 in | Dry weight: 5,037 kg light | Max horsepower: 600 hp combined (2 × 300 hp outboards max) | Passenger capacity: 7-10 | Hull type: Variable-vee planing GRP; twin outboard power; fuel 740 L total | MSRP: From CAD $550,000 (approx.)

Riviera 4300 Sports Express 

Volvo Penta has been powering Australia’s own Riviera, and has been aiming to reach a much younger market.

Riviera’s 4300 Sports Express targets younger buyers without abandoning the brand’s offshore-hull pedigree. Built in Standard twin robust Volvo Penta D6 IPS 600 diesels at 440 hp per side push the boat past 30 knots. Optional IPS 650s take output to 480 hp each. Three outdoor zones structure the experience: a sports deck for lounging and dining, a sun deck for anchor time, and a hydraulic swim platform that lowers into a private teak sea deck. The layout sleeps five below with a master stateroom, aft cabin, and full head with separate shower. Riviera has dealers in Canada, expanding its North American footprint, with more than 6,300 Riviera boats cruising national waterways. More info: www.rivieraaustralia.com

Specifications: Length: 45 ft 6 in (incl. platform and bow roller) | Beam: 14 ft 7 in (incl. gunwale) | Dry weight: 34,167 lbs (15,498 kg) | Max horsepower: 960 hp combined (twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 650, 480 hp each) | Passenger capacity: 5 sleeping | Hull type: Hand-laid GRP; foam-core sandwich above waterline, solid below; 7-year hull warranty | MSRP: CAD $1,670,000 (approx.)

Saxdor 460 GTC  

Another European boat-builder is challenging North American waters. Saxdor used Boot Düsseldorf 2026 for the world premiere of its new flagship, the 460 GTC. It’s the brand’s largest and most advanced boat, and it pushes Saxdor decisively past the 400 GTO into a more versatile category.

The 460 GTC is a full-beam wheelhouse outboard yacht that can close down or open up entirely. Two long folding platforms drop down electrically to extend deck space on either side, lining up with glass side doors that stack under the hard top. The hull is vacuum-infused GRP with twin steps and 20-degree deadrise. Inside, a forward cabin pairs with a twin mid-cabin, and an optional aft cabin turns the layout into a three-cabin configuration. The dashboard carries up to three 16-inch Simrad displays running Saxdor’s custom interface. Standard power runs three Mercury V8 300s off the base price, with V10 350 and V10 425 packages. More info: www.saxdoryachts.com

Specifications: Length: 47 ft 2 in | Beam: 13 ft 5 in | Max horsepower: 1,275 hp combined (3x Mercury Verado 425 V10) | Passenger capacity: 4 berths std (up to 8 with opt. aft cabin) | Hull type: Vacuum-infused GRP twin-step deep-V | MSRP: CAD $1,100,000 – $1,300,000 (avg. dealer price)

Neptunus 650S

The 650S is the newest hull in the Neptunus lineup, with a contemporary exterior profile and flowing lines. Construction is vacuum-infused fiberglass and Kevlar composite for the hull, with longitudinal and transverse foam stringers also infused. Twin CAT C18 ACERT diesels at 1,136 hp each push the boat to 31 knots at the top and 26 knots at a sensible cruise.

The three staterooms and three heads command attention. The full-beam master carries a king berth, stone headboard, curved walnut night tables, window seating, and a contemporary ensuite. Natural walnut woodwork runs throughout. The salon holds U-shaped seating and a 49-inch QLED TV; the galley carries quartz counters, a JennAir beverage centre, and a Jura coffee maker. Full glass flybridge windscreen wraps slightly at the corners under a carbon fibre hardtop. Seakeeper 10 stabilization is standard. Integrated solar panels feed a lithium battery house system. More info: www.neptunusyachts.com

Specifications: Length: 66 ft 4 in | Beam: 16 ft 7 in | Dry weight: 78,000 lbs | Max horsepower: 2,272 hp combined (twin CAT C18 ACERT, 1,136 hp each) | Passenger capacity: 3 staterooms + crew quarters | Hull type: Vacuum-infused GRP/Kevlar composite; Seakeeper 10 gyro stabilizer; integrated solar + lithium; fuel 1,100 US gal; water 300 US gal | MSRP: $2.1m USD (approx. $2,900,000 CAD)

Wellcraft 38 Explorer 

The 38 Explorer is Wellcraft’s rugged, offshore-ready commuter. Built around a one-piece infused hull using W.I.S.E. (Wellcraft Infujection Structural Engineering) technology, with hull design by Michael Peters. The high freeboards handle rough water, while oversized stainless handrails double as styling. The aft cockpit runs modular seating that flexes between fishing and watersports, with dive doors port and starboard. Three large sunpads and a forward bench turn the bow into the after-anchor lounge.

Power scales from twin Mercury V10 350 up to triple V8 300 or V10 350 with joystick. Top speed hits 57 mph. Cabin space below carries a double berth and shower, ambient lighting, and a JL Audio system. Optional gyro stabilization on lithium batteries runs quiet at anchor. The Wellcraft Warranty Owner Protection Plan runs up to 10 years, covers hull structure, components, and osmotic blistering, and transfers on sale. More info: www.wellcraft.com

Specifications:  Length: 38 ft 10 in (11.85 m) | Beam: 10 ft 9 in (3.30 m) | Max horsepower: Up to 1,050 hp combined (triple Mercury V10 350 hp OB) | Hull type: W.I.S.E. one-piece infused GRP with structural stringer; Michael Peters hull design; fuel 264 US gal | MSRP: From CAD $609,900 (approx.)