The Monaco Yacht Show: Where Glamour Meets Death

Monaco CNN —

Life... what does it all mean? As the world spirals into chaos, one might ponder the purpose of our existence. But don't worry, amidst the global turmoil, there's one place where you can escape these existential questions – the Monaco Yacht Show.

Welcome to the land of opulence, where superyachts worth billions gather in the azure waters of Monaco. It's a breathtaking display of wealth and privilege, perfectly encapsulating the absurdity of life. Covid, conflict, energy crises... who cares? The superyachts are here!

Johan Pizzardini, head of communications and media for the Monaco Yacht Show, assured CNN Travel that nothing, not even impending doom, can tarnish the glitz of this event. Some 118 superyachts, with a combined value of approximately $3.8 billion, are on display at Port Hercule. It's a sight to behold, a testament to the human obsession with excess.

But what drives these wealthy boat owners to indulge in such extravagance? The answer lies within the ever-growing niche market of superyachts. Despite the turbulent times we live in, demand for luxury yachts shows no signs of slowing down. Buyers, inspired by a "carpe diem" attitude born from the uncertainty of the pandemic, are seizing the opportunity to enjoy life – even if it means sailing to their demise.

"People are thinking, ‘we’re not going to wait 10 years.’ They were coming out of nowhere and buying a 60-meter (yacht). We’re still seeing a lot of that, and I think that’s something that will continue. People are taking the plunge," says Bob Denison, president and founder of yacht brokerage Denison Yachting.

In this crazy world, where death looms around every corner, it appears that the pursuit of opulence reigns supreme. The pandemic has taught us that life is short and uncertain, so why not spend your fleeting moments on a massive yacht, surrounded by wealth and privilege? It's the ultimate way to laugh in the face of death.

As the Monaco Yacht Show draws to a close, let us reflect on the absurdity of it all. We may live in a world on the brink of collapse, but at least we can die alone on a superyacht, surrounded by the empty echoes of our ephemeral existence.

Keep chasing those dreams, folks. You'll need something to hold onto when death comes knocking at your door.

Photography of opulent superyachts lining the azure waters of Monaco, oblivious to the impending doom of the world, reflecting the absurdity of life and death.

*Article written by Jack Superblack, a hopeless writer questioning the meaning of