The Arcadia A96: Exquisite Style and Comfort

There’s so much to be said for celebrating the great outdoors, of revelling in fresh air, warm sun, and clean, clear waters. Just as there’s a lot to like about the great indoors, with its multiple comforts, controlled climate, and tasteful modern amenities. The good news is that in Arcadia’s stunning new A96, it’s easy to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Stretching a full 30 metres from stem to stern, the A96 is a lot of yacht measured on general arrangements alone. With five obnoxiously luxurious guest staterooms and a sprawling eight-metre beam, plenty of space to relax in comfort goes without saying. And that comfort is assured thanks to the A96’s next-generation stabilizer systems that ensure one’s travels may leave them stirred but never shaken. When it’s time to get there in a hurry, four Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines cover the miles in minutes while minimizing both sound and greenhouse gas emissions. And while sipping fuel like a Prius.

For a large yacht, the A96 cuts a svelte figure with its unique modern design that suggests art deco flair. That’s particularly true when you step aboard and get a taste of Igor Lobanov’s interior design, with its sleekly curving lines and dark lacquered surfaces saluting the original Roaring Twenties.

The art deco feel becomes clear as you board from the stern, with the A96’s elegantly flowing stern swim platform. It’s very much an extension of the open stern cockpit rather than a bolt-on appendage, teasing at the elegant marriage of indoor and outdoor spaces that set this yacht apart. The sharp-eyed will note that the gunnels on either side of the platform can be lowered at the push of a button, reclining outward to create matching terraces on each side of the boat that expand the platform into a full-on beach club. Sumptuous lighting, including a full array of colour-controlled underwater lights, make this the top spot onboard for a late-night cocktail.

Step up three wide steps on either side of the platform and the expansive cockpit awaits, beckoning you to kick off your shoes and relax outside under the overhead hard top. Multiple settees provide abundant seating options, while small side tables make the cockpit the go-to spot for drinks while enjoying the fresh sea air.

The aft end of the salon opens fully, integrating the yacht’s outdoor and indoor spaces once more. But to really let the outdoors in, two further terraces, one on either side, open to create stunning balcony seating for an evening meal with a view.

The salon is brilliantly appointed, with a light and fresh decor that again hints at art deco splendour in a thoroughly modern way. Tasteful natural fabrics and eco-friendly textures emphasize a soft and nurturing feel, while the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows ensure guests never miss a striking sunset.

The far-forward main deck is reserved for the owner’s private apartment, complete with a forward-facing bed, a seating area, an office space, an entertainment system, and a spacious private ensuite head.

Guest staterooms in the lower deck are accessed by a wide U-shaped staircase in the forward salon. The A96’s typical arrangement provides two huge midships VIP suites, with a pair of twin guest cabins forward, all served by individual ensuite heads. The bow section is reserved for crew accommodation, complete with direct bridge access so crew members can come and go without disturbing guests.

That elegant staircase also leads upstairs from the main salon to access the sun deck. An expansive upper cockpit provides a great space for sunning in private comfort or simply lounging about enjoying the warmth. Ahead, an upper salon mirrors the delightful main deck space while leveraging its elevated position for even grander views. Wide, fully opening side windows and generous promenades invite strolls to the bow, where a lovely settee and several free-standing chairs offer a more private space for quiet conversations or morning coffee without fear of waking others.

Over its three decks, the A96 delivers more than 400 square metres of opulently luxurious living space in all. Yet for its size and space, the A96 is still every inch an Arcadia yacht, which means that elegant skin hides some serious engineering beneath. Those muscular Volvos, for example, push the A96 along very comfortably with a top speed in the range of 24 knots. Moreover, thanks to a collaboration between Volvo Penta and Garmin, the A96 comes equipped with Volvo Penta’s assisted docking system that facilitates mooring operations while ensuring maximum safety in even the most demanding conditions.

It also includes an available Silent Mode system that eliminates the need for a noisy generator. Instead, a solar-battery system runs the climate control overnight in silence to ensure a wonderful night’s sleep.

With its ability to bring the outside in and merge contemporary styling with art deco influences, Arcadia’s stunning A96 really does deliver. Looking to escape from it all? Your ship has come in.