T+L’s Ship Review of Curiosity Superyacht

I dive head first into the Mediterranean Sea, just off the coast of the Italian island of Elba. I swim out, stretching wide to shake off my slumber—and last night’s limoncello. When I climb back up the swim ladder, Jason, the deckhand, is ready to wrap a fluffy towel around my shoulders.

Then I’m sitting in a director’s chair, balancing a just-brewed latté on the armrest as the sun continues to rise. All the other passengers are still asleep, meaning I’m enjoying a moment of total peace at the stern of the superyacht Curiosity. Can I bottle this feeling for when I’m back at home, facing yet another dinner battle with my two young daughters?

I’m keen to make the most of the morning, since it’s my final one on the 148-foot vessel. It’s the sort of yacht that’s typically only available through a charter broker who might arrange a weeklong trip at a six-figure price tag. But it’s now possible to get aboard, as I did, for a shorter trip of just two nights, booking a single cabin rather than the whole vessel.

Credit for that goes to the Moretti family, the name behind Florence’s wonderfully eclectic Hotel Number Nine and the owners of Curiosity. “It’s a boutique hotel experience at sea,” says Ginevra Moretti, who, along with her husband Maximilian Fane, runs the family’s hospitality operations.

It’s a fresh approach that blends elements of a European seaside resort, a traditional cruise vacation, and a private yacht charter. Rates for Curiosity start at €9,000 (about $10,500) for a two-night voyage and include extras such as food and fuel though not alcoholic beverages nor tips for the crew. (“Even 5 percent would be very welcome,” Fane says of gratuities.)

And while Curiosity is one of a kind, it does have some competition when it comes to yacht-inspired vacations in the Mediterranean: Ponant operates a 16-cabin vessel called Le Ponant. Sea Cloud Cruises has a fleet of square-rigged sailing ships; the largest accommodates just 136 passengers. And The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection now has three yacht-inspired ships, including the newest, Luminara.

Still, nothing can compare to the privacy and privilege you feel when on a true superyacht. Consider that, the day before my morning swim, we woke up at anchor in the bay of Porto Azzurro, on Elba’s east coast, with only wooden fishing boats for company. I spent an hour strolling around the colorful port, pausing for a caffè shakerato, before returning by tender to find that the crew had set out a selection of water toys.

Three other guests and I jumped into some kayaks and paddled over to a stretch of secluded shore for a swim. Next was a whirlpool soak and an al fresco lunch on the aft deck. As we feasted on lobster and prawns, captain Andrea pulled up anchor and gently cruised around the coast.

After lunch, we dispersed around the yacht, some to their cabins for a nap, others to quiet reading nooks. I unfurled on a lounge chair in front of the bridge—but never cracked open my book. I was too enthralled by the landscape, a jagged coastline covered in maritime pines and marked by empty beaches. I began to wonder why Napoleon, who was exiled on Elba in the early 19th century, ever wanted to leave.

By late afternoon we closed in on Capo d’Enfola, an old tuna-fishing village that’s now the hippest place on the island, Moretti says. We meet on the sun deck for Campari spritzes and watch the fiery sun disappear behind the silhouette of Corsica in the distance. Our glasses are topped up before they get low and, once the sun dips below the horizon, the crew hands out blankets before we realize we need them.

That kind of intuitive, unobtrusive service is a hallmark of charter trips, the style of travel that most of us only dream of. Now, thanks to the House of Nine superyacht, the experience is within reach.

Here’s my detailed review of Curiosity, including where it sails, the onboard experience, and details about its cabins and culinary offerings.

The Staterooms

Curiosity can sleep 12 guests in six cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom. There are four categories: two Twin and two Queen cabins are the more affordable options. From there, the VIP has folding doors that open onto the deck for direct access to the whirlpool. The top choice is the Master Suite, which has a separate office area in addition to living quarters.

My own Queen stateroom was super stylish, with nautical accents and vintage wood paneling. The bathroom was stocked with Diptyque toiletries and monogrammed towels and bathrobes; there was also plenty of storage. What the rooms don’t have are private balconies, this being a superyacht rather than a larger cruise ship. My cabin had portholes just above the waterline, and I enjoyed watching the sea spray dance.

Bars and Restaurants

South African chef Nolan Van Staden is an ex-pro rugby player who attended culinary school in Bangkok and handles all the cooking on Curiosity. One day, our family-style lunch was giant prawns, lobsters, and wide pans loaded high with paella. Dinner tended to be more formal, with fresh pasta dishes served on silver tableware that was salvaged from Rex, a 1940s Italian cruise liner that was sunk during World War II.

Depending on the weather, meals are served either in the formal dining room on the main deck or al fresco on the aft deck, with tablescapes laid out by the interior team. The bright custom-made placemats and napkins match perfectly with testa di Moro vases designed by Moretti herself.

Where Curiosity Sails

Curiosity has a permanent berth at Piombino, a coastal Tuscan town about two hours by car from the Hotel Number Nine in Florence. (Transfers to and from the yacht are included.) From there, it takes an hour to cruise across to Elba, one of the few places in the Western Mediterranean that still feels untouched, even in high season.

“Elba is a hidden destination, although it’s beloved by stylish Italians,” Moretti tells me. Two-day itineraries will sail around the island, while three-day trips add a visit to the neighboring island of Giglio.

Shore Excursions

These itineraries have been designed to cram the best of yacht life into a limited timeframe, so don’t expect long, organized excursions if you choose to go ashore. The ports Curiosity does visit are the sort of laid-back coastal resort towns where the main “things to do” are browsing boutiques or sipping an espresso or chinotto at a waterfront café. Elba’s capital, Portoferraio, has the liveliest scene—and the waterfront residence Napoleon lived in during his year of exile.

Amenities and Entertainment

In true superyacht fashion, Curiosity has a selection of water toys, including wakeboarding equipment, underwater scooters, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and kayaks. There’s also plenty of space to relax, particularly if you’re looking to fall into the rhythm of sun lounger, swim, whirlpool, repeat. While there’s no official spa, the crew can arrange for massages and other treatments on board.

Family-friendly Offerings

Children 16 and up are welcome on Curiosity, and my sense is that many teens would love the chance to try all the watersports gear the yacht carries. Kids younger than 16 are only allowed on the vessel in the case of a full buyout—see more on that below.

Accessibility

Like most superyachts, Curiosity wasn’t built with accessibility in mind. The door frames aren’t wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, and staircases are either narrow, curved, or both. There’s no elevator. Getting on and off the boat from a tender can be challenging—even with a strong pair of crew to lean on for support. Given all that, it is likely not the best choice for those with limited mobility.

A Note on Pricing

Individual staterooms on Curiosity start at €9,000 for a two-night trip. But the vessel can also be booked as a full buyout: those booking all six cabins get a 5 percent discount on the cost. It’s also possible to book a partial buyout, taking five cabins during the high-season months of July and August (from €54,000, or about $63,000) or four cabins during other months (from €36,900, or about $43,000). The Moretti family aims to have another yacht, Electa, running similar trips by the 2026 season.