The launch was a big event for the owner family, the Dutch shipyard and for Arcon Yachts Monaco, who took care of the sales and project management. Construction of "Serena" began in spring 2022 and the yacht owners got in early to realise their dream yacht together with the Heesen engineers and the designers from Omega Architects and Luca Dini. Their aim was to create an optimised layout and an inviting interior that would make you feel at home even during longer stays.
The centrepiece is the atrium, which extends over three decks and is adorned with hand-blown glass and handmade metal lights by John Pomp. "Serena's" design is based on Alvar Aalto's principle: "Beauty is the harmony of purpose and form." The interior design consists of light-coloured woods with a velvet look, bronze metal details and soft fabrics and leather. Amazonite marble is added for colourful accents. Wooden panels with a chevron pattern emphasise the vertical surfaces in the atrium and lobbies.
Neue Heesen offers a living room by the water
The main saloon consists of three areas. A bronze-coloured bar near the sliding doors serves the main deck's aft terrace and lounge. The skylounge also features a hammered bronze bar, a customised gaming table and comfortable seating for watching the latest blockbusters or engrossing yourself in a book.
The beach club, which receives natural light through two glass portholes, is furnished like a living room by the water, with a sauna as standard. Various steps lead up to the 110 square metre sun deck with flexible furniture arrangements for different occasions. The forward seating area is the perfect place to enjoy the view during the journey.
Fitness room or additional guest cabin?
"Serena" can accommodate twelve guests in five cabins. The owner's suite is located on the forward main deck and comes with a lounge, office, veranda, two walk-in wardrobes for him and her and a large bathroom. The remaining guests spend the night on the lower deck: in two double cabins with beds athwartships for optimum freedom of movement and two double cabins with Pullman beds - each bedroom has its own marble bathroom. The fitness room on the bridge deck can easily be converted into another cabin if required.
High praise for the owner
Praise echoed over the loudspeakers at the launch: Heesen's project manager Eric Molegraaf emphasised the owner: "Thanks to his clear vision of the yacht's intended use, his knowledge of life at sea and awareness of his needs, the decision-making process was easy and relaxed." Richard Kaye of Arcon Yachts Monaco mentioned that "Serena" is the second 55 von Heesen they have had the honour of selling and designing, following the delivery of "Reliance" in 2023.
"The beauty of her is that she is small enough to call at all ports in the Mediterranean and large enough to give the owners plenty of space to enjoy life at sea," added Kaye. When the yacht is delivered at the end of 2024, longer non-stop voyages will also be possible, with "Serena" offering a transatlantic range of 4500 nautical miles at 13 knots.
Uske Berndt
Editor News & Panorama
