The first X90, Jenny X, made her physical debut at Cannes in September, two years after the model itself was announced.
Princess Yachts’ new X90 made its first appearance as an actual yacht at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, more than two years after the model was unveiled at the same show in 2024. Hull number one, named Jenny X, was launched from Princess’s South Yard in Plymouth in May, completed sea trials in July and was delivered to her owners in August, before heading to Cannes. She is due to appear at the Monaco Yacht Show later in September.
The X90 is the third distinct hull in Princess’s X Class range, which began with the X95 in 2020 and was joined by the smaller X80 in 2021. The X95 itself was refreshed as the X95 Vista, with a revised bow and window line, from 2023. The X90 now sits between the X80 and the X95 Vista, and carries across the range’s defining Super Flybridge layout, in which the primary helm moves up to an enclosed flybridge wheelhouse and skylounge, freeing the main deck for an unusually large amount of guest living space, including the forward owner’s suite.
The more interesting development sits below the waterline. The X90 introduces what the yard calls a Hybrid Progressive-Planing hull, developed with naval architect Bernard Olesinski, who has worked on naval architecture across the X Class range since the X95. Princess describes the hull as designed to improve efficiency across a wider speed range, rather than being optimised around one operating condition, and says the result needs around 10 per cent less power above 16 knots than the Y85, at normalised displacement, while matching the Y85’s fuel consumption below 10 knots despite the X90 weighing roughly 18 tonnes more.
It’s a specific, attributable claim, and worth reading for what it actually is: a manufacturer-supplied benchmark against one specific model, not a test against Princess’s current range. It measures a reduction in power requirement, not necessarily an equivalent cut in fuel burn, and the comparison sits entirely with Princess’s own figures rather than any independent trial.
“Building on the success of the X80 and X95 Vista, the X90 introduces groundbreaking new features, exceptional space and a revolutionary new hull platform that together redefine what owners can expect from a luxury yacht of this size,” said Princess Yachts CEO Will Green.
The hull is offered with a choice of three MAN V12 engine packages, from 1,900mhp through to the flagship V12X-2200, giving a claimed maximum speed range of 22 to 27 knots depending on the option specified. Fuel capacity is 11,000 litres.
Above the waterline, the X90 introduces several firsts for the yard: fold-down cockpit balconies, curved patio doors connecting the cockpit to the main deck, and an optional gullwing door from the owner’s suite to the foredeck terrace. The balconies extend the cockpit to port and starboard, building on an infinity-cockpit concept first seen on the Y85 and Y80, and are backed by a glass transom balustrade for uninterrupted 180-degree views. The patio doors allow the ten-seat dining space to become part of the cockpit when opened, while retaining sightlines to the water when closed. On the flybridge, the enclosed skylounge offers panoramic glazing and an optional 85-inch television, and the aft deck can be configured with a spa bath, bar or open lounge space.
At 27.11 metres overall (26.77 metres excluding pulpit), with a 6.62-metre beam, Princess lists displacement at around 91.5 tonnes. Below deck, the standard layout has three ensuite guest cabins, with a five-cabin option available. Crew quarters sit forward and can include up to three cabins, with optional layouts accommodating up to five crew.
