Rain, Jet Lag, and One Very Special Yacht:

A Passage to Monaco on M/Y “BG CHARADE

By Alex Jimenez – TheYachtGuy

If the old saying “if these walls could talk” ever felt more true, it was aboard M/Y BG CHARADE—a 154-foot Feadship with a history as storied as the names who’ve owned her. Built for Paul Allen, passed on to billionaire Joe Lewis, featured on the show Below Deck, and now in the hands of Bobby Genovese, M/Y “BG CHARADE” of “BG” as she is often refured to, isn’t just a yacht—it’s a time capsule of whispered deals, late-night laughs, and untold stories echoing through polished teak halls.

So, we were thrilled at the opportunity when Bobby invited my fiancée and me to join him aboard for a cruise from Genoa to Monaco ahead of the Monaco yacht show.

We should’ve known the adventure would start before we even set foot on the boat.

Genoa or Bust

What should’ve been a routine flight from Fort Lauderdale to Italy turned into a blur of delays, missed connections, and one frantic scramble that ended with us hopping from a bus to a train to a cab arriving, finally, around 10 p.m. in a rainstorm after 55 hours of traveling. It was one of those moments where you’re soaked, jetlagged, and half-laughing because what else can you do?

But then you hear it—the low groan of lines tightening on wet cleats, the foghorn in the distance, the scent of saltwater mixing with rain—and you know you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. The crew was waiting dockside, Bobby too, and despite the late hour, it felt like the beginning of something special. Once aboard, we exchanged hellos, quickly followed by our goodnights. A hot shower and a cozy, turned-down bed awaited us. A cup of tea steamed by the bedside as I gazed out the window into the night, listening to the rain dance on the deck and droplets painting the glass. I felt exhausted, but I needed to take it all in. I had always imagined experiencing moments like this, and now I was living it.

Waiting on Weather, and Wandering

We were meant to set off the next morning, but the weather had its own plans. With the Genoa Yacht Show underway and the sea unsettled, we stuck around for a bit longer, taking in the show, wandering misty docks, and watching the city build towards its yachting future. Sure, it was smaller than other shows, but the ambition was there. The Italians of Genoa have a vision of what this marina could be, and they were building that vision. I look forward to returning when the construction is complete.

For the next few days, Genoa became our slow burn. Days blurred between yacht spotting and espresso stops, random chats with crew working overtime to wipe down decks between showers, and spontaneous conversations that bloomed into friendships over glasses of wine back on board. There was no shortage of laughter, married with breaks of serious conversation, but if the air got too heavy, Bobby knew how to lighten the mood. “Who has more fun with us?” Bobby G.

Being on M/Y “BG CHARADE”, even as a guest, gives you this subtle feeling of belonging. For a few days, you’ll be part of the club. You’re not just watching and wondering from a distance; you’re on the inside.

Stories, Sea Legs, and the Calm Before the Wake

Museums, dinners out, and long walks through the streets of Genoa, we were all set to get the show on the proverbial road. By day three, the captain announced we’d be departing at 4 a.m., Next Stop? Monaco.

I considered waking early to film the departure, but thought better of it. When you're a guest on a yacht like this, waking up early means someone on the crew does, too. And they don’t just wake; they serve, making sure you are well tended to no matter the hour. As guests, we didn't want to make even more work for them, so I stayed in bed and left the blackout shade cracked just enough to let the sunrise be my alarm.

Crossing Into a Dream

Waking up underway is its own quiet thrill. I stepped outside just as the coastline of Italy faded into the horizon and the promise of France took shape. The sea was calm, the sky wide, and the gulls trailed us like backup singers to the rhythm of the hull slicing through water. This is life.

An informal breakfast was served alfresco, and the sound of the prop wash blended with the occasional burst of laughter as we all got up on occasion to look over the side. Dolphins!! Someone yelled in the background, but they were gone as quickly as they came. I never got to see them on this trip, but the sight of them never gets old. These are the kinds of moments you read about in magazines or see in films—but here we were, living it, coffee in hand, salt on the breeze, Monaco just ahead.

Landfall and a New Chapter

Monaco greets you like a Bond film set. The cliffs. The harbor. Yachts of all Sizes are waiting for their turn to dock in their assigned location. It’s unapologetically flashy, but there’s an undeniable magnetism to it all. As “BG” came into port, I felt that familiar pang, grateful for the ride, but wishing it could stretch a little longer.

After packing our bags and saying our goodbyes and thank yous, we disembarked in Monaco, but the story wasn’t over. Monaco was calling another chapter, another adventure.

But what are the days aboard M/Y “BG CHARADE”? They’ll stay with me. Not just for the luxury or the history, but also for the human moments in between—The Journey to, the creaking lines in a rainy port, the unexpected debates over dinner, the quiet understanding that while my adventure aboard BG was at an end, the next yacht was waiting.