Picture this. You’re being gently rocked into a blissful slumber after an evening of world-class dishes, Champagne sipping, and making new friends as a pianist plays into the night. Of course, you’re on board none other than the Orient Express. But instead of riding the rails, you’re sailing out to sea.
More than 140 years after the launch of the world’s most opulent train journey, the Orient Express name will soon be emblazoned on the world’s largest sailing yachts: Orient Express Corinthian and Orient Express Olympian, setting sail in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
French hospitality group Accor and the shipbuilders at Chantiers de l’Atlantique have teamed up to create a vessel unlike any other, propelled by three sails spanning 16,000 square feet, each designed with revolutionary “SolidSail” technology. Here’s what to expect next summer, when the Corinthian welcomes the first guests on board.
Once aboard, lucky passengers can lounge among elegant French craftsmanship inspired by the legacy of the iconic trains. Maxime d’Angeac, the Orient Express’ artistic director, has reinterpreted the golden age of rail travel while echoing the grandeur of legendary ocean liners such as the SS Normandie, which was the largest and fastest passenger ship afloat when she entered service in 1935.
Orient Express Corinthian’s 54 suites range between 485 and 2,476 square feet, each framed by expansive picture windows and some offering spacious terraces for al-fresco downtime. Other highlights on board include a 115-seat cabaret, a state-of-the-art recording studio, and two swimming pools.
Whether on land or at sea, any Orient Express journey wouldn’t be complete without incredible culinary experiences. Multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno is overseeing the creation of the Corinthian’s five restaurants, which will be open to guests in addition to private dining spaces.
Ahead of the Orient Express Corinthian’s inaugural sailing in June 2026, a series of exciting itineraries are available for potential passengers to peruse.
Those first to experience the sparkly interiors are stepping aboard in Marseille on June 6 for a six-night adventure along the French Riviera, with stops in Saint Tropez and Cannes. Journeys along the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and the Adriatic Coast follow throughout the summer season.
Come October 2026, the ship will embark on a transatlantic sailing like no other, swapping the Mediterranean for the Caribbean. The dazzling series of winter Caribbean itineraries—including Barbados to St. Barts via the Tobago Cays—will navigate white-sand archipelagos and crystalline bays, as well as some of the world’s glitziest ports and marinas.
Reservations are now open for Orient Express Corinthian. Those interested in booking can inquire on the website.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/orient-express-sailing-yacht-2026