Orient Express’s Massive 722-Foot Yacht Was Inspired by Art Deco Design
The Corinthian, the first of Accor’s two Orient Express sailing yachts, set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2026. At 721.8 feet, she’s pitched as the world’s largest sailing yacht (sail-assisted with electric propulsion) with a stylized interior that pays homage to Orient Express’s Art Deco heritage. That includes poetic design signatures that anchor the decor in authenticity, such as luggage racks and vintage lights in a few guest cabins sourced from the original train, as well as a 20-seater cinema with a carpet inspired by Suzanne Lalique’s iconic flower bouquet glass panels.
“We began sketching the first design ideas for this vessel more than three years ago,” architect Maxime d’Angeac tells me during a tour of the boat in Saint-Nazaire, France. His French design studio specializes in reinterpreting historical private homes, estates, and villas through a contemporary lens, though Corinthian is his first yacht. “The central reception area is where guests embark, so we incorporated a lot of wood and detail to keep the vibe faithful to what people expect from the Orient Express train.”
Materials for the largely masculine and moody interior are sourced from or created by European artisans, from Jean Brieuc’s wood embroidery (also found on the headboards of Accor’s upcoming 2027 Istanbul train), to Franck Benito’s engraved crystal lights used to illuminate the yacht’s marble-clad wellness center—Guerlain’s first spa at sea.
“The more centrally placed you are on board, the less you feel the boat moving, which is why we located the spa amidships to create a soothing sanctuary at the heart of the vessel,” explains d’Angeac. Steeped in dip lighting and marble, the spa includes a hammam, sauna, tepidarium and ice fountains, with a movement studio that hosts instructor-led classes.
The boat was designed around 54 guest cabins, comprising 48 suites and six penthouse apartments. “It’s a very big boat for a limited number of passengers,” says d’Angeac. The 2,422-square-foot two-bedroom literary-themed Agatha Christie suite is the largest onboard and is dressed in rich rosewood with a marble bath and private terrace. Big hitters can take all six penthouse suites to form a private 10,000-square-foot refuge for 22 people that has full run of the top level, akin to a dedicated superyacht owner’s deck.
In addition to sweeping vistas, butler service, and restful, quiet days at sea (just four weeks a year are dedicated to family sailings) guests can expect an assortment of curated onboard entertainment, from a professional recording studio to a hidden whisky speakeasy sandwiched between a barber shop and treatment room.
“We experimented with contemporary materials and wide-open spaces to reflect the vessel’s highly modern technology,” adds d’Angeac. The fine-dining restaurant, one of five Michelin-level onboard eateries overseen by executive chef Yannick Alléno of Ledoyen in Paris and 1947 Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, is a case in point. The restaurant boasts the only double-height area on board, with floor-to-ceiling windows that introduce a welcome connection to the sea. Vibrant ‘sculpture en plâtre’ panels by French sculptor Etienne Rayssac draw the eye. When the sun dips, attention turns to the wagon bar with its velvet-lined cabaret aesthetic and DJ decks.
A second bathing pool on the upper deck and a stern beach club-cum-marina provide welcome lounging for sun worshippers, though it’s the ship’s three 30-foot-high masts and soaring rigid sails that present the most novel exterior design element. Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard from carbon fiber-reinforced glass panels instead of woven cloth, all of which are fully automated from the safety of the wheelhouse.
The Corinthian is also built to cruise without heeling, which means those who dare to swim in the “couloir de nage”—a 56-foot lap pool sliced deep into the sun deck—can do so without the threat of water spilling onto the deck.
The Corinthian signals a new chapter of discovery for Accor, which formed a partnership with LVMH in June 2024 that included a reported 50 percent stake in Orient Express. LVMH owns five luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary trains operated by Belmond, including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Along with experiential packages that combine hotel, train, and yachting in one unique hybrid offering, the alliance will “accelerate the renewal of this travel icon,” says Bernard Arnault, LVMH Group chairman and CEO.
The 110 guests (served by 170 crew) can’t dictate the ship’s course, but the all-inclusive itineraries take in the yachting hot spots of the French and Italian Riviera in summer and the Caribbean in winter, with shore excursions taking in a car rally and truffle lunch in the sun-drenched hills of Provence to an evening on Moskito Island.
More than a century after the Orient Express redefined luxury rail travel, Corinthian is setting out to do the same at sea. For guests, the result is less cruise, more carefully choreographed voyage where heritage, hospitality, and high design converge under sail.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Corinthian is the first of two Orient Express sailing yachts from Accor. Measuring 721.8 feet, it is described as the world’s largest sailing yacht and combines sail-assisted cruising with electric propulsion.
The Corinthian set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2026, marking Orient Express’s expansion from luxury rail travel into yachting.
The Corinthian is designed for 110 guests, served by a crew of 170. Its limited passenger count gives the yacht a more spacious, private feel than a traditional cruise ship.
The yacht has 54 guest cabins, made up of 48 suites and six penthouse apartments. The largest is the 2,422-square-foot Agatha Christie suite, which includes two bedrooms, a marble bath, rosewood interiors, and a private terrace.
The Corinthian is positioned less as a cruise ship and more as a choreographed luxury voyage. Its appeal lies in its low guest count, Art Deco-inspired interiors, Michelin-level dining, butler service, curated entertainment, and sail-assisted design.
The interiors were designed by architect Maxime d’Angeac, whose studio is known for reinterpreting historic private homes, estates, and villas through a contemporary lens. The Corinthian is his first yacht project.
The yacht pays tribute to the Orient Express’s Art Deco heritage through rich woodwork, vintage-inspired details, and select authentic pieces, including luggage racks and lights sourced from the original train.
The Corinthian has five Michelin-level restaurants overseen by executive chef Yannick Alléno, known for Ledoyen in Paris and 1947 Cheval Blanc in Courchevel. The fine-dining restaurant features double-height windows, sculptural plaster panels, and a strong visual connection to the sea.
Yes. The yacht features Guerlain’s first spa at sea, positioned amidships to reduce the sensation of movement. The wellness area includes a hammam, sauna, tepidarium, ice fountains, treatment rooms, and a movement studio.
The Corinthian’s all-inclusive itineraries include the French and Italian Riviera in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Shore excursions range from Provence car rallies and truffle lunches to evenings on Moskito Island.
The yacht’s three 30-foot-high masts use rigid sails made from carbon fiber-reinforced glass panels rather than woven cloth. The sails are fully automated and operated from the wheelhouse.
Accor owns the Orient Express brand and entered a partnership with LVMH in June 2024 to help develop the brand’s future in luxury travel. The alliance supports hybrid experiences across hotels, trains, and yachts.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.