The railway connection Orient Express is a legend. The French hotel group Accor has decided to revive this legend – but this time not on the rails, but on the water. In 2024, the group ordered two new ships from the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
The first vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2026, will be named “Orient Express Corinthian”. Now the company has announced a new cooperation with another French icon, Guerlain.
The 500-square-metre spa area will include four treatment suites, among them a VIP double suite for couples, as well as a gentle sauna, a serene relaxation lounge, a barber studio, a beauty salon, a fitness area, and an infinity lap pool.
“This alliance unites two French icons of elegance and savoir-faire. With Guerlain, we reimagine the art of travel and wellness, creating a sanctuary where beauty, refinement, and destinations discoveries converge. Aboard Orient Express Sailing Yachts, our guests will embark on journeys that are as enriching for the soul as they are unforgettable in the experience.” said Philippe Hetland-Brault, CEO of Orient Express Sailing Yachts.
In this setting, Guerlain unveils a collection of experiences crafted exclusively for Orient Express Sailing Yachts. More than treatments, they are “true odysseys, harmoniously composed with the elements, the rhythm of the sea, and the essence of exploration. These bespoke ceremonies pay tribute to the beauty of nature and the thrill of discovery. They offer profound sensory immersion, nurturing skin, soul, and senses alike,” the yacht company states.
World’s largest sailing yacht
“Orient Express Corinthian” will be the world’s largest sailing yacht, featuring hybrid LNG propulsion and AI-driven noise-reduction technology. It will enter service in June 2026, sailing across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean. The sister vessel, “Orient Express Olympian”, will follow in 2027.
The 220-metre (722-ft), 22,300-GT vessel will have capacity for 130 passengers and 170 crew.
Three 100-metre-tall SolidSail rigs with a combined area of 1,500 m will significantly contribute to propulsion. Primary propulsive power, however, will come from a conventional seawater-lubricated propeller shaft driven by an LNG-fuelled main engine. Accor also plans to operate the ship on green hydrogen once the fuel receives approval for ocean-going passenger vessels.
The ships are being built to Bureau Veritas class.
