Two major players, Belmond and Accor, share The Orient Express brand, each taking it in different directions.
Belmond stays true to tradition, operating iconic luxury trains like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), which crosses Europe in restored carriages from the 1920s, and the Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia. It also manages luxury hotels worldwide, many housed in meticulously restored historic buildings.
Accor, on the other hand, is redefining the brand. Its La Dolce Vita train explores Italy’s landscapes. While new hotels, like La Minerva in Rome (2024) and Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice (2025), merge heritage and modern luxury. A major milestone for Accor is the upcoming launch of the Orient Express sailing yacht, set to debut in the early summer of 2026.
Key Features of the Orient Express Sailing Yacht: Silienseas or Corinthian?
The project is a collaboration between Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a French shipbuilding company. There’s a bit of confusion about the name: some sources refer to it as ‘Corinthian’, and others claim it to be ‘Silenseas’. The company’s official website has press releases featuring both names. However, according to Chantiers de l’Atlantique itself, the order was made on 2 ships, so both ‘Slienseas’ and ‘Corinthian’ will likely be used, one for each ship.
The Factsheet:
| Dimensions and Design | 220m / 722ft |
| Accommodations | 54 suites from 47m2 / 505ft2 to 950+m2 / 10,255ft2 |
| Amenities | 2 swimming pools, theater, private recording studio, speakeasy bar |
| Sustainable Propulsion | combining liquefied natural gas (LNG) with an innovative ‘SolidSail’ system. 3 rigid sails (1,500m2 / 16,000ft2 each), tilting 100m / 328ft masts |
| Cultural Experiences | artistic heritage of the French Riviera |
World’s Biggest Sailing Yacht
As of today, the biggest yacht in the world belongs to Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko. It goes by the mysterious name ‘A’ and cannot be chartered. However, it’s not a ‘sailing yacht’ since it uses a diesel-electric engine for its propulsion. So among the super-yachts that use wind power for propulsion, the largest one is Koru, belonging to Jeff Bezos. Let’s have a look at how Silenseas or Corinthian compares to the 6 largest yachts.
| Yacht | Length (m/ft) | Gross Tonnage (GT) | Speed (knots) | Owner | Charter Availability | Charter Price (per week) | Year Launched | Builder | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orient Express | 220m / 722ft | 25,200 | 15 | Accor | Planned for luxury cruises | N/A | 2026 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | hybrid: wind power + LNG |
| Sailing Yacht A | 143m / 468ft | 12,558 | 16 | Andrey Melnichenko | No | N/A | 2017 | Nobiskrug | Diesel-electric |
| Koru | 127m / 417ft | 3,493 | 17 | Jeff Bezos | No | N/A | 2021 | Oceanco | hybrid |
| Black Pearl | 107m / 350ft | 2,864 | 30 | Oleg Burlakov | Yes | ≈250,000 | 2018 | Oceanco | DynaRig (wind power) |
| EOS | 93 m / 305 ft | 1,500 | 16 | Barry Diller | No | N/A | 2006 | Lürssen | hybrid: wind power + diesel engine |
| Athena | 90m / 295ft | 1,177 | 19 | James H. Clark | Yes | ≈$324,000 | 2004 | Royal Huisman | wind power |
| Maltese Falcon | 88m / 289ft | 1,100 | 18 | Late Tom Perkins | Yes | ≈€490,000 | 2006 | Perini Navi | DynaRig (wind power) |
| Sea Eagle II | 81m / 266ft | 1,150 | 22 | Dr. Samuel Yin | No | N/A | 2020 | Royal Huisman | Caterpillar engines (diesel) |
As we can see, the Accor yacht is the longest and the heaviest, which in due turn, affects its speed — it is definitely not the fastest. As for the sailing experience, 3 of them (Black Pearl, Maltese Falcon, and Athena) are available for charter. Here’s what they offer in terms of accommodations and amenities:
| Orient Express | Black Pearl | Maltese Falcon | Athena | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodations | 130 guests, 54 suites | 10 guests, 5 cabins | 12 guests, 6 cabins | 10 guests, 5 cabins |
| Dining & Entertainment | 2 restaurants, speakeasy bar, amphitheatre-cabaret, private recording studio | fly bridge, veranda area, main deck | dining room, bar, sky lounge | salon and sky lounge |
| Leisure & Wellness | 2 pools (including lap pool), wellness areas, sun decks | jacuzzi, gym, movie theatre, sauna, hammam, water sports equipment | gym, spa, water sports equipment, jacuzzi, projector, water sports equipment | library, gym, water sports equipment |
| Design & Ambiance | 1930s French Riviera by Maxime d’Angeac | modern design with eco-friendly technologies | a blend of classic and contemporary | traditional maritime with wood finishes |
So OE Corinthian or Slienseas is positioned as the ‘world’s largest sailing yacht’. While this is technically correct since it uses sails in its hybrid propulsion, it should be viewed more as a ‘luxury cruise ship’, as it’s not available for private charter. Furthermore, in terms of the experience and amenities, while being a sailing yacht, it provides a lot more services and amenities than all of the existing super yachts.
Nautical Luxury
While being a giant amongst the super yachts, Silenseas (or Corinthian) is quite tiny compared to the 5 most luxurious cruise ships. Only Scenic Eclipse, though substantially longer, can compare to OE in size. All other ships are somewhat 5 times bigger. Except for the size, what truly sets Corinthian apart is the exceptional crew-to-passenger ratio:
| Cruise Line | Ship | Year | Gross Tonnage (GT) | Passengers | Crew | Crew-to-Passenger Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Seven Seas Splendor | 2020 | 55,254 | 750 | 542 | 1:1.38 |
| Seabourn Cruise Line | Seabourn Ovation | 2018 | 40,350 | 600 | 450 | 1:1.33 |
| Scenic Luxury Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 2019 | 17,085 | 228 | 176 | 1:1.3 |
| Explora Journeys | Explora I | 2023 | 63,900 | 922 | 640 | 1:1.44 |
| Crystal Cruises | Crystal Serenity | 2003 (Refurbished 2023) | 68,870 | 740 | 655 | 1:1.13 |
| Accor | Orient Express Silenseas | Planned 2026 | 25,200 | 130 | 170 | 1:0.76 |
The in-room amenities are pretty similar across different lines – king-size beds, walk-in closets, and marble bathrooms. Though Crystal Serenity offers a personal refrigerator, which is quite unusual for the luxury level of accommodations. Corinthian stands out in terms of its suite sizes.
| Ship | Suite Sizes ( ft2) | Suite Sizes (m2) | In-Room | Butler/Concierge Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Seas Splendor | 307 – 4,443 | 28.5 – 412.8 | private balcony, marble bathroom, walk-in closet, king-size bed, flat-screen TV | butler service for penthouse and above |
| Seabourn Ovation | 295 – 1,397 | 27.4 – 129.8 | private veranda, queen or king-size bed, walk-in closet, living area, flat-screen TV | personal suite stewardess |
| Scenic Eclipse | 344 – 2,099 | 32 – 195.1 | private veranda, king-size bed, separate lounge, Dyson hairdryer, pillow menu, butler’s pantry | butler service for all suites |
| Explora I | 377 – 3,014 | 35 – 280.1 | private terrace, walk-in closet, Dyson hairdryer, espresso machine, personal mini-bar, king-size bed | hosts and concierges |
| Crystal Serenity | 269 – 1,368 | 25 – 127.1 | private veranda, walk-in closet, king-size bed, flat-screen TV, personal refrigerator | butler service for penthouse and above |
| Orient Express | 505 – 10,225 | 47 – 950 | private terrace, walk-in closet, king-size bed, marble bathrooms | butler service for all suites |
Onboard Activities and Entertainment
Even being much smaller in size, the Accor sailing yacht aligns well with the leading luxury cruise providers. They all offer quite a similar range of entertainment activities – lectures, workshops, and live shows.
| Ship | Enrichment programs | Theaters and shows | Recreational facilities | Spa and wellness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Seas Splendor | lectures, workshops, culinary classes | Constellation Theater (Broadway-style shows), live music | pool, fitness center, sports deck (golf net, shuffleboard, paddle tennis) | Serene Spa & Wellness (massages, treatments, sauna) |
| Seabourn Ovation | Seabourn Conversations (guest speakers), cooking demonstrations | Grand Salon (shows, concerts), live piano | pool, fitness center, marina day (water sports from ship’s marina) | The Spa at Seabourn (thermal suite, treatments, salon) |
| Scenic Eclipse | discovery lectures, photography sessions, cooking classes | theatre (performances, movies), live music | indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, helicopter, submarine, kayaks, zodiacs | Senses Spa (therapies, yoga, pilates, infrared sauna) |
| Explora I | guest speakers, art workshops, wine tastings | Explora Lounge (live entertainment), Journeys Lounge (performances) | pools (indoor, outdoor, infinity), fitness center, sports court, culinary kitchen | Ocean Wellness (spa treatments, fitness classes, meditation) |
| Crystal Serenity | Crystal Visions Enrichment Program (lectures), Computer University@Sea, wine tastings | Galaxy Lounge (production shows), Stardust Club (dancing, live music), Hollywood Theatre (movies) | pool, fitness center, paddle tennis, golf driving nets, putting green | Crystal Life Spa (massages, acupuncture, salon) |
| Orient Express | TBA | Amphitheatre-Cabaret (live performances, themed shows) | 2 pools (1 lap pool), fitness center | spa treatments, meditation rooms |
Only Scenic Eclipse sets itself apart with adventurous recreational facilities like helicopters and a submarine.
Shore Excursions and Itineraries
The itineraries may vary, these are only examples found across different platforms. Looking closer, one can tell that the Mediterranean is the most widely served region. Though the itineraries show slight variations: Seven Seas and Crystal offer world cruises, and Seabourn and Explora cater to Northern Europe.
| Ship | Itineraries | Shore Excursions |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Seas Splendor | – World Cruises: 140-night voyage visiting 40 countries and 73 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. – Mediterranean Voyages: Rome, Barcelona, and the Greek Isles. – Caribbean Journeys: St. Barts, Antigua, and the Bahamas. | – Gourmet Explorer Tours: master chef-led experiences featuring market visits and culinary classes. – UNESCO Partner Tours: guided visits to World Heritage Sites |
| Seabourn Ovation | – Northern Europe: St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm. – Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. – Caribbean: Barbados, St. Lucia, and Grenada. | – Ventures by Seabourn: guided kayak and Zodiac tours – UNESCO World Heritage Tours |
| Scenic Eclipse | – Polar Regions: Antarctica and the Arctic Circle. – Mediterranean: French Riviera, Italian coast, and Greek Islands. – Australia’s Kimberley Coast | – Helicopter flights in Kimberley region in Australia, the Arctic, and Antarctica. – Scenic Neptune submarine |
| Explora I | – Mediterranean: Routes through the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, and Western Mediterranean. – Northern Europe: Including the Norwegian fjords and Baltic capitals. | – Caminito del Rey – Sintra 4×4 Adventure: through Sintra-Cascais Natural Park |
| Crystal Serenity | – World Cruises: Extended voyages across multiple continents. – Regional Journeys: Focused sailings in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. | – Kyoto‘s Temples and Gardens (Osaka, Japan) – Glacier Trekking in Alaska (Juneau, USA) – Machu Picchu Expedition (Callao, Peru) |
| Orient Express Silenseas | – Mediterranean: French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Islands, and Turkey. – Caribbean: Bahamas, Netherlands Antilles, Cuba, Dominican Republic, USVI, and BVI. | TBA |
Yet again Scenic Eclipse sets itself apart not only with its helicopters and a submarine but with the itineraries unexpected for a luxury cruise — the Arctic Circle and Kimberley region of Australia.
Degree of Adventure
Since this is an adventure blog, all we are interested in are the adventures. Here’s a subjective rating of adventure level offered by each of the lines:
- High Adventure:
- Scenic Eclipse: helicopter tours, submarine dives, and Zodiac expeditions.
- Seabourn Ovation: Ventures by Seabourn with Zodiac tours and kayaking.
- Moderate Adventure:
- Explora I: outdoor exploration, such as hiking and off-road adventures.
- Crystal Serenity: activities like glacier trekking.
- Low Adventure:
- Seven Seas Splendor: cultural and culinary experiences, without physical exertion.
Pricing and Inclusions
OE Corinthian prices have not yet been released to the public. We can only compare the prices for the luxury cruises that are in operation already. All of them include quite a wide range of services like high-speed Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, selection of drinks (alcoholic as well), gratuities, access to spa and gym, onboard entertainment. The list can go on and on.
| Ship | Starting Price per Night (per person) | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Seas Splendor | $1,000 / €920 / £800 | – free valet laundry service – free shore excursions (selected) |
| Seabourn Ovation | $600 / €570 / £472 | – in-suite bar stocked with guest preferences |
| Scenic Eclipse | $1,800 / €1,711 / £1,417 | – use of e-bikes for shore excursions |
| Explora I | $413 / €393 / £325 | |
| Crystal Serenity | $1,400 / €1,330 / £1,102 |
The services that are typically not included are premium spirits, spa treatments, and shore excursions. But not for Seven Seas, as they provide some shore excursions free of charge, as well as the valet laundry services.
Sustainability
Environmental impact is usually the major reason why people prefer not to go on cruises. As we can see below all the operating luxury cruise ships use diesel-electric engines for propulsion.
| Ship Name | Propulsion System | Environmental Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Seas Splendor | Diesel-electric propulsion with azipods | Advanced wastewater treatment; energy-efficient systems |
| Seabourn Ovation | Diesel-electric propulsion with azipods | Exhaust gas cleaning systems; energy-saving lighting |
| Scenic Eclipse | Diesel-electric propulsion with azipods | Dynamic positioning system; advanced wastewater treatment |
| Explora I | Diesel-electric propulsion | Energy-efficient design; advanced wastewater treatment |
| Crystal Serenity | Diesel-electric propulsion | Advanced wastewater treatment; energy-efficient operations |
| Orient Express Silenseas | Hybrid propulsion system: liquefied natural gas (LNG) + ‘SolidSail’ system. | Wind-assisted propulsion; reduced emissions through sail power |
While they do employ advanced waste-water management and energy-saving technologies, these efforts are nowhere close to the wind power. So you can say that the Orient Express sailing yacht (or luxury cruise ship) aims to be the most environment-friendly for a boat of its size and passenger capacity.
Though the specific itineraries are yet to be known, we can definitely tell that a trip on Corinthian or Silenseas is going to become the longest Orient Express journey.
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