Orient Express Yacht Corinthian & Olympian: Prices, 2026 Sailings & Largest Sailing Yacht Facts

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 of which are housed in meticulously restored historic buildings.

Bibliotheque on board of Orient Express sailing yacht
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

Accor, on the other hand, is redefining the brand. La Dolce Vita train explores Italy’s landscapes. 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 yacht, scheduled to debut in early summer 2026.

2026 Prices, Suites & Launch Dates

The first Orient Express sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian, will make its inaugural voyage on June 6–12, 2026, along the French and Italian Riviera. Accor plans to deploy the sister ship, Orient Express Olympian, in 2027.

Although Accor hasn’t published official fares, credible sources provide early guidance: Travel and Tour World reports that a suite on the six‑night launch cruise costs £52,870 per person.

The French luxury guide Paris Select notes that bookings opened 25 March 2025 and that entry‑level fares are expected to start around €16,800 and climb to €43,000 for the largest suites.

What Is the Orient Express Corinthian (Silenseas)?

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.

Corinthian Factsheet

Dimensions and Design220m / 722ft
Accommodations54 suites from 47m2 / 505ft2 to 950+m2 / 10,255ft2
Amenities2 swimming pools, theater, private recording studio, speakeasy bar
Sustainable Propulsioncombining liquefied natural gas (LNG) with an innovative ‘SolidSail’ system. 3 rigid sails (1,500m2 / 16,000ft2 each), tilting 100m / 328ft masts
Cultural Experiencesartistic heritage of the French Riviera

Corinthian Key Features & Onboard Experience

For its size, the Corinthian is unusually facility-heavy. It is reported to have 5 restaurants, 8 bars, 2 pools, a cabaret, a cinema, and a recording studio.

Speakeasy bar on Orient Express sailing yacht
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

By contrast, other boutique ships such as SeaDream I and II typically carry just 2 restaurants and 1 small pool, while Scenic Eclipse offers 1 plunge pool but no large lap lane.

ShipTheaters and showsRecreational facilitiesSpa and wellness
Seven Seas SplendorConstellation Theater (Broadway-style shows), live musicpool, fitness center, sports deck (golf net, shuffleboard, paddle tennis)Serene Spa & Wellness (massages, treatments, sauna)
Seabourn OvationGrand Salon (shows, concerts), live pianopool, fitness center, marina day (water sports from the ship’s marina)The Spa at Seabourn (thermal suite, treatments, salon)
Scenic Eclipsetheatre (performances, movies), live musicindoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, helicopter, submarine, kayaks, zodiacsSenses Spa (therapies, yoga, pilates, infrared sauna)
Explora IExplora Lounge (live entertainment), Journeys Lounge (performances)pools (indoor, outdoor, infinity), fitness center, sports court, culinary kitchenOcean Wellness (spa treatments, fitness classes, meditation)
Crystal SerenityGalaxy Lounge (production shows), Stardust Club (dancing, live music), Hollywood Theatre (movies)pool, fitness center, paddle tennis, golf netsCrystal Life Spa (massages, acupuncture, salon)
Orient ExpressAmphitheatre-Cabaret (live performances, themed shows)2 pools (1 lap pool), fitness centerspa treatments, meditation rooms

The 54-foot pool, therefore, sets the Corinthian apart, since most yachts under 300 passengers rarely include a true swimming facility.

Design and Inspiration

Maxime d’Angeac’s design leans into Riviera Art Deco of the 1920s–30s. This places it closer to the look of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express rail cars than to contemporary luxury ships like Ritz-Carlton Evrima or Explora I, both of which favor muted modern minimalism.

Seafood restaurant on-board of Corinthian
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

The result will likely appeal to travelers who prefer nostalgia and ornament over the clean-lined style now common in new cruise builds. It is a deliberate throwback rather than an attempt to look futuristic.

Suites

Penthouse master-bedroom OE Corinthian
Photo (c)

The Corinthian and its sister Olympian plan 54 suites each, ranging 45–230 m². To put this in context, SeaDream cabins start at about 18 m², Ritz-Carlton Evrima suites at 29–102 m², and Scenic Eclipse suites at 32–245 m².

ShipSuite Sizes ( ft2)Suite Sizes (m2)In-Room
Seven Seas Splendor307 – 4,44328.5 – 412.8private balcony, marble bathroom, walk-in closet, king-size bed, flat-screen TV
Seabourn Ovation295 – 1,39727.4 – 129.8private veranda, queen or king-size bed, walk-in closet, living area, flat-screen TV
Scenic Eclipse344 – 2,09932 – 195.1private veranda, king-size bed, separate lounge, Dyson hairdryer, pillow menu, butler’s pantry
Explora I377 – 3,01435 – 280.1private terrace, walk-in closet, Dyson hairdryer, espresso machine, personal mini-bar, king-size bed
Crystal Serenity269 – 1,36825 – 127.1private veranda, walk-in closet, king-size bed, flat-screen TV, personal refrigerator
Orient Express505 – 10,22547 – 950private terrace, walk-in closet, king-size bed, marble bathrooms

The duplex layouts for families echo what Scenic has offered in its “Grand Panorama” suites. Size alone doesn’t make the Corinthian stand out, but the private terraces and higher ceilings are consistent with top-tier competitors.

Dining

Restaurant on board of Orient Express yacht
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

Yannick Alléno’s appointment fits Accor’s wider strategy of linking Michelin-level chefs to its brands. For example, he oversees menus at Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris and was involved in Accor’s Raffles and Sofitel projects.

Corinthian Itineraries and Destinations

The Orient Express Corinthian will spend its first season, June 2026 to February 2027, in the Mediterranean before heading across the Atlantic for winter in the Caribbean.

Sailing OE Corinthian
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

Sailings are short by cruise standards, ranging from just 2 nights to a week or slightly longer. The program mixes well-known ports like Marseille, Venice, and Naples with smaller stops such as Propriano in Corsica or Lerici on the Italian coast.

Mediterranean, Summer to Autumn 2026

The Mediterranean schedule is heavy on the French and Italian Riviera, with occasional extensions into Corsica, Sicily, or the Adriatic.

  • Provence & French Riviera (6 nights, June 2026): Marseille, Cannes, Saint-Tropez.
  • Corsica & Liguria (7 nights, June and July 2026): Propriano, Calvi, Saint-Florent, Lerici, Monte Carlo.
  • Italian Riviera & Tyrrhenian Islands (8 nights, July 2026): Portofino, Elba, Sardinia, finishing near Rome.
  • Amalfi Coast & Sicily (8 nights, August 2026): Naples, Capri, Amalfi, Siracusa, Valletta.
  • Adriatic Coast (7 nights, August and September 2026): Dubrovnik, Hvar, Rovinj, Venice.
  • Special events (September 2026): short trips tied to the Venice Film Festival and Monaco Yacht Show.

These itineraries look similar to what lines like SeaDream and Ponant already offer in the region, though the short 2- to 3-night sailings are more unusual, catering to guests who may be combining a cruise with a land-based holiday.

Mediterranean Itineraries of Orient Express Corinthian
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

Caribbean, Winter 2026–27

After October, the ship shifts to the Caribbean, focusing less on large islands and more on smaller ports and private anchorages.

  • Caribbean Private Islands & St Barth (8–9 nights, November 2026–January 2027): includes smaller cays plus time in Gustavia.
  • French West Indies & Windward Islands (7–8 nights, November 2026–February 2027): Martinique, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada.
  • Lesser Antilles circuits (7 nights, November 2026–February 2027): Guadeloupe, Antigua, St Kitts, St Lucia.
  • Short escapes (2–4 nights): quick sailings focused on St Barth, Anguilla, or the BVIs.

The Caribbean routes echo what Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima or SeaDream II already cover, though Corinthian leans more on French West Indies pairings and condensed getaways.

The holiday-season departures in late December and January are clearly aimed at the peak travel period, when demand for St Barth and nearby islands is highest.

World’s Biggest Sailing Yacht

Koru Super 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)
OwnerCharter AvailabilityCharter Price (per week)Year LaunchedBuilderTechnology
Orient Express220m / 722ft25,20015AccorPlanned for luxury cruisesN/A2026Chantiers de l’Atlantiquehybrid: wind power + LNG
Sailing Yacht A143m / 468ft12,55816Andrey MelnichenkoNoN/A2017NobiskrugDiesel-electric
Koru127m / 417ft3,49317Jeff BezosNoN/A2021Oceancohybrid
Black Pearl107m / 350ft2,86430Oleg BurlakovYes≈$250,0002018OceancoDynaRig (wind power)
EOS93 m / 305 ft1,50016Barry DillerNoN/A2006Lürssenhybrid: wind power + diesel engine
Athena90m / 295ft1,17719James H. ClarkYes ≈$324,0002004Royal Huismanwind power
Maltese Falcon88m / 289ft1,10018Late Tom PerkinsYes≈€490,0002006Perini NaviDynaRig (wind power)
Sea Eagle II81m / 266ft1,15022Dr. Samuel YinNoN/A2020Royal HuismanCaterpillar 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.

The pool on board of the Accor's yacht
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

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 ExpressBlack PearlMaltese FalconAthena
Accommodations130 guests, 54 suites10 guests, 5 cabins12 guests, 6 cabins10 guests, 5 cabins
Dining & Entertainment2 restaurants, speakeasy bar, amphitheatre-cabaret, private recording studiofly bridge, veranda area, main deckdining room, bar, sky loungesalon and sky lounge
Leisure & Wellness2 pools (including lap pool), wellness areas, sun decksjacuzzi, gym, movie theatre, sauna, hammam, water sports equipmentgym, spa, water sports equipment, jacuzzi, projector, water sports equipment library, gym, water sports equipment
Design & Ambiance1930s French Riviera by Maxime d’Angeacmodern design with eco-friendly technologiesa blend of classic and contemporarytraditional 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.

The amenities of Orient Express Corinthian
Photo (c) sailing-yachts.orient-express.com

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 LineShipYear Gross Tonnage (GT)Passengers CrewCrew-to-Passenger Ratio
Regent Seven Seas CruisesSeven Seas Splendor202055,2547505421:1.38
Seabourn Cruise LineSeabourn Ovation201840,3506004501:1.33
Scenic Luxury CruisesScenic Eclipse201917,0852281761:1.3
Explora JourneysExplora I202363,9009226401:1.44
Crystal CruisesCrystal Serenity2003 (Refurbished 2023)68,8707406551:1.13
AccorOrient Express CorinthianPlanned 202625,2001301701:0.76

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.

Who owns the Orient Express sailing yachts?

In mid‑2024, Accor formed a strategic partnership with LVMH; LVMH took a 50 % stake and an option to acquire full ownership by 2027

What is the Orient Express Corinthian (also called Silenseas)?

The Orient Express Corinthian is the first of two sailing yachts being built for the brand; during the concept phase, it was referred to as Silenseas, but Accor later confirmed the names Corinthian (launching 2026) and Olympian (2027)

What itineraries and cruises will the Orient Express yacht offer in 2026–27?

In summer 2026, the ship sails in the Mediterranean, offering itineraries such as Provence & French Riviera, Corsica & Liguria, Italian Riviera & Tyrrhenian Islands, Amalfi Coast & Sicily, and Adriatic Coast. From November 2026 through February 2027, the ship repositions to the Caribbean, with sailings such as Caribbean Private Islands & Saint Barth, French West Indies & Windward Islands, Iconic Saint‑Barth & Anguilla, and Lesser Antilles

How much does a voyage on the Orient Express yacht cost?

Accor has not published official prices, but several sources give an idea of the range. The inaugural 6-night sailing in June 2026 is reported at about £52,870 per person for a suite. Industry estimates suggest entry-level fares may begin around €16,800 per person, with top suites reaching €43,000. Some reports put standard cabins closer to €9,200 per week.

Are Orient Express Corinthian and Silenseas the same?

“Silenseas” was the working title used when the sailing yacht project was unveiled. Accor subsequently named the ships Orient Express Corinthian (launching 2026) and Orient Express Olympian (2027) to align with the brand’s rail and hotel heritage.

When will Orient Express sailing yacht start cruising?

The inaugural voyage of Orient Express Corinthian departs 6 June 2026 on a six‑night cruise along the French and Italian Riviera

Pin this for later

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Author Image

Hi! I'm Valeria - the passionate adventurer behind this blog. From retracing historic routes to exploring iconic filming locations and untouched wildlife spots, uncovering the world’s most thrilling journeys.

Learn more

Join the tribe

Travel eSIM
Stay Connected Anywhere
Save 5% with code SAILYBLITZ
Get Your eSIM
Copied!
NordVPN
Secure Every Journey
Get 75% off + 3 extra months
Get Your VPN