Orient Express’s Massive 722-Foot Yacht Was Inspired by Art Deco Design
By Julia Zaltzman
Julia Zaltzman
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Orient Express
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.
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“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 luxury 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.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
