Orient Express architect describes Accor ship's exclusive interiors

Orient Express Corinthian's interiors are inspired by the classic Orient Express train, which influenced some of the great French ocean liners, Maxime d'Angeac, artistic director of the iconic Orient Express brand, told Seatrade Cruise News in an exclusive interview.

In one especially exciting twist, two sleeping cabins from the Istanbul Orient Express will available to book.

Magnificent assignment

Also in charge of restoring the 17 original Orient Express rail cars dating back to 1929-1930 for a train Accor will revive in 2026, d'Angeac described designing what will be the world's largest sailing ship as a 'magnificent' assignment.

In the words of Accor Group Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin, Orient Express Corinthian is 'meant to offer a unique experience of travel and discovery, a sailboat that draws inspiration from the golden age of luxury cruises, reinvents movement and comfort on the water and is designed to meet the sustainable challenges of tomorrow. A source of pride for all of us.'

Hand in hand with the yard

For d'Angeac it also was a unique partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The Saint-Nazaire yard had never undertaken such a construction before. Orient Express Corinthian is a prototype different from the typical modern cruise ship design, which Bazin didn't want.

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Chantiers de l'Atlantique developed the Silenseas design that harnesses SolidSail technology consisting of three rigid sails, more than 100 meters high, each with a surface area of more than 1,500 square meters, able to provide up to 100% of the propulsion power in suitable conditions, plus an LNG-powered engine.

'Everything is out of the ordinary,' d'Angeac said, and there was the technical challenge to fit everything in on time.

The Orient Express spirit at sea RENDERING @ALIXE LAY/ORIENT EXPRESS

'Usually, you don't have the opportunity to get involved in the design process within the yards. Here, we were able to participate in everything, from the start — to work on the concept of the swimming pools, the public spaces, the position of the spa, the elevators, the stairs, the double-height decks,the size of the windows, the height of the railings,' d'Angeac said. 'All while remaining in the design logic of Chantiers, which is responsible for the ship.'

The Orient Express spirit at sea

He continued: 'The immensity of the sea, its movement, the ship as object, it was an absolutely incredible playground. And the train, at the time a true technical innovation in the world of travel, was a boundless source of inspiration. It was the first to combine long distance voyages, total comfort and luxury at the beginning of the 20th century.'

The train influenced ocean liner design. French interior designer Rene Prou, central figure of the Art Deco movement who was involved in planning Orient Express, also participated later in the interior design of luxury ocean liners such as the Île de France and the legendary Normandie.

'In fact, Orient Express invented this style of voyage 140 years ago,' d'Angeac said.

A contemporary vision of Art Deco

Orient Express Corinthian, he continued, 'represents a contemporary vision of the Orient Express brand, where high quality and excellence meet revolutionized aesthetics.' Only the finest woods, leather and marble were used all over the ship.

A Corinthian suite daybed and desk, left, and a suite bed RENDERING: @ALIXE LAY/ORIENT EXPRESS

All the suites are unique, with individual charm, taking influence from the classic decorative style of Orient Express. Everything is custom-made.

'We worked with the best craftsmen,' d'Angeac said, 'masters of their art' who were carefully sought out by the designer.

Exacting details and craftsmanship RENDERING: @ALIXE LAY/ORIENT EXPRESS

The entire project is conceived as a 'total work of art' with exacting detail and no item that would be out of place with the legendary Orient Express brand.

Light-filled suites

Of the 54 suites (45 square meters to 230 square meters), 48 are located on Decks 4, 5 and 6, where the volumes of these decks let more light than on a train, making for a much brighter Art Deco style.

A suite bathroom RENDERING: @ALIXE LAY/ORIENT EXPRESS

Deck 7 holds six exceptional ones. 'We have imagined what the Orient Express could look like in 2050, very contemporary but still with the same parameters of comfort,' d'Angeac said. They are light-filled, with panoramic windows 3.6 meters wide and 1.7 meters high that provide 'incredible views.'

Corinthian also offers five elegant restaurants, all different, as are the eight bars including a speakeasy inspired by the 1930s. The 115-seat theatre recalls Parisian cabarets. Very complex technically, it benefits from exceptional technology since Accor has acquired the famous Lido on the Champs-Elysées and can emulate its advanced stagecraft at sea.

A recording studio, cinema and spa round out the public spaces. The aft marina can host dinners or water activities and the 16.6mtr-long pool on Deck 6 enables lap swimming.

Stay in a historic Istanbul Orient Express cabin

Deck 7 holds a real treasure: Two historic sleeping cabins from the Istanbul Orient Express.

'We thought it was a shame not to use them,' d'Angeac said. 'They are reupholstered, with a similar carpet, the same mechanisms, the same ironworks, a porthole in the shape of a window. They are of course available (to book), which is quite exceptional.'

D'Angeac began his career creating scenography for Daum and Hermès, in collaboration with the American designer Hilton McConnico. For the last 20 years, he has taken on prestigious restoration and decoration projects, such as the Maison Guerlain on the Champs-Elysées, and breathed new life into apartments, castles and private villas.

Orient Express Corinthian is set to debut in June 2026. IMAGE: ©ORIENT EXPRESS

Corinthian is scheduled to enter service in June 2026. It will sail the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Caribbean.