Orient Express is expanding its wind-powered sailing yacht routes with new Mediterranean, UK and Northern Europe itineraries. Jenny Southan reports

Orient Express has announced a new set of sailing yacht itineraries for 2027, marking the arrival of a second vessel and a broader European focus. The expansion builds on the brand’s move into the maritime space and follows its first planned sailing season in the Mediterranean and Caribbean in 2026.

The luxury travel brand, best known for its historic trains, will operate two sailing yachts from 2027: Orient Express Corinthian (the world’s largest sailing yacht) and her sister vessel, Orient Express Olympian.

Together, they will introduce new routes across the Mediterranean, the UK and Northern Europe, with itineraries shaped around prevailing winds to reduce fuel use and environmental impact.

Orient Express says this wind-led approach allows the yachts to rely more heavily on sail power, while also creating journeys that follow natural maritime rhythms rather than fixed cruise schedules. Routes are designed to be flexible, with sailing conditions influencing the pace and flow of each voyage.

In the Mediterranean, the 2027 season will extend beyond established routes along the Côte d’Azur, the Italian Riviera and the Adriatic. New itineraries include voyages through Greece and Türkiye, linking major ports with smaller islands and coastal destinations.

One route sails from Piraeus to Istanbul, travelling through the Aegean Sea and the Sporades before entering the Bosphorus. Another connects Valletta and Piraeus via the Ionian Islands and the Peloponnese, calling at locations including Cephalonia, Navarino Bay, Monemvasia and Hydra.

Further north, Orient Express will introduce itineraries around the UK and Northern Europe. One sailing runs from London to Honfleur via the English Channel, stopping at Torquay, Cowes and Saint-Malo before reaching the Seine estuary.

Another travels from London to Copenhagen, following Britain’s east coast to Edinburgh and Aberdeen before crossing to Norway and sailing through the Oslofjord. A reverse route from Copenhagen to London includes Norwegian fjords and North Sea crossings before returning to the Thames.

Both yachts have been designed to feel closer in scale to private vessels than traditional cruise ships. Each carries 54 suites, all with private terraces or large panoramic windows. Public areas include dining spaces, wellness facilities and lounges that open out towards the sea, creating a sense of space and continuity between indoor and outdoor areas.

The interiors are overseen by architect Maxime d’Angeac, artistic director of Orient Express. His design draws on early twentieth-century rail travel and ocean liners, reworked for a contemporary setting. French craftspeople have contributed to furnishings and finishes throughout the yachts, with an emphasis on durability and long-term use rather than decorative excess.

Onboard dining will be led by menus created by Yannick Alléno, whose approach focuses on seasonal ingredients and regional references linked to each route. Wellness experiences are developed in partnership with Guerlain, with treatments designed to fit into sea days rather than structured spa programmes. Shore excursions are curated to prioritise smaller group experiences and access to less crowded coastal areas.

From a technical perspective, both yachts are equipped with advanced sailing and propulsion systems designed to limit emissions. They use SolidSail technology, with rigid sails mounted on tall, tilting masts that can provide full sail propulsion in favourable conditions. The project is the result of a partnership between Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, combining hotel operations with large-scale shipbuilding expertise.

The sailing yachts form part of a wider expansion of the Orient Express brand, which now spans trains, hotels and maritime travel.

Recent launches include the Orient Express La Minerva hotel in Rome and the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train in Italy. The Orient Express Venezia hotel at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli will debut in 2026.

The sailing yachts represent the brand’s most significant move into slow travel at sea, aimed at travellers seeking longer journeys with fewer ports and a greater emphasis on the journey itself.

Reservations for the 2027 sailing season are now open, with pricing and exact departure dates varying by itinerary.

Since 2022, Orient Express has been part of Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury hospitality brands. In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express.