Luxury cruise lines such as Ponant, Seabourn, or Silversea have been around for a long time. Their goal is to provide their guests (mostly adults) with a five-star-hotel experience at sea – and who doesn’t want to travel on board a floating palace? But because cruise travel has grown in popularity in recent years, some high-end brands are also throwing their hats into the ring. That is the case of Ritz-Carlton who launched their first ship, Evrima, in 2022. Four Seasons is also making a go of it with its first yacht taking to the seas in 2026. Even the Orient Express brand (better known, of course, for its extraordinarily opulent trains), is building the world’s largest sailing yacht.
Here’s a look at four luxury cruise ships that launched recently, or will soon be ready to sail. Not only do they look snazzy enough to be featured in a James Bond movie, they are also decked out in some of the most lavish amenities out there. If you think cruising isn’t for you, these ships will change your mind.
Orient Express: OE Corinthian
For its first foray in the world of luxury cruise, Orient Express is not holding back. OE Corinthian, currently being built in the Chantier de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, is expected to be the largest sailing yacht in the world. And sail it will. The OE Corinthian will operate in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean, starting with a Provence and French Riviera journey in June 2026.
What differentiates OE Corinthian from other luxury ships is its very sleek, futuristic look — especially its eye-catching sails. Made of carbon fiber-reinforced glass panels, the 48,437 square feet of sails, will cut the ship’s emission in half.
Inside, there will be 54 suites, able to welcome a maximum of 110 guests. Amenities include multiple bars and restaurants, including one run by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno; a Guerlain spa; a fitness area with sea views; a 54-foot-long swimming lane; a theater; and a tailor shop for all your bespoke clothing needs. There will even be a recording studio so you can play at being a pop star. As expected, the decor throughout is refined and focused on the Art Déco period, just like the brand’s trains.
And because one luxury sailing yacht is hardly enough, Orient Express already has another one in the works: OE Olympian. Keep your eyes peeled.
Four Seasons: Four Seasons I
The first of a fleet of luxury yachts operated by the resort and hotel brand Four Seasons, Four Seasons I will launch in January 2026. The maiden voyage will take place around the Lesser Antilles, including stops in Antigua and St. Lucia. Four Seasons I will sail in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, the Caribbean, and even across the Atlantic. In its first year, the yacht is expected to cover 130 destinations in more than 30 countries and territories – that’s one busy boat.
Looking less like a cruise ship and more like a very large yacht, Four Seasons I will have 15 decks to accommodate 95 spacious suites, 11 food and drink venues, a salt-water pool located on the very aft of the ship, a spa, a fitness center, and more. The largest suite, dubbed the Funnel Suite, will cover no fewer than four floors and be able to host five adults and one child. The suite, with its immense cone-like glass panels will provide guests with 280-degree panoramic views.
Service on board Four Seasons I will certainly be top-notch, considering there will be a ratio of one crew for one guest. Also, the most important member of the staff, the captain, will be no other than celebrity cruise ship captain Kate McCue. You’re going to be in very good hands.
Ritz-Carlton: Luminara
In the past four years, Ritz-Carlton’s been very busy putting together a superb fleet of luxury yachts. The brand launched Evrima in 2022 and Ilma in 2024. In July 2025, Ritz-Carlton will welcome its third ship: Luminara, a superyacht that will welcome up to 452 guests. Luminara’s inaugural season will be in the Mediterranean, but the yacht will move on to bigger things as early as November 2025 for a 13-night voyage around South Africa, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
Luminara will feature 226 suites, all with private terraces so you can take advantage of the fresh air and the gorgeous sea views. There will be five restaurants and seven bars on board, as well as a cigar room, a wine vault, a spa, and a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment. There will even be a children’s area for those who travel with their little ones. The observation terrace on the aft of the yacht promises to be spectacular, but it’ll be hard to beat the elegant pool and sundeck area on deck 10.
Silversea: Silver Ray
Silversea is not a novice in the cruise industry. Started in 1994, the luxury cruise line has a fleet of 12 upscale ships, ranging in size from 51 to 364 suites. In 2023, Silversea launched the first ship in the brand’s new Nova Class: Silver Nova. And Silver Ray quickly followed in 2024. They don’t waste time at Silversea.
While it has a capacity of 728, you’ll never feel crowded on board Silver Ray. The ship is one of the most spacious out there, so even the most frequented areas of the ship don’t feel jam-packed. The extensive use of glass, inside and out, enhances the feeling of space and allows for panoramic views everywhere on the ship. Now, that’s the kind of design ideas we can get behind.
Like any luxury cruise ship worth its salt, Silver Ray has a lavish spa, a fitness center, several lounge areas, a lovely pool, multiple food and drink venues, and even a food lab. In the S.A.L.T Lab, guests can try their hands at cooking some of the culinary specialties from the destinations they visit during their voyage.
Silver Ray travels around the Mediterranean in the summer and moves to the Caribbean in the winter. Guests who are keen to spend many days at sea to enjoy all of the ship’s amenities can even book a transatlantic crossing.
FAQs
Q: When will the Four Seasons 1 yacht launch?
A: The Four Seasons 1 yacht will launch in January 2026.
Q: Does the Ritz-Carlton have other luxury yachts?
A: Yes, the Ritz-Carlton has two other yachts — the brand launched Evrima in 2022 and Ilma in 2024.
Q: What is the passenger capacity at Silver Ray?
A: Silver Ray has a capacity of 728 passengers.
