Jun 25, 2026 – 5.00am“Designing a ship is different because the sea is alive,” says Maxime d’Angeac, the Paris-based architect brought on to help Orient Express take to the ocean. “On land, architecture is static but at sea, the experience evolves every minute with the weather, the sky, the reflections of the water. It becomes emotional and almost cinematic.”D’Angeac is among a line-up of top-tier designers who’ve lately entered the water as cruise lines deploy their talents on new ships. Setting the pace are the luxury travel brands that are moving into cruising, starting with Orient Express, the train company with a reputation for opulent journeys from Paris to Istanbul – think butlers and dressing for dinner. In 2025, they branched out to hotels with the Orient Express La Minerva in Rome.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Anna McCooeSenior travel writerAnna McCooe is The Australian Financial Review’s senior travel writer.Fetching latest articles
Why the world’s top designers are taking to the high seas
It’s a big year for beautiful ships as some of the world’s leading designers turn their attention to cruising.
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