Corinthian sets sail

Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have marked a major milestone in Saint-Nazaire with the naming of Orient Express Corinthian, the 220-metre sailing yacht billed as the world’s largest sailing yacht.

Photography by Orient Express/© Jean-Marie LIOT

03 July 2026

Flying the French flag, Orient Express Corinthian was officially named on 29 April 2026 at the Joubert graving dock, one of the most storied sites in French shipbuilding. The ceremony brought together maritime tradition, French craftsmanship and next-generation naval engineering ahead of the vessel’s departure for the French Riviera on 2 May.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Orient Express Corinthian measures 720 feet and combines sail-assisted propulsion, hybrid LNG power and extensive energy-efficiency systems. The vessel is the first cruise ship to be fitted with the shipyard’s SolidSail wind propulsion system, developed over a decade of research and development.

The yacht’s three automated rigs each carry 1,500 square metres of sail area and rise to more than 320 feet.

Orient Express Corinthian has been named in Saint-Nazaire ahead of her inaugural Mediterranean season.

Sea trial of the OE Corinthian from Orient Express Company, off Ile d’Yeu (France). Photo © Jean-Marie LIOT / Orient Express

The 220-metre sailing yacht is set to usher in a new era of luxury travel under sail.

Designed to rotate through 360 degrees, the sails can be trimmed for varying wind angles, while carbon masts capable of canting to 70 degrees allow the yacht to clear major bridges.

Sea trials in February 2026 confirmed the vessel’s performance under sail, with Orient Express Corinthian reaching 12 knots in 20 knots of wind using sail power alone.

Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said the yacht represented both technical innovation and the work of the shipyard’s teams.

“For more than one hundred and sixty years, Chantiers de l’Atlantique has been building ships that define their era,” said Castaing. “Orient Express Corinthian is the latest proof of this: 720 feet, 15,000 tonnes carried by the wind, three SolidSail sails … the fruit of ten years of research and development.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accor, said taking Orient Express to sea was a natural extension of the brand’s heritage.

Bringing Orient Express to the sea fits naturally within the imagination of this legendary brand: a journey rooted in discovery, unhurried time, excellence and elegance,” said Bazin.

The interiors have been conceived by architect Maxime d’Angeac, Creative Director of Orient Express, drawing on the golden age of travel, the heritage of the Orient Express train and the great ocean liners. The project involved close to 2,000 craftsmen, artists and ateliers across France.

La Terrasse aboard Orient Express Corinthian combines fine dining, sculptural detailing and ocean views in a refined setting designed for life at sea. Credit: Alice Mesguich.

L’Encre Bar aboard Orient Express Corinthian pairs a sweeping counter with maritime-inspired detailing and panoramic sea views.

The reception area aboard Orient Express Corinthian showcases carved wall panels, polished timber columns and a richly layered interior palette. Credit: Alice Mesguich.

A duplex suite aboard Orient Express Corinthian brings hotel-level comfort to the water, with rich red accents, tailored detailing and layered textures. Credit: Alice Mesguich.

The duplex suite aboard Orient Express Corinthian features classical references, a private stairway and bespoke detailing throughout. Credit: Alice Mesguich.

On board, Orient Express Corinthian accommodates 110 guests in 54 suites across four decks. Suites range from 45 to 230 square metres and include 3.6-metre panoramic windows, increased deckhead heights and dedicated butler service.

Hospitality will include five restaurants and private dining rooms under the culinary direction of multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, alongside eight bars, an Art Deco speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret and a recording studio. Wellness and leisure facilities include a Guerlain spa, a 16.5-metre swimming lane, a pool and a marina.

Following her departure from Saint-Nazaire, Orient Express Corinthian will begin her inaugural Mediterranean and Adriatic season, sailing from May to October 2026 before crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean for winter. In 2027, itineraries will expand to the eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The vessel’s sister yacht, Orient Express Olympian, is currently being fitted out at the Penhoët quay in Saint-Nazaire following her launch on 17 April 2026.

Specifications: Orient Express Corinthian

Yacht: Orient Express Corinthian
Builder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Brand: Orient Express
Length overall: 220 metres / 720 feet
Beam: 83 feet
Draught: 17.8 feet / 36 feet with daggerboard
Tonnage: 26,200 UMS
Speed: 12 knots under motor propulsion or sail
Guests: 110
Suites: 54
Crew: 170
Crew cabins: 160
Flag: France
Classification: Bureau Veritas
Sail system: SolidSail
Sail area: 48,500 square feet
Propulsion: SolidSail wind propulsion with hybrid LNG power
Inaugural season: Mediterranean and Adriatic, May to October 2026
Winter season: Caribbean
Sister yacht: Orient Express Olympian

orient-express.com

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