The world's largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian, has been officially launched following a naming ceremony at Saint-Nazaire, France, and is now positioning for her inaugural cruise.

Flying the French flag, this 220-metre sailing ship ushers in a new era of travel, or perhaps evokes nostalgia for an old one among those voyagers who feel that the romance of travel has been lost.

The yacht draws inspiration from the golden age of travel, reinterpreting the spirit of the original Orient Express trains and early 20th-century ocean liners in a contemporary setting.

The location for the ceremony a few days ago was the historic Joubert graving dock, a landmark of French industrial heritage. Built during the interwar period and once used for fitting-out legendary liners such as the Île-de-France and Normandie, the dock provided a symbolic bridge between past and future.

The Corinthian forms part of a wider transformation of the Orient Express brand, which has expanded beyond its legendary trains into hotels and now maritime travel, since joining the Accor Group in 2022.

Chairman and CEO of Accor, Sébastien Bazin, said that bringing Orient Express to the sea fitted naturally within the imagination of the legendary brand. "Orient Express Corinthian embodies this vision with majesty and boldness," he said. "Thanks to its sail-powered propulsion, its spaces enhanced by rare materials and by offering a unique experience designed for an international clientele, we have met a threefold challenge: industrial, architectural and artistic."

A technological feat under sail

Orient Express Corinthian is the result of a collaboration between Orient Express and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, a world-leading designer and builder of ships. The 15,000-tonne, 720-foot vessel brings together the French art de vivre and the most advanced shipbuilding of the age.

She is the first cruise ship equipped with the SolidSail wind propulsion system, developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Her three rigs, each spanning 1,500 square metres and rising to over 320 feet, are fully automated and capable of delivering 100 per cent wind-powered propulsion in favourable conditions. Rotating through 360 degrees, they maintain optimal trim on any point of sail, whatever the wind direction. With carbon masts that cant to 70 degrees, the ship clears the world's most significant bridges without difficulty. 

Sea trials conducted in February confirmed her performance: in 20 knots of wind, the vessel made 12 knots under sail alone – a first for a ship of this size. The ship has hybrid liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion and numerous energy efficiency features, earning her the best EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) rating in her class, far ahead of any other vessel of comparable size. An AI-assisted detection system continuously monitors for marine mammals and objects in the water to reduce collision risk. Dynamic positioning preserves the seabed by eliminating the need to anchor.

The art of living on board

According to Accor, nearly 2,000 craftsmen, artists and their ateliers contributed to the yacht's creation, shaping every detail to bespoke specifications. "The interiors favour a restrained elegance where fine leathers, rare wood veneers and carefully selected marbles create an atmosphere of quiet refinement rather than overt opulence," the company said. 

Orient Express Corinthian accommodates 130 guests in 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square metres, distributed across four decks and supported by a crew of 170. Each suite features a 3.6-metre panoramic window and deckhead heights raised by 25 cm above current industry standards. A dedicated butler attends each cabin.  

Five restaurants and private dining rooms are placed under the culinary direction of multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Eight bars, including an Art Deco speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret and a recording studio complete the offering. The Guerlain spa, a 16.5-metre swimming lane, a pool and a marina are at passengers' disposal throughout the voyage. All is offered on a fully inclusive basis.

Planned itineraries

Following her departure from Saint-Nazaire last week, the ship is heading for the French Riviera before beginning her inaugural season. From May to October 2026, Orient Express Corinthian will sail the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, before crossing the Atlantic in autumn to winter in the Caribbean. In 2027, a new collection of itineraries will extend her range to the eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Itineraries of one to four nights offer a freedom of pace rare in luxury cruising. Each passage can be combined with another to build an entirely bespoke voyage. 

Alongside new hotel openings in Rome and Venice and the launch of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, the Corinthian represents the brand's most ambitious venture yet, bringing its philosophy of travel to the open sea.

Meanwhile, her sister ship, the Orient Express Olympian, is already being fitted out in Saint-Nazaire, signalling the start of a new fleet designed to continue and improve on the innovation.

More information:

www.orient-express.com/en/sailing-yachts

Photos supplied courtesy of Accor