By
Richard Humphreys |
Orient Express Corinthian has been christened with a ceremony at the Joubert graving dock in Saint-Nazaire, France, on 29 April 2026.
The 220-metre ship eclipses Sailing Yacht A, a 142-metre private vessel owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, as the world’s largest sailing yacht. The new ship is owned and operated by Orient Express Sailing Yachts, designed by architect Maxime d’Angeac and constructed by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Orient Express Corinthian has 54 suites – ranging from 45 to 230 square metres – across four decks. Each suite features a 3.6-metre panoramic window and deckhead heights 25 centimetres above current industry standards. A dedicated butler attends each cabin.
For the interiors, d’Angeac drew inspiration from the golden age of travel, the Orient Express train and famous ocean liners of the 20th century, with the ship fitted with leathers, precious wood veneers and marble.
Orient Express Corinthian has been designed by Maxime d’Angeac, with luxury embedded into every element of the ship (Credit: Orient Express Sailing Yachts)
“For more than 160 years, Chantiers de l’Atlantique has been building ships that define their era,” said Laurent Castaing, chief executive officer at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Orient Express Corinthian is the latest proof of this: 720 feet, 15,000 tonnes carried by the wind, three SolidSail sails… the fruit of 10 years of research and development. It is a concrete, technical response to the decarbonisation challenges facing maritime transport. But above all, it is the work of men and women of exceptional dedication and passion. To them I owe this humble pride. And I thank Orient Express for the trust they placed in us from the very first day of this extraordinary project.”
The ship has five restaurants and private dining rooms, all under the culinary direction of multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. There are eight bars, including an Art Deco speakeasy and a 115-seat cabaret and a recording studio. The ship also features the Guerlain Spa, a 16.5-metre swimming lane, a pool and a marina.
The Guerlain Spa aboard Orient Express Corinthian (Credit: Orient Express Sailing Yachts)
Orient Express Corinthian is equipped with the SolidSail wind propulsion system, developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Its three rigs, each spanning 1,500 square metres and rising to over 320 feet, are fully automated, can rotate 360 degrees and capable of delivering 100 per cent wind-powered propulsion in favourable conditions. With carbon masts that cant to 70 degrees, the ship can clear bridges without difficulty.
The SolidSail system is complemented by LNG propulsion and energy efficiency features, earning it the best energy efficiency design index rating in its class. Also, an artificial intelligence-assisted detection system continuously monitors for marine mammals and objects in the water to reduce collision risk.
The ship’s three rigs each rise to 320 feet, are fully automated, can rotate 360 degrees and can be fully powered by the wind in favourable conditions (Credit: Orient Express Sailing Yachts)
“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 Sébastien Bazin, chairman and chief executive officer of Accor – the parent company of Orient Express. “Orient Express Corinthian embodies this vision with majesty and boldness. 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. This sailing vessel, born from the collaboration and trust built over the past two years between Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, now proudly showcases the very best of French expertise and craftsmanship.”
Following the christening ceremony, the ship will sail from Saint-Nazaire on 2 May for the French Riviera, ahead of its inaugural season. From May to October, Orient Express Corinthian will sail the Mediterranean and Adriatic, before crossing the Atlantic for Caribbean voyages in the autumn and winter months. In 2027, a new collection of itineraries will see the ship sail to the eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.