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A New Chapter Begins for Orient Express at Sea

A milestone for the most luxurious brand of the Accor ecosystem, and a new perspective on luxury hospitality.

May 05, 2026

Orient Express Corinthian, the world's largest sailing yacht was named on April 29, 2026 in Saint-Nazaire. Flying the French flag, this 220-meter sailing ship heralds a new era of travel, uniting French decorative craftsmanship with cutting-edge naval innovation. Following the ceremony, the yacht set sail for the French Riviera ahead of her inaugural Mediterranean season.

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. 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 now proudly showcases the very best of French expertise and craftsmanship.

Sébastien Bazin

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accor

A Technological Feat Under Sail

Orient Express Corinthian is born of the collaboration between Orient Express and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, a world reference in naval engineering. This 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 are fully automated and capable of delivering 100% wind-powered propulsion in favorable conditions. This revolutionary system is complemented by 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 doing away with the need to anchor.

  • 100%

    made in France

  • 720

    ft length

  • 110

    guests

  • 54

    suites

  • 100%

    European equipment

  • 9000t

    emissions avoided/year

The fruit of ten years of research and development, Orient Express Corinthian is a concrete, technical response to the decarbonization challenges facing maritime transport.

Laurent Castaing

Chief Executive Officer of Chantiers de l'Atlantique

A Setting for Hospitality and the Finest French Craftsmanship

Named a century after the launch of the Île-de-France, in the very shipyard that also gave rise to the legendary Normandie, Orient Express Corinthian seeks to bring French craftsmanship to the world stage and elevate the art of travel.

Her interiors draw on the golden age of travel, the age of the Orient Express train and the great ocean liners, rendered in a spare, contemporary idiom. For this vessel entirely built in France, close to 2,000 craftsmen, artists and ateliers contributed to shaping the project to bespoke specifications, following the vision set by architect Maxime d'Angeac, Orient Express Creative Director.

Accommodations

Orient Express Corinthian accommodates 54 suites, ranging from 45 to 230 m², distributed across four decks. Each suite features a 3.60-meter panoramic window and deckhead heights raised by 25 cm above current industry standards. Leathers, precious wood veneers and marbles compose an interior of quiet refinement. A dedicated butler attends each cabin.

Restaurants

Five restaurants and private dining rooms are placed under the culinary direction of multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno.

Culinary Masterpieces

Under the vision of multi-Michelin-starred Chef Yannick Alléno, each dish becomes part of an unforgettable culinary journey on board.

Wellness Areas

The Guerlain spa, a 16.5-metre swimming lane, a pool and a marina are at passengers' disposal throughout the voyage.

Bars

Eight bars, including an Art Deco speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret and a recording studio complete the offering.

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, she will welcome her sister-yacht, Orient Express Olympian, currently being fitted out in Saint Nazaire. Together, they will unveil a new collection of itineraries, extending the range to the eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

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Orient Express Corinthian

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