The Orient Express Corinthian has reached a key milestone at the shipyard, representing both a technical achievement and a significant step forward in the construction program. The yacht has been officially launched: this operation marks the transition of the world's largest sailing yacht from the structural construction phase to the integration of systems and finishing, and its official debut on the water.
After four and a half months of assembly by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique teams in Saint-Nazaire, the yacht left the construction dry dock and was moved to the outfitting pier to begin its final phase.
Built from fourteen structural blocks and crowned with three ball-and-socket masts, which give it an elegant silhouette, the vessel will float for the first time. The valves will be opened, the dock will be filled with water, and once the yacht is afloat, tugboats will guide it along a predetermined route to its berth at the dock where the final outfitting and decoration work will begin.
A triumph of engineering and artistry, the Orient Express Corinthian is the fruit of a visionary collaboration between Orient Express and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, a world leader in naval innovation. Designed with grandeur and purpose, the ship represents a perfect fusion of exquisite refinement and cutting-edge innovation: two hallmarks of French excellence. It is destined to redefine the standards of luxury cruising. The world's largest sailing ship will set sail in June 2026, beginning its voyages in the Mediterranean and Adriatic before crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Its sister ship, the Orient Express Olympian, will join in the summer of 2027.
With extraordinary dimensions—220 meters in length, designed for comfort—and three imposing masts supporting 1,500 m² of rigid sails, this yacht impresses not only with its size: it is a pioneer. The Orient Express Corinthian is the first sailing yacht equipped with the revolutionary SolidSail propulsion system, complemented by a hybrid system powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), all with the aim of achieving near-zero emissions cruising.
An AI-powered floating object detection system aims to minimize the risk of collisions with marine mammals, while dynamic positioning technology eliminates the need for anchoring, thus protecting the fragile seabed. Every aspect of the yacht's design has been carefully considered to protect the oceans it sails.
The architect Maxime d'Angeac, Artistic Director of Orient Express, has conceived a refined interior that reinterprets the golden age of train travel with a contemporary and elevated sensibility, evoking the grandeur of legendary ocean liners such as the Normandie, and featuring the finest French craftsmen.
The yacht has 54 suites, ranging from 45 to 230 m², all with large panoramic windows or private terraces, high ceilings and unusual spaciousness at sea.
With five restaurants and private spaces for exclusive dining, the Orient Express Corinthian takes culinary art at sea to a new level, under the direction of multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, current Executive Chef of both the train and the sailing Orient Express.
From May to October 2026, the Orient Express Corinthian will sail the Mediterranean and the Adriatic on 27 unique itineraries, ranging from two-night getaways to fourteen-day voyages, with combinable routes for tailor-made trips. Sailing will follow the most favorable winds, minimizing environmental impact and offering a true sailing experience.
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