In 1883, the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits revolutionized travel between Europe and Asia with its legendary Orient Express train, the first with sleeping cars and a restaurant on this side of the Atlantic. In 2026, the Orient Express brand, under the control of the hotel group Accor, is revolutionizing ultra-luxury cruises with a groundbreaking sailing ship: the Corinthian.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 77 – June 2026
The Corinthian stands out for its astonishing SolidSail system, designed and patented by Chantiers de l'Atlantique after more than a decade of innovation and development. It features three 69-meter carbon masts, each supporting a rigid sail of 1,500 m². At 220 meters in length, the Corinthian is the longest sailing vessel ever built.
Unlike traditional canvas sails, SolidSail rigid sails are composed of fiberglass, carbon fiber, and epoxy resin panels, framed by carbon fiber spars. This design gives SolidSail ten times the strength of conventional sails, with an estimated lifespan of 20 years—five times that of a fabric sail of equivalent dimensions.
The SolidSail system is based on a specific rigging system called AeolDrive, also developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. This system includes carbon composite masts mounted on a 360° rotating steel boom that optimizes sailing regardless of wind direction. Furthermore, it has a 70° tilting capacity to reduce draft and allow passage under bridges, such as those in New York, which are only 54 meters high, or the Lisbon Bridge, which it passed under in early May with its masts folded.
The sail panels are moved by servomotors under computer control, making the system completely robotic and automated. Deploying the sail takes just seven minutes, while lowering it requires only five.
During the latest propulsion tests, the vessel reached a speed of about 12 knots sailing only under sail, with winds of around 37 km/h, a record that according to the shipyard is unprecedented in a sailboat of this size.
In addition to sails, the vessel is equipped with engines that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest fossil fuel currently available. The structure is designed to integrate green hydrogen as soon as port infrastructure and storage technology allow, ensuring the ship will not become obsolete in just a few years.
Several Spanish companies participated in the design and construction of the Corinthian, including CT Ingenieros, which contributed resources for the modeling and fabrication of the booms with its team in Saint-Nazaire, and oversaw the 3D model of the vessel with its team in Ferrol. Similarly, a Galician company, Martinez Otero Contract, carried out a significant portion of the interior work.
The interior: pure French glamour.
The interior of the Corinthian pays tribute to the Golden Age of the French Riviera, understated glamour, decorative arts and intuitive hospitality.
It's easy to find references to the historic Orient Express train, such as the cinema seats, exact replicas of the originals and manufactured by the same company that produced them for the train. Another example is the Le Wagon bar, which is an exact copy of the train's circular bar.
The nobility of the materials – marble in the bathrooms, leather chairs, wooden furniture and real teak floors – and their weight, required a special permit for their use on a boat, and the head of design, Maxime d'Angeac, tracked down the best artisans in France for months to incorporate the best of French craftsmanship into the boat.
Christened in Saint Nazaire on April 29, the Corinthian premiered its inaugural season in the Mediterranean with an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, before making its debut in Lisbon.
Its luxurious interior will be enjoyed by only 110 guests per all-inclusive voyage, attended by 170 crew members. Yes, there are more crew members than passengers. Its 54 suites range in size from the simplest 47 m2, with panoramic windows but no balcony, to the Agatha Christie suite, with 225 m2 plus a 180 m2 terrace.
The six duplex suites are a highlight, inspired by a Greek billionaire's mansion on the French Riviera. One floor is dedicated to the bedroom and bathroom, while the other houses the living and dining area and terrace. They feature a carpeted spiral staircase, oversized divans, and Hermès-inspired throws, with nautical rope motifs on the ceilings and door handles. The television is concealed behind a faux cabinet, and the speakers are integrated into the headboard to keep the volume discreet.
The bathrooms feature freestanding bathtubs, double washbasins carved from blocks of white onyx, and exclusive Maison D'Orsay toiletries that can only be found at the Corinthian.
In the gastronomic section, the Corinthian has several restaurants under the direction of chef Yannick Alleno, awarded 18 Michelin stars and 12 restaurants around the world.
The flagship restaurant is La Table de l'Orient Express, with just six tables and an extra-high ceiling inspired by the dining room of the SS Normandie, the French ocean liner from the 1930s that was also built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard.
Le Cellier is a wine bar that also serves as a tea room, hosting tastings, workshops, and private events, while Le Ecrin is a restaurant that blends global influences with top-quality fish, shellfish, and seafood, all with stunning ocean views. Further aft is La Terrasse, a panoramic restaurant that combines contemporary and Art Deco design, featuring a grand double staircase that connects to La Piscine, one deck below.
With the exception of La Table, all dining experiences are included in the fare. Most onboard facilities are also included, with the exception of the Guerlain Spa, which features four treatment rooms, a VIP double suite, and a sauna and relaxation room with a terrace. The sauna and relaxation room are available to all passengers, regardless of whether they are receiving a treatment.
There is a library with classic French and English novels, including works by Agatha Christie, Jules Verne, and Ian Fleming, selected by the French bookstore Galignani, and a cabaret-style theater with seating for 115, as well as a cinema with 20 seats that are exact replicas of those on the original Orient Express train, and an onboard recording studio. The studio is available for both guests and professional use when the ship is chartered for private events.
On deck six, under the sails, there is a 16.5-meter indoor swimming pool, while La Piscine, oval and outdoor, is located at the stern of deck five.
The ship has a large stern marina, which makes it possible to swim in the sea when the ship anchors in a quiet cove, and to use its nautical "toys".
Without a doubt, the Corinthian sets the bar for luxury at its highest level, and its sail system could lay the foundation for a more sustainable future in the cruise industry.
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