Orient Express Sailing Yachts: the back story

About Orient Express Sailing Yachts: the back story

By the ULTIMATE the world’s cruise lines Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Orient Express Corinthian was built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, floated out in June 2025, received her masts in September 2025 and was named on 29 April 2026. Her inaugural voyages began in May 2026.

From the rails to the sea

For more than a century the Orient Express has meant one thing: the art of travelling slowly and beautifully. Its sailing yachts carry that idea onto the water. The project has been led for three decades, in the brand’s words, by its architect and creative director, Maxime d’Angeac, whose interiors mix Art Deco with the light of the Riviera.

Built at Saint-Nazaire

Orient Express Corinthian was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire. She was floated out in June 2025, her three masts were stepped in September 2025, and she was named on 29 April 2026, flying the French flag. Her inaugural voyages began in May 2026, and the keel of her sister, Orient Express Olympian, was laid in November 2025.

With only 54 suites, every one with a view of the sea.

Sails made of glass

Corinthian is 220 metres long and 16,000 metric tons, and she sails. Her three SolidSails are rigid panels of carbon-reinforced glass fibre rather than cloth, each of 1,500 square metres, engineered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, on masts that give her an air draft of 100 metres.

54 suites, 110 guests

There are only 54 suites, all with views of the sea: bay-windowed Panoramique suites on Decks 4 and 5, Suites with Terrace on Decks 5 and 6, and six Penthouse Suites on Deck 7 whose terraces can be joined into one private deck. Butler service runs throughout.

A floating Parisian address

Dining is led by Yannick Alléno, whom the brand describes as a multi-starred Michelin chef, at La Table de l’Orient-Express, with La Terrasse beneath its double staircase, L’Ecrin for shellfish, L’Encre at a seafood counter and La Perle for private dinners. There is Le Wagon Bar with Lalique lamps, a 1920s speakeasy, a pub-style Yacht Club, a library of 1,500 books, a 20-seat cinema, a music salon with a resident duo, and Le SPA by Guerlain.

Where she sails

Corinthian spends winter in the Caribbean, from St Barth and Saint-Martin to the Grenadines, and summer in the Mediterranean, from Andalusia and Morocco to the Riviera, Sicily, the Cyclades and Istanbul. Her 2027 programme adds Greece, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and Northern Europe.

Our advice: choose a voyage that includes a Marina Day, and book La Table on your first night aboard.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Orient Express Sailing Yachts: the back story before you go.