Heading off track! Orient Express to introduce world’s largest sailing yacht

Orient Express, a legendary brand known the world over for its magical railway trains, is taking its first step away from land-based travel – instead looking towards the sea. True to form, the company is doing so in the boldest, most exciting of ways, by promising to deliver “the world’s largest sailing yacht”, Orient Express Corinthian. 

Orient Express announced this week that a new collection of Orient Express yachts will be the product of a collaboration between three French titans in luxury. Namely: global hospitality group Accor, luxury goods heavyweights LVMH, and high-end shipbuilders Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The end result? A vast sailing yacht that looks like a cross between the fanciest superyachts you’ll find docked in the marinas of Monte Carlo, and the classically elegant sailing boats of the early 20th century. 

This first new superyacht in the collection, Orient Express Corinthian, will set sail on its maiden voyage in June 2026 and cruise the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean seas.

Designed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Orient Express Corinthian will span an impressive 220m in length (almost 100m longer than the current largest sailing yacht in the world), sporting 4,500 m² of sails. The yacht’s refined decor is said to be inspired by the Orient Express’s golden age, paired with a spirit of innovation and prioritisation of comfort. 

Orient Express Corinthian houses 54 spacious suites, each one set to offer a seriously luxurious hideaway that will offer guests every comfort you could wish for, and then some. 48 of the suites are located on decks four to six, while six premium class suites are situated on deck seven.

Featuring panoramic bay windows to guarantee stunning views, Orient Express Corinthian’s suites have all been designed specifically to open out onto the sea. All rooms are decked out with lavish materials including wood, leather and marble fashioned by talented craftsmen and women across Europe.

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When it comes to dining, five restaurants each possessing a “warm and timeless decor” are found onboard, yet each one said to have its own unique personality. A further eight bars will serve as the ideal pre and post-dinner settings.

Elsewhere on Orient Express Corinthian, a 1930s-style speakeasy, 115-seat cabaret (with a distinct Parisian air, no less), a recording studio, a cinema, and an indulgent spa are sure to provide endless hours of entertainment for guests while at sea. 

A marina at the stern of the boat will offer a glorious setting to enjoy dinners and sea activities right at the water’s edge. Up on deck six, a lengthy swimming pool provides yet another idyllic spot to relax in, and get those all-important lengths in before an evening of revelry ensues.

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Speaking on the sailing yacht’s development, Sébastien Bazin, Accor Group Chairman & CEO says: 

“Harnessing its boundless imagination, Orient Express has conjured up a dreamworld of discoveries, meetings, motion and emotions. With Orient Express Corinthian, the Orient Express legend is now preparing to sail the world’s finest seas offering an unprecedented experience of travel and adventure. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of luxury cruises, the yacht reinvents movement and comfort on the water and is designed to meet the sustainability challenges of the future. It’s a great source of pride for all of us.”

Amid such a flurry of luxury yacht launches from brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, one thing’s for certain: Orient Express Corinthian, with its three remarkable 100m high sails, is truly like no other.

www.orient-express.com