Cruise

Steel cutting begins for luxury yacht Orient Express Corinthian

Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique recently celebrated a highly symbolic dual ceremony, opening a new chapter for Orient Express Sailing Yachts.

In true maritime tradition, the keel laying and coin placement ceremonies were held, marking the official birth of Orient Express Corinthian, the largest sailing yacht in the world.

The sailing yacht’s keel laying took place at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, just 10 months after the cutting of the first steel plate.

Over the next two months, 13 further steel hull blocks and three balestron blocks will be meticulously lifted and assembled by two large gantry cranes to form the ship’s metallic hull which will be launched in June. Once completed, the ship will be transferred to an outfitting dock for the ultimate phase of its construction until delivery.

About Orient Express Corinthian

Orient Express Corinthian spans 220 meters long and develops 4,500 m² of sails spread across three tilting masts, reaching 100 meters above sea level.  The SolidSail concept has been developed over the past ten years by Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Under optimized wind conditions, the ship will be able to navigate under sails only and reach speeds of up to 17 knots, even exceeding the standard engine propulsion speed. The highest attention has been paid to set new standards for environmentally friendly operations and design.

The hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind power with a state-of-the-art powerplant running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Orient Express’ Commitment to sustainability has resulted in numerous additional state of the art equipment such as an advanced AI detection system intended to protect marine mammals by avoiding collisions and minimizing underwater noise pollution, or a dynamic positioning technology that reduces the yacht’s impact on the seabed by eliminating the need to drop anchor in shallow  sensitive areas. Together, these efforts ensure a harmonious relationship with the ocean and its ecosystems. Orient Express Corinthian’s itineraries have also been developed to take advantage of the wind with special works in progress developed together with routing specialists coming in from the international sail racing world.

Sailing June 2026

Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled to set sail in June 2026 with itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and the Caribbean. A technological jewel engineered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, this exceptional sailing yacht features a sleek and elegant profile, completed with stunning interiors designed by Maxime d’Angeac, Artistic Director of Orient Express.

Orient Express Corinthian will propose 54 suites with panoramic openings to the sea, including six exceptional penthouse suites on deck 7, all of unforeseen sizes in the cruise market. With an exceptional crew ratio, the ship will offer five restaurants, eight bars and lounges, an amphitheater, cinema room, recording studio and a sophisticated spa wellness center.