A century after the golden age of ocean liners, luxury travel has a new icon. The Orient Express Corinthian was officially named at the historic Joubert graving dock in Saint-Nazaire — the same shipyard that once fitted out legendary vessels like the Normandie — before departing for the French Riviera to begin its inaugural Mediterranean season. Built entirely in France with contributions from nearly 2,000 craftsmen and ateliers, the Corinthian is not simply a ship. It is a floating statement about where luxury is headed next.
- Stretching 720 feet and displacing around 15,000 tonnes, the Corinthian accommodates only 130 guests across 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square metres, each with panoramic windows and a dedicated butler — a ratio of space and service that sets an entirely new standard for maritime hospitality
- The vessel is the first cruise ship to deploy the SolidSail system — three rigid sails each spanning 1,500 square metres and rising over 320 feet — allowing it to reach 12 knots under wind power alone, with a hybrid LNG propulsion system providing environmental efficiency without sacrificing performance
- Onboard experiences include five restaurants helmed by multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, an Art Deco speakeasy, a cabaret for 115 guests, a Guerlain spa, a recording studio, and a fully inclusive pricing model designed for seamless, unhurried travel
- Itineraries range from one to four nights and can be combined into fully bespoke journeys, with the 2026 season covering the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean — and a sister ship, the Orient Express Olympian, already in fitting-out at the same shipyard
The Corinthian signals something larger than a single ship launch. As the Orient Express brand expands from legendary trains to landmark hotels in Rome and Venice to the open sea, it is reshaping what discerning travelers expect from a luxury experience entirely. For clients who live at the intersection of real estate and lifestyle, this is the world they are buying into.
👉 Read the full story here: https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/orient-express-corinthian-the-worlds-largest-sailing-yacht-redefines-luxury/
By: Staff | Breaking Travel News | May 1, 2026 Photo: Courtesy of Orient Express / Breaking Travel News
