ORIENT EXPRESS: Artisans of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel through luxury trains, exclusive experiences, and collections of rare objects. Following the opening of its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva in Rome (April 2025), the brand will inaugurate Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice (April 2026). The luxury experience also includes La Dolce Vita Orient Express (April 2025), followed by the Orient Express Corinthian yacht (2026), the first of two Orient Express sailing yachts, until the legendary historic train returns to the tracks.
Since 2022, Orient Express has been part of the Accor group, one of the world leaders in high-end hospitality. In 2024, Accor entered into a strategic partnership with LVMH to accelerate the brand’s development.
Orient Express has reached a milestone in defining the silhouette of the “Orient Express Corinthian” sailing yacht: the installation of three 69-meter (226-foot) carbon masts for a total sail plan height of 100 meters (328 feet), which is the distance between the waterline and the top of the mast.
This complex operation took several days and involved lifting and positioning each mast vertically, giving the sailing ship its distinctive profile. This high-precision maneuver required unique skills, straddling naval and aeronautical engineering.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique used high-capacity cranes and a dynamic guidance system that allowed each mast to be inserted with millimeter precision into its steel base and connected to the electronic equipment and on-board systems.
“The rigging of the masts is a crucial stage in the life of a sailing yacht, defining its momentum, silhouette, and verticality. For Orient Express Sailing Yachts, it is also the symbolic fulfillment of a vision: to combine the timeless elegance of sailing with the most advanced technological innovations. We are the only sailing yacht in the world designed for luxury experiences on board.” says Vianney Vautier, Chief Operating Officer of Orient Express Sailing Yachts.
The three masts, equipped with tilting and rotating yards, are a masterpiece of engineering. They allow the ship to sail more effectively upwind, guaranteeing unprecedented performance while significantly reducing environmental impact. Orient Express Corinthian will be the first yacht to be equipped with the revolutionary SolidSail propulsion system developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. With three rigid sails measuring 1,500 m² each (16,145 ft²), the sailing ship will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 17 knots. Depending on weather and sea conditions, the yacht will be able to sail under sail or in hybrid mode. Designed to combine elegance, durability, and sustainability, SolidSail marks the beginning of a new era in assisted wind propulsion.
This mode of navigation will allow guests to get closer to their destinations, offering them a unique perspective from which to discover both the most iconic and the most remote coastlines. This operation represents the last major visible structural phase before the rigging is finalized and the sails are installed, the next significant milestone for Orient Express Corinthian. This will be followed by the interior furnishings and the first sea trials.
The 220-meter (721-foot) sailing ship will feature 54 suites ranging from 45 to 225 m² (484 to 2,422 square feet), designed by architect Maxime d’Angeac, Artistic Director of Orient Express. Large panoramic windows and high ceilings will offer a rare sense of space while sailing. There will be five restaurants and private dining rooms on board, under the gastronomic direction of multi-starred chef Yannick Alléno, Executive Chef of the historic Orient Express train and Orient Express Sailing Yachts.
On board and ashore, guests will enjoy the distinctive Orient Express service and immerse themselves in experiences designed with elegance and care.
Orient Express Corinthian will be launched in June 2026, kicking off its summer season with itineraries in the Mediterranean, and starting in October 2026, it will set sail for the Caribbean for the winter season.
ORIENT EXPRESS SAILING YACHTS: an extraordinary French collaboration between Accor, a world leader in hospitality, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of the world’s leading cruise ship builders.
Book your trip: sailing-yachts.orient-express.com
