Frankfurt / Paris, 12 November 2024: The Orient Express Corinthian will be the first of Orient Express’ two new ships to set course for the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and later the Caribbean from June 2026.
‘The world of Orient Express is boundless – a universe full of dreams, discoveries, encounters, movement and emotions. With the Orient Express Corinthian, the legend of Orient Express now sails the world’s most beautiful seas to offer an unrivalled travel experience at sea. Inspired by the golden age of luxury cruising, this sailing ship reinvents the art of movement and comfort on the water and has been designed with the sustainability of tomorrow in mind. A great honour for all of us,’ enthuses Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor.
Technological masterpiece
A technological masterpiece with an elegant silhouette, built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique: the Orient Express Corinthian will be the largest sailing yacht in the world. She is 220 metres long, has 4,500 m² of sail area spread over three tiltable masts and can reach speeds of up to 17 knots using the power of the wind alone.
The interior of the sailing ship is designed by Maxime d’Angeac, the artistic director of Orient Express, a refined and exceptional decor, inspired by the legendary Orient Express that captures the spirit of innovation and comfort that has made this iconic brand famous.
‘All the suites and the entire ambience of this sailing ship have been designed as unique spaces that break away from the classic aesthetics of the Orient Express while retaining its characteristic style,’ says Maxime d’Angeac. ’A contemporary vision of the Orient Express, characterised by the highest quality, which focuses on excellence and brings about a real aesthetic revolution.’
French arts and crafts
Combining the masterful art of leading French craftsmen with the engineering genius of one of the world’s best shipyards, the Orient Express Corinthian offers a unique on-board experience between aesthetics, technology and comfort. This sailing ship embodies a completely new sense of time and invites you to make new discoveries at sea and on land.
On board, the Orient Express Corinthian offers 54 suites with areas ranging from 45 m² to 230 m² – an exclusive luxury that ensures privacy and comfort for travellers. 48 of these suites are located on decks 4, 5 and 6, and six exceptional suites are located on deck 7. With their large panoramic windows, the suites are oases of retreat, with uninterrupted views of the ocean. The rooms are furnished with fine materials such as wood, leather and marble, carefully selected and skilfully designed by talented and exceptional craftsmen.
A tribute
As a tribute to the legendary Orient Express, there are also two original cabins from the ‘Nostalgic Istanbul Orient Express’ from the 1920s and 30s on board.
A total of five restaurants with elegant, timeless furnishings and an individual, inviting ambience fulfil every culinary wish. Eight bars, including a 1930s-style speakeasy, a Parisian art deco cabaret with 115 seats, a recording studio, a cinema and a spa complete the offer.
Romantic dinner
Another highlight is the marina at the stern of the sailing ship with space for romantic dinners and water sports activities. The 16.60 metre long swimming pool on deck 6 offers complete relaxation. 140 years after the introduction of the first luxury trains and a century after the legendary passenger ship Normandie, the Orient Express Corinthian continues the story of the Orient Express legend and adds a new maritime chapter that impresses with style and bravura.
About ORIENT EXPRESS
With its luxury trains and unique experiences, Orient Express has been synonymous with luxury travel since 1883. With the opening of the Orient Express La Minerva in Rome at the end of 2024 and the Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovanelli in Venice in 2025, the range will also be expanded to include luxury hotels. The luxurious travel experience will continue with the La Dolce Vita Orient Express in 2025, followed by the Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express Silenseas ships. Finally, a return of the legendary Orient Express train to the rails is also planned. Follow the journey on @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com www.orient-express.com
About ORIENT EXPRESS CORINTHIAN
A unique partnership between Accor, a world leader in the hotel industry, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a leader in the construction of cruise ships, has resulted in the Orient Express Corinthian, a sailing ship of the future with an exceptional design and spectacular interior, which will set sail in 2026. With the experience of ocean racing experts, the Orient Express Corinthian is operated thanks to the revolutionary technological ‘SolidSail’ system: Three rigid sails, each covering 1,500 square metres, attached to an innovative Balestron rig and three tilting masts over 100 metres high, which can ensure up to 100% of propulsion in suitable weather conditions. For a more environmentally friendly voyage, the ship combines a hybrid propulsion system that combines sail power with a state-of-the-art engine fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), enabling the use of green hydrogen once this technology is approved for passenger ships on the world’s oceans.