The World’s Largest Sailing Yacht Ushers in a New Era for Orient Express
The 54-suite vessel launches in Saint-Nazaire with maiden voyage from Marseille in June, competing against Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons yacht collections.
Photo by Accor
Launched last Wednesday, April 29, in Saint-Nazaire, the Orient Express Corinthian marks a spectacular new chapter for one of travel’s most storied names. Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique with the work of some 2,000 people, the vessel brings the romance of Orient Express from rails to sea, 140 years after the brand first defined luxury train travel. Billed as the world’s largest sailing yacht, Corinthian will depart Marseille in June for its maiden voyage, carrying just 54 suites and transforming Mediterranean cruising into something closer to a floating palace than a conventional ship. With panoramic sea views, intricate glasswork, curated art, bespoke furnishings and French craftsmanship throughout, the yacht is designed as an intimate sanctuary where every detail reflects elegance, culture and discovery.
Its arrival also places Orient Express at the heart of a fast-growing movement in ultra-luxury yachting, where hospitality brands are extending their identities onto the water. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection helped define the category with Evrima, Ilma and Luminara, while Four Seasons Yachts, Aman at Sea and Explora Journeys & Hilton are also targeting affluent travelers seeking smaller ships, residential-style suites, high-touch service and design-led experiences rather than mass-market cruising. Against this competitive backdrop, Orient Express Corinthian stands apart by combining the nostalgia of the golden age of travel with the spectacle of modern sail technology, positioning itself not merely as another luxury yacht, but as a cultural object: part voyage, part hotel, part artwork, and part dream.