A New Chapter at Sea: Inside the Debut of Orient Express Sailing Yachts

There are legends in travel, and then there are icons—Orient Express is one such icon whose name holds the weight of history yet manages to reinvent itself for every generation of curious travelers.

…the brand that defined the golden age of rail is setting its sights on the open sea.

For nearly 150 years, Orient Express has been shorthand for the romance embedded in the heart of a journey; the brand represents craftsmanship elevated into art, and the idea that how you arrive at a destination can be as meaningful as discovering the place itself. And now, for the first time, the brand that defined the golden age of rail is setting its sights on the open sea.

Launching June 2026, Orient Express Corinthian marks the beginning of a transformative new chapter for experiential maritime travel: the debut of Orient Express Sailing Yachts. And in typical Orient Express fashion, this evolution is a reimagining of what modern luxury at sea can look like. Designed for only 110 guests yet serviced by 170 crew, Corinthian introduces a new standard of intimacy, artistry, and cultural immersion as it sails across the Mediterranean and Caribbean. For clients craving ultra-personalized experiences paired with the emotional resonance of French heritage, this is a product poised to become one of the most defining launches of the decade.

Reimagining a Legend for the Sea

…designed not simply to move through the water but to create a cinematic experience of gliding across oceans with quiet power and grace.

The story of Orient Express Sailing Yachts begins with a question: What happens when the brand that perfected slow, elegant, meaningful travel decides to enter ‘cruising’? The answer is Corinthian—a 721-foot sailing yacht that merges wind power with liquefied natural gas propulsion, signaling a future-forward approach to sustainability while honoring the romance of traditional sailing. This will be the world’s largest sailing yacht to set sail, a vessel designed not simply to move through the water but to create a cinematic experience of gliding across oceans with quiet power and grace.

Inspired by the original Orient Express ethos of craftsmanship and cultural discovery, Corinthian’s onboard experience feels like stepping into a contemporary chapter of an already storied legacy. French heritage isn’t referenced—it’s felt. Every material, every line, every interplay of light and texture has intention. And that is largely thanks to one creative force: Maxime D’Angeac.

The Maxime D’Angeac Effect: Design as Storytelling

Tasked with translating decades of brand legacy into a floating masterpiece, architect and art director Maxime D’Angeac approached Corinthian as an act of storytelling. His vision is rooted in dualities: history and innovation, elegance and adventure, French rigor and the untamed nature of the sea.

The result is a masterclass in restraint and richness, a vessel that feels more like an architectural gallery than a conventional cruise ship.

Across the vessel, D’Angeac’s signature is unmistakable—harmonious spaces that feel sculptural yet inviting. The design language balances maritime minimalism with Parisian refinement, creating an atmosphere where every detail is meant to be discovered. Hand-finished woodwork, bespoke fabrics, sculptural lighting, curated art: nothing is by chance. The result is a masterclass in restraint and richness, a vessel that feels more like an architectural gallery than a conventional cruise ship.

The exclusive fifty-four suites are all spacious and open directly onto the sea, embodying the architect’s ethos on an intimate scale. Thoughtfully zoned for relaxation, contemplation, and connection to the outdoors, the suites are designed as private sanctuaries for travelers who value aesthetic harmony as much as comfort. For clients who gravitate toward design-driven properties, Corinthian will resonate with a similar emotional register.

Where Corinthian Sails: A Seasonal Rhythm Between Continents

…the focus is on immersion into ports of call over constant movement, offering guests the luxury of time to absorb the essence of each region.

Corinthian’s inaugural itineraries are a masterstroke in pacing and place. From June to October 2026, guests will explore the Mediterranean at a tempo that mirrors the Orient Express philosophy: unhurried, sophisticated, deeply rooted in culture. Expect anchorages—not quick port calls—in The French Riviera, Corsica, Sicily, The Italian coast, and The Adriatic. Notably, the focus is on immersion into ports of call over constant movement, offering guests the luxury of time to absorb the essence of each region.

In late fall, Corinthian shifts continents with a fourteen-night transatlantic crossing from Lisbon to Barbados; this sailing will echo the grand voyages of the past, reinterpreted for the modern traveler. Winter brings the warm luminosity of the Caribbean season, with itineraries shaped by cultural touchpoints rather than crowded ports. For travelers, the dual-season rhythm offers two distinct options, catering to Mediterranean culture seekers in summer and Caribbean relaxation seekers in winter.

Aboard the World’s Largest Sailing Yacht: The Experience

Corinthian was built not to compete with standard cruise categories but to transcend their offering in a completely unique light. This is a yacht that privileges spaciousness, craftsmanship, and a north-star commitment to personalization.

Culinary Excellence: Five Restaurants and Five Bars

Food is a cultural lens aboard Corinthian, crafted by Michelin-starred chefs who reinterpret regional flavors through a French culinary framework. Ingredients are sourced locally at each port, creating a dynamic menu that evolves throughout the sailing. Whether dining alfresco with Mediterranean breezes or savoring multi-course tasting menus indoors, every meal is positioned as a moment of artistry.

The Only Guerlain Spa at Sea

Wellness lovers will gravitate toward Corinthian’s Guerlain Spa, the maison’s first and only outpost on water. Treatments draw inspiration from the sea’s rhythms, offering both classic Guerlain rituals and yacht-exclusive protocols crafted around tranquility, renewal, and sensorial immersion.

A Marina Built for True “At Anchor” Living

Unlike traditional cruises with short port stops, Corinthian embraces a life lived on the water. The yacht’s state-of-the-art marina unfolds into a playground for snorkeling, paddleboarding, sailing, and more. Active, multi-gen, or water-loving clients will appreciate the fluidity of this offering—adventure is accessible at any moment.

Service: The Orient Express Signature

The Orient Express legacy lives most vividly in its service. With 170 crew for 110 guests, personalization is not simply a promise; it is a philosophy. Staff move with anticipatory precision—quiet, intuitive, and unobtrusively present. It feels less like cruising and more like being enveloped in a private members’ club at sea.

“Money-Can’t-Buy” Moments: The Signature of This Yacht

What ultimately elevates Orient Express Sailing Yachts beyond even the most luxurious peers is the brand’s commitment to exclusivity that feels cinematic. Corinthian’s curated experiences are not excursions—they’re invitations into cultural moments that very few travelers ever access. During initial sailings, guests can look forward to special access to some of the season’s most sought-after events, ensuring an emotional resonance for those seeking depth, rarity, and cultural texture in their travels.

• Venice Like Never Before |Anchor during the Venice Film Festival, gaining entry to red carpet premieres, private screenings, and soirées inside historic palazzos typically reserved for celebrities and industry insiders.
• Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez | Arrive directly into the heart of one of the world’s most legendary regattas. Guests enjoy behind-the-scenes access and celebrations woven into the sailing community’s most iconic week.
• Private Dinners in Historic Villas | Across the Mediterranean and Caribbean, intimate dinners unfold in architectural landmarks, estates, and private residences where food and music become cultural storytelling.
• Vintage Car Rallies | Guests embark on coastal drives in rare automobiles—guided by experts who reveal hidden landscapes, forgotten histories, and insider-only roads.
• An Onboard Recording Studio | For the creatively inclined, Corinthian offers something that feels pulled straight from fantasy: a studio where guests can collaborate with renowned artists or record their own compositions. It is, in the truest sense, a once-in-a-lifetime memory-maker.

Travelers Who Will Love This Product

Wondering if the Corinthian is for you? SmartFlyer travel advisors approach every client and trip with complete personalization, but if any of the below align with your travel style, the world’s largest sailing yacht just might be perfect for you.

• Lovers of design-forward hotels and architectural storytelling
• Francophiles and those drawn to heritage brands
• Cultural travelers who prioritize exclusive access
• Repeat cruise guests looking for a more intimate, artistic alternative
• Yachting clients unable to commit to full-boat charters
• Wellness travelers craving a serene, spa-centric floating retreat
• Multi-gen or couples seeking privacy paired with personalization

A Second Vessel Joins the Story: Orient Express Olympian

The journey doesn’t end with Corinthian’s debut. In June 2027, Orient Express Olympian will join the fleet, expanding itineraries and deepening the brand’s presence across the world’s most coveted waters. Two vessels, one design language, one ethos: the continued evolution of the Orient Express universe.

Why This Matters for Travelers

…Corinthian offers the intimacy of a private yacht paired with the craftsmanship and storytelling that define the Orient Express legacy.

Orient Express Sailing Yachts isn’t simply a new way to cruise—it’s a new way to travel. For guests who value design, culture, and meaningful experiences, Corinthian offers the intimacy of a private yacht paired with the craftsmanship and storytelling that define the Orient Express legacy. This is travel that feels personal, unrushed, and deeply connected to place. You’re not just moving from port to port—you’re anchoring in the heart of the Mediterranean and Caribbean, dining in historic villas, accessing festivals and cultural moments that are normally invitation-only, and unwinding in the only Guerlain Spa at sea. Every element is designed to feel like it was created just for you.

Ultimately, this matters because Corinthian turns a voyage into something unforgettable: a blend of beauty, exclusivity, and discovery that stays with you long after you return home. Here, the journey becomes the experience—and the sea becomes the backdrop for memories you’ll carry forever.

A Legend Sets Sail

When Orient Express Corinthian sets out across the Mediterranean in 2026, it won’t simply mark the beginning of a new itinerary—it will signal a new philosophy for luxury at sea. One rooted in heritage but shaped for the modern traveler; one that values design as deeply as discovery; one that invites guests to join a story over a century in the making. For travelers seeking the extraordinary, Corinthian offers a rare proposition: a voyage where every moment is curated with intention, where exclusivity is woven into the rhythm of the day, and where the journey itself becomes a legend. Welcome aboard Orient Express Sailing Yachts—where the extraordinary is just the beginning.

Ready to set sail? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor to begin planning.