Orient Express to Enter Cruising in Mediterranean With 1st Rigid-Sail Yacht
Another luxury hospitality brand is preparing to enter the cruise space this summer. Orient Express is set to debut its first sailing yacht in the Mediterranean next month with Orient Express Corinthian. The yacht will mark the brand’s expansion beyond rail and hotels and into cruise travel.
Most notably, Corinthian will be the first cruise ship that is fitted with rigid sails to enter service. The company says the 721-foot vessel will combine wind-assisted propulsion and advanced engineering with a design-led onboard experience.
Rendering credit: Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Orient Express says the yacht will feature spacious suite accommodations, a multi-venue dining program led by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. The spa will be operated by Guerlain.
Corinthian will offer seasonal itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Orient Express has also announced a second vessel, Orient Express Olympian, scheduled for 2027.
Advancing Propulsion and an Onboard AI
Some of the brand’s most notable innovations center on propulsion and environmental technology.
Orient Express says the ships will include an AI-based system designed to detect marine life at sea and reduce the risk of collisions. Further technical details have not yet been disclosed, but the concept reflects an interesting use of AI in maritime safety and environmental management.
Another key feature is the use of rigid sails. The system, known as SolidSail, was developed with Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The yacht will carry three rigid sails, each spanning more than 16,000 square feet. These are mounted on tilting masts rising more than 328 feet above the waterline. Under favorable conditions, the sails can provide primary propulsion, with engines that consume LNG and MGO used as support when needed.
Photo credit: Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Rigid sail systems are still emerging in cruise design. Unlike traditional fabric sails, they are fixed and engineered for efficiency, allowing larger vessels to harness wind power more consistently. SolidSail was previously tested on Le Ponant using a smaller-scale prototype, and similar wind-assisted technologies have been introduced in commercial shipping. Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced that their upcoming ship, World Adventurer, will also have rigid sails when the ship launches in 2027.
French Art de Vivre at Sea
Corinthian offers 54 suites, accommodating approximately 110 passengers. Suite sizes range from about 484 to more than 2,400 square feet. Categories include panoramic suites, terrace suites, duplex suites, and apartment-style accommodations
At the top end, the yacht features a collection of penthouse suites, including named residences such as Agatha Christie, Zephyr, Meltem, Scirocco, Mistral, and Libeccio. These suites include multi-room layouts, expansive private terraces. In in some cases, these cateogories features such as private jacuzzis and dedicated living and dining areas.
Interiors are led by Maxime d’Angeac, Artistic Director of Orient Express. The company says the design draws on the golden age of rail travel and historic ocean liners, with materials such as marble, wood, glass, and velvet used throughout.
Corinthian will also include a marina platform and a range of outdoor areas. Wellness is positioned as a central part of the onboard experience, anchored by the Guerlain Spa. The facility includes treatment suites, relaxation areas, a salon, barber, and fitness spaces.
A Vision for Contemporary French Gastronomy at Sea
Corinthian will feature multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges distributed across several decks rather than centered around a single main dining room.
Signature dining includes La Table de l’Orient-Express by Yannick Alléno, positioned as the yacht’s main restaurant. Additional venues include L’Encre, a seafood restaurant, and La Terrasse, which offers ocean-view dining.
More casual and social spaces are integrated throughout the ship. These include Le Wagon Bar, inspired by the brand’s rail heritage, and Le Yacht Club, a pub-style venue designed for a more relaxed atmosphere. A dedicated poolside venue, La Piscine, combines light dining with a lounge setting.
Sailing the Mediterranean and Beyond
Orient Express says Corinthian will begin service in the Mediterranean, offering voyages of two to eight nights across destinations including the French and Italian Rivieras. The yacht will cross the Atlantic later this year for a Caribbean season, where it will operate shorter sailings across island destinations.
Looking ahead, Orient Express plans to expand the concept with a second yacht, Orient Express Olympian, scheduled to enter service in 2027. The company says the new ship will introduce itineraries in Northern Europe, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Türkiye. Early routes include London to Copenhagen and sailings across the Aegean.
