‘World’s largest’ sailing yacht draws on golden age of travel, French heritage and advanced technology

Orient Express Corinthian, described as the world’s largest sailing yacht, was christened at the Joubert graving dock in Saint-Nazaire on 29 April.

Following the ceremony, the 220-m vessel departed the shipyard on 2 May for its inaugural Mediterranean season.

Developed through a collaboration between Accor’s Orient Express brand and French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the 26,200-gt newbuild merges ultra-luxury cruise design with advanced naval engineering. It is the first cruise ship to feature the builder’s SolidSail wind-propulsion system, comprising three automated, 360-degree rotating rigid sails. Each unit rises more than 100 m with a surface area of 1,500 m², allowing the vessel to capture wind propulsion across varying conditions. Carbon fibre masts, which can tilt up to 70 degrees, enable the vessel to pass under major bridges.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique chief executive Laurent Castaing hailed the vessel as a "concrete, technical response to decarbonisation challenges," noting that the project represents the culmination of a decade of R&D. Sea trials in February 2026 confirmed the design’s viability, with the ship achieving 12 knots under sail alone in 20 knots of wind.

In addition to wind propulsion, the vessel employs a hybrid LNG system and energy-efficiency technologies, resulting in a high Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) rating and an estimated reduction of 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Operational sustainability is further enhanced by AI-assisted marine life detection and dynamic positioning, which removes the need for traditional anchoring and helps protect the seabed.

Accor chairman and chief executive Sébastien Bazin described the vessel as a manifestation of the brand’s vision, noting that the project successfully navigated "industrial, architectural, and artistic" challenges to showcase French expertise.

Designed by architect Maxime d’Angeac, the ship draws inspiration from the golden age of travel and France’s maritime heritage, referencing historic liners such as Normandie.

The vessel, which is classed by Bureau Veritas, is entirely French-built, with nearly 200 companies contributing to the project and utilising 100% European equipment.

The programme continues in Saint-Nazaire, where at the Penhoët quay, Orient Express Corinthian’s sister ship, Orient Express Olympian, is currently being fitted out following its launch on 17 April.

From May to October 2026, Corinthian will operate in the Mediterranean and Adriatic before crossing the Atlantic for the winter season in the Caribbean, with expansion into Northern Europe scheduled for 2027.

Onboard, the vessel accommodates up to 110 guests across 54 suites, which range from 45 to 230 m² and feature 3.6-m panoramic windows and dedicated butler service. Guests are served by a crew of 170. The vessel offers five restaurants, eight bars, an Art Deco-style speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret, and a recording studio, alongside wellness facilities including a Guerlain spa and a 16.5-m swimming lane. All services are provided on an all-inclusive basis.