3 days ago
Setting sail on the Orient Express: Yacht cruising starts next summer
Orient Express' first yacht, the 54-suite Orient Express Corinthian, will begin sailing the Mediterranean next June with three- to eight-night itineraries.
Maxime d'Angeac, Orient Express' artistic director, designed the luxurious interiors of the Corinthian sailing yacht. Photo Credit: Orient Express
Many of the sailings next summer focus on France and Italy, but some also will call in Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro or Malta. A couple of the cruises are timed to coincide with local events, including the Venice Film Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show.
The earliest sailing currently available departs Marseille on June 6, 2026.
The Corinthian will span 720 feet. Its smallest suites will be 484 square feet, and its largest will measure 2,476 square feet. They all include elements of wood, leather and marble. Each will have bay windows.
An extendable marina at the sailing yacht's stern will offer the opportunity to relax at the water's edge. The yacht also will have a 55-foot lap pool.
There will be five restaurants, eight bars, a cabaret, a movie theater and a spa.
When propelled solely by wind, the Corinthian is expected to reach speeds of up to 19.5 miles per hour. Its sails will be rigid, each at 16,100 square feet, and the inclinable masts will be 328 feet.
The Orient Express Olympian will be the Corinthian's sister ship and is scheduled to debut in 2027.
The Corinthian will have five restaurants, eight bars, a cabaret, a movie theater and a spa. Photo Credit: Orient Express
Orient Express said the yachts are generating high interest, particularly for charters, said vice president of sales and marketing Angela Composto.
With the new cruises, luxury trains and the reborn hotel brand, Orient Express intends to establish a travel ecosystem for guests to move between land and sea.
"Our ambition is for guests to immerse in the entire Orient Express experience linking train, hotel and sailing yacht experiences for a complete and seamless travel experience," the company said.
