The sailing cruise ship Orient Express Corinthian has successfully completed another major phase of sea trials, with builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique reporting that the vessel achieved a speed never before reached by a sailing ship of its size. The ship is now preparing for delivery in May 2026, when Accor Group is set to launch its first cruise operation under the Orient Express brand.
Orient Express Corinthian is a 25,200-gross-ton cruise ship measuring 220 meters in length and designed to accommodate 110 guests in 54 suites. The vessel is equipped with Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s innovative Solid Sail system, featuring three masts and a total sail area of 4,500 square meters. It also includes an LNG-powered engine as part of its propulsion setup.
During recent propulsion trials, the ship reportedly reached 12 knots under sail alone in 20-knot winds. According to the shipbuilder, this is the first time a vessel of this size has achieved such performance solely under sail. Orient Express says the ship will be capable of speeds of up to 17 knots.
Accor announced its entry into the cruise sector in 2023, ordering two sailing cruise ships as part of a broader effort to expand the famous Orient Express name into the ultra-luxury travel market. The new ships are being positioned in the ultra-luxury cruise segment and will feature five restaurants, private dining venues, a spa, fitness and yoga studios, an outdoor pool, and a retractable marina platform. Suite sizes will range from about 485 square feet to nearly 2,500 square feet.
A standout feature of the vessel is its three 69-meter carbon-fiber masts, mounted on unique balestron rigs. Each mast supports about 1,500 square meters of sail area, and the sails can rotate 360 degrees and tilt up to 70 degrees, improving wind capture and allowing the vessel to adapt more efficiently to navigation constraints.
The ship was floated out in June 2025 after roughly four and a half months of assembly, and by September 2025 construction reached another major milestone with the installation of all three masts.
Work is also progressing on the second vessel in the series, Orient Express Olympian. Steel cutting began in late January 2025, and the first block was placed in dry dock in November. Delivery of the second ship is scheduled for spring 2027.
The Orient Express sister ships are part of a broader wave of investment in the ultra-luxury cruise market, as major hotel brands push into the sector. Four Seasons is preparing to launch its first ultra-luxury cruise yacht, while Ritz-Carlton has already entered the market with Evrima, followed by the larger Ilma and Luminara. Industry observers expect hotel-backed cruise brands to attract new high-end travelers and further raise the profile and pricing power of this rapidly growing segment.
