The christening late last month of the Corinthian at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marked Orient Express Sailing Yachts' long-awaited entry into the world of luxury sailing.
This sleek 721-foot vessel boasts more space per guest than any other similar craft.
Leaning heavily on design, craftsmanship and atmosphere, the interiors echo the golden age of trains and great ocean liners.
Warm tones of beige offset by deeper burgundy add richness yet maintain a feeling of elegance. The recurring art deco influences remain understated both in the public areas and in the 54 suites, which can accommodate 110 guests.
Recurring art deco influences are understated in the 54 suites, which can accommodate 110 guests. Photo Credit: Maxime d'Angeac/Orient Express
Let the sunshine in
As I saw during a ship tour in Saint-Nazaire, the entry-level Panoramic Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows that let the natural light pour in. These 506-square-foot suites are the only accommodations on the ship without balconies.
The six Duplex Suites have a relaxed, residential feel. They include carpeted spiral staircases, XL daybeds and Hermes-inspired throws, with nautical rope motifs on ceilings and door handles. The television is concealed behind a faux cabinet, and the speakers are built into the bed's headboard to allow volume levels to be kept discreet.
Bathrooms have freestanding bathtubs, dual washbasins hewn from single blocks of white onyx and bespoke toiletries from Maison D'Orsay. The design of the Duplex Suites was inspired by a villa on the French Riviera.
The five Penthouse Suites on the top deck have large terraces and separate dining areas, and some have sleeping compartments inspired by the original Orient-Express train with bunks and vintage-style washbasins, another nod to the brand's heritage. There is a dedicated butler for each cabin and a total of 170 crew, which is 1.6 crew members per guest.
Star-studded chef
The restaurant La Terrasse. The eight restaurants aboard the Corinthian are helmed by chef Yannick Alleno, the holder of 18 Michelin stars. Photo Credit: Alice Mesguich/Orient Express
Dining in the eight restaurants is a central part of the onboard experience and is helmed by 18 Michelin-star chef Yannick Alleno. Alleno's signature venue, La Table de l'Orient Express, has just six tables and an extra-high ceiling inspired by the dining room of the SS Normandie, the 1930s French transatlantic ocean liner that also was built at the shipyard.
With the exception of La Table, the dining experiences are included in the fare. Most facilities onboard are, as well, with the exception of the Guerlain Spa, which has four treatment suites, a VIP double suite and a sauna and relaxation lounge with a terrace. The sauna and lounge are available to all passengers, whether or not they receive a treatment.
The library has a collection of classic French and English novels with works by Agatha Christie, Jules Verne and Ian Fleming.
Each of the eight bars and lounges echo the art deco focus in proportion and geometry. Le Wagon Bar, a re-creation of the one on the train, has a circular design and turquoise velvet seating.
There is also a 115-seat, cabaret-style theater, a cinema with seats that are perfect replicas of those used on the original Orient Express train and an onboard recording studio. The studio is both for guest use and for use as a professional studio when the ship is chartered for private occasions.
One unusual feature for a sailing yacht is Le Couloir de Nage, a 54-foot lap pool on Deck Six under the sails, which can be used by all guests when it is not privatized. The fore Le Piscine pool has plush sun loungers, while the aft Marina pool deck, with areas for relaxing and water activities, is a large platform that reinforces the yachtlike feel of the ship.
Currently being fitted out at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire is the Orient Express Olympian, a sister ship to the Corinthian, due for a 2027 launch. One slight difference will be a lap pool that can transform into a dance floor, thanks to a system that raises its floor.
The Guerlain Spa has four treatment suites, a VIP double suite and a sauna and relaxation lounge with a terrace. Photo Credit: Orient Express
A big-screen debut
The Orient Express Corinthian will begin booked voyages on July 19 following an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival this month. From May to October, it will be in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic; it will then cross the Atlantic to winter in the Caribbean.
It is the world's largest sailing yacht, according to Orient Express, and uses Solid Sail technology, with three, 226-foot masts and fiberglass and carbon sails. Using just the sails, it can reach 15 knots, or roughly 17 mph; when more speed is required, it turns to liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Speaking at the shipyard, Sebastien Bazin, chairman and CEO of Accor, the parent company of Orient Express, said, "Bringing Orient Express to the sea fits naturally within the imagination of the legendary brand" and described the cruises as journeys "rooted in discovery, unhurried time, excellence and elegance."