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Orient Express Corinthian – Image Credit Accor
The Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht, has completed its float-out in Saint-Nazaire, France, marking the start of its outfitting phase.
The Orient Express Corinthian, constructed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, has reached a significant milestone with its float-out in Saint-Nazaire on June 16, 2025. This event transitions the yacht from structural assembly to systems integration and finishing stages.
The yacht, built from fourteen structural blocks and featuring three balestron rigs, has moved from the construction dock to the outfitting dockyard. This process involved filling the dock with water, allowing the vessel to become buoyant and be guided by tugs to its new location for final outfitting.
The Orient Express Corinthian measures 722 feet in length and is equipped with a SolidSail propulsion system and a hybrid propulsion system powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). These systems aim to achieve near-zero-emission cruising. The yacht also features an AI-driven floating object detection system to reduce the risk of marine mammal collisions and dynamic positioning technology to avoid anchoring and protect seabeds.
The yacht is scheduled to begin its inaugural cruise in June 2026, starting in the Mediterranean and Adriatic regions before crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean. A sister ship, Orient Express Olympian, is expected to set sail in the summer of 2027.
The Orient Express Corinthian includes 54 suites, ranging from 485 to 2,476 square feet, each with large windows or terraces. The yacht also offers five restaurants and private dining spaces under the direction of chef Yannick Alléno.
From May to October 2026, the yacht will operate 27 itineraries in the Mediterranean and Adriatic, ranging from two-night escapes to 14-day voyages. The routes are designed to follow favorable winds to minimize environmental impact.
The completion of the float-out marks a crucial step in the construction of the Orient Express Corinthian, which is preparing for its debut on the water and subsequent outfitting.
