World’s Largest Sailing Cruise Yacht
The Orient Express Corinthian, set to be launched in 2026 by Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, will become the world’s largest sailing yacht, offering an exclusive experience in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
This 220-metre-long vessel blends luxury with sustainability, since it reduces emissions by using LNG and is also green hydrogen-ready. It also has onboard technologies like an AI-driven whale collision avoidance system.
The largest sailing cruise ship boasts 54 lavish suites to host around 110 guests, including a 1000-square-metre Presidential Suite.
However, what makes this sailing vessel unique, apart from its size, is its Solid Sail System, which enables it to achieve a speed of 17 knots.
The Unique Sail Technology
The sailing vessel with a 25,200 displacement has 3 masts with a sail area of 48, 500 square feet and a height of 226 feet, standing on balestron rigs.
When winds are not powerful enough, the vessel can depend on its LNG-fuelled engine.
Its advanced sail system, introduced by the builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique in 2009 on the cruise ship Eoseas, has since been refined for larger vessels to maximise wind capture.
The current system enables the sails to rotate 360 degrees, while the masts can tilt by 70 degrees to get the perfect angles. The tilting system can also lower the masts when needed so the ship can pass beneath bridges.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique tested this sail technology for many years before deploying it on the world’s largest sailing cruise ship. They conducted several trials between 2016 and 2019, focusing on aerodynamics, sail control, and structure.
Later, they also brought a rig to the company’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard to test the system under real-life conditions and further optimise its functioning before fitting it on a full-sized sail ship.
Construction & Trials
Its construction reached a milestone in June 2025 when it was floated out for the first time. By September, its three masts were fitted. In its propulsion trials, the sail system enabled the vessel to reach speeds of around 14 mph, which, according to its builder, is a great achievement for a ship of this size.
Per reports, work on the second vessel in the series is underway, with steel cutting beginning in January 2025 and the first structural block being placed in the dry dock in November. The ship is to be delivered in the spring of 2027.
Itinerary For 2026
In 2026, the ship will offer Mediterranean trips in summer to places such as Saint-Tropez, Capri, and Portofino, while it will sail to famous Caribbean destinations in winter. Its main attractions are the two massive swimming pools, a 1930s-inspired speakeasy, a cabaret theatre, a spa, high-end restaurants and a recording studio.
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About Author
Zahra is an SEO-Strategist & a Technical Writer with over 5 years of experience crafting top-tier content for the shipping world. From news, articles, ebooks, blogs and marketing pieces to industry white papers, she has written it all and now brings that experience to her role as Senior Editor. She makes complex maritime stories clear, sharp, and engaging.
Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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