Orient Express Corinthian
Product brand
UnclaimedA 220-metre Silenseas-class luxury sailing cruise ship developed for the Orient Express maritime fleet.
Last updated August 24, 2026
History
Orient Express Corinthian was conceived as the lead vessel of the Orient Express Silenseas program, a maritime extension of the luxury travel brand historically associated with rail journeys. The project followed the expansion of Orient Express under Accor and the 2022 partnership with LVMH. That partnership was intended to develop the brand across hotels, trains, and sailing cruise ships, with LVMH taking a significant but undisclosed stake in the Orient Express subsidiary. The ship’s technical foundation comes from the Silenseas concept developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique during the 2010s. The program explores large sailing cruise ships that use rigid sails to supplement conventional propulsion. Its SolidSail technology was developed over more than a decade and is associated with patents filed in 2009 and 2017. Unlike traditional fabric sails, SolidSail uses rigid composite panels made from fiberglass, carbon, and epoxy resin, supported by carbon battens. The design is intended to offer high structural resistance, long service life, and controllable wind-assisted propulsion at commercial scale. Construction of Orient Express Corinthian began at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire in January 2025. The ship was designed at 220 metres in length, with three masts approximately 100 metres high and a combined sail area of roughly 4,500 square metres. Its accommodation plan is deliberately restricted to 54 suites for approximately 110 passengers. The design also includes five dining venues, a swimming pool, a spa, and a 115-seat theatre, placing the vessel closer to a floating luxury resort than to a conventional high-capacity cruise ship. The propulsion system combines SolidSail rigid sails and AeolDrive technology with auxiliary LNG propulsion. Sailing is intended to reduce dependence on engine power in suitable conditions, while LNG supports manoeuvring and adverse weather operations. The vessel has also been designed with provision for a future hydrogen propulsion system, reflecting the project’s stated interest in reducing the environmental impact of cruise operations. The ship is identified as the second SolidSail-equipped vessel after the cargo ship Neoliner Origin. After entering the outfitting phase at the Penhoët quay in June 2025, Orient Express Corinthian reportedly left Saint-Nazaire in December 2025 for a three-day sea-trial program. The reported trials included sailing at 12 knots in 20-knot winds using sail power alone. A maiden voyage was planned for 2026. A second Silenseas vessel, expected in reference material to be named Orient Express Olympian, was also described as under construction, with a possible longer-term fleet of up to four ships if the concept proves successful. These future fleet plans and Corinthian’s operational status remain subject to subsequent delivery and commercial-launch developments.
- 2026
Planned maiden voyage
[1]The vessel’s maiden voyage was planned for 2026, subject to completion, delivery, and operational readiness.
- 2025
Construction begins
[1]Chantiers de l’Atlantique began building Orient Express Corinthian at Saint-Nazaire in January 2025.
- 2025
Outfitting at Penhoët quay
[1]The vessel was reported at the Penhoët quay from June 2025 for outfitting.
- 2025
Reported sea trials
[1]The ship departed Saint-Nazaire in December 2025 for a three-day trial program and reportedly demonstrated sail-only operation at 12 knots in 20-knot winds.
- 2022
Accor and LVMH expand Orient Express into maritime travel
[1]LVMH and Accor entered a partnership to develop Orient Express in luxury tourism, including sailing cruise ships, trains, and hotels.
- 2017
Second SolidSail-related patent filing
[1]A further patent filing associated with the SolidSail technology was made in 2017.
- 2010
Silenseas concept development
[1]Chantiers de l’Atlantique developed the Silenseas concept during the 2010s as a platform for large sailing cruise ships using rigid wind-assist technology.
- 2009
First SolidSail-related patent filing
[1]One of the patent filings associated with the rigid-sail technology later used in the Silenseas program was made in 2009.
Products and positioning
Ultra-luxury sailing cruise ship combining Orient Express hospitality with wind-assisted propulsion, limited-capacity accommodation, and high-end destination travel.
Luxury sailing cruise ship
Orient Express Corinthian
The lead Silenseas vessel for the Orient Express maritime fleet. It is designed as a 220-metre, limited-capacity luxury sailing cruise ship with 54 suites for approximately 110 passengers. Facilities include five dining areas, a swimming pool, spa, and theatre. Its three rigid SolidSail masts provide wind-assisted propulsion, supplemented by LNG propulsion for manoeuvring and conditions unsuitable for sailing.
Marine propulsion technology
SolidSail and AeolDrive propulsion system
The ship’s wind-assist system uses three rigid composite sails, each associated with an approximately 1,500-square-metre sail area. The panels use fiberglass, carbon, and epoxy resin with carbon battens. The system is intended to reduce reliance on engine propulsion while retaining LNG support for manoeuvring and adverse conditions. The vessel is designed to accommodate future hydrogen propulsion development.
Brand decisions
2025
Construction of the first Silenseas vesselProduct launchBackground
The Orient Express maritime concept required a purpose-built ship capable of delivering a small-capacity luxury experience while incorporating wind-assisted propulsion.
Action taken
Chantiers de l’Atlantique began construction of Orient Express Corinthian at Saint-Nazaire in January 2025.
Aftermath
The ship proceeded to outfitting and sea trials, with a maiden voyage planned for 2026.
2022
Expansion of Orient Express into luxury maritime travelStrategyBackground
Accor and LVMH sought to extend the Orient Express identity beyond rail travel into a broader luxury-tourism portfolio covering hotels, trains, and sailing cruise ships.
Action taken
The groups established a partnership for development of the expanded brand platform, with LVMH acquiring a significant but undisclosed stake in the Orient Express subsidiary.
Aftermath
The strategy provided the corporate and brand framework for the Silenseas fleet, beginning with Orient Express Corinthian.
Recent events
- 2025
Construction begins on Orient Express Corinthian[1]
Product launch
Chantiers de l’Atlantique began construction of the first Silenseas vessel for Orient Express with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at Saint-Nazaire.
- 2025
Orient Express Corinthian enters outfitting phase[1]
Other
The vessel was reported moored at the Penhoët quay from June 2025 while interior and systems outfitting continued.
- 2025
Orient Express Corinthian completes reported sea trials[1]
Product generation
In December 2025, the ship left Saint-Nazaire for a three-day sea-trial program and reportedly reached 12 knots using its sails in winds of about 20 knots.
Sources2 sources
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