Forget Agatha Christie and the dark intrigues of sleeping cars; the Orient Express is taking to the seas and, let’s face it, Hercule Poirot would happily wet his waxed moustache with this luxury. Introducing the Corinthian, a sea monster of sophistication that promises to completely shatter your previous notion of a cruise – the one with the bad buffet and the crowded pool. Is it a sailboat? Is it a superyacht? Is it a floating hotel that’s more chic than your apartment? Is it all of these. Get your sunglasses and credit cards ready.
Let's be honest, in the world of superyachts, size is the only currency that really counts, and Orient Express Corinthian has just bankrupted the competition. With length 220 meters (or a whopping 721 feet for those of you who measure in imperial units) it is officially the largest sailboat in the world. To put that in perspective: it is longer than two football fields and probably bigger than your entire neighborhood.
But it's not just about the length. It's a technological marvel that I would approve of myself. Elon Musk, if only it had more style. The ship uses the revolutionary SolidSail system – three massive, tilting and rotating masts, 100 meters high, catch the wind with such elegance that you’ll forget it’s actually an engineering feat. And because it’s 2026 and we’re all worried about polar bears, the ship uses a hybrid drive powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). So you can sip your chilled champagne with a slightly smaller carbon footprint. Going green has never been so sexy.
Cabins? No, my dears, these are sanctuaries.
If you were expecting cramped cabins with small windows, you were wrong. There are 54 cabins spread across the deck, which are actually more like Fifth Avenue apartments. The highlight of the offering is the six luxury suites that should have their own zip code.
Spread across four decks, each offering panoramic views. Imagine waking up in Egyptian cotton sheets, pressing a button, the curtains parting and the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea are before you. The interior is a tribute to the golden age of travel – think Art Deco, marble, velvet, high-gloss wood and details that scream “quiet but expensive sophistication”. This isn’t a place to just sleep; this is a place you’ll want to throw a party for your imaginary royal friends.
Gastronomy: Michelin on the waves
You won't find pizza at 2 a.m. on this ship (unless you specifically request it and it's brought to you on a silver platter). The culinary offerings are led by none other than Yannick Alléno, a Michelin-starred chef who probably cooks better than most of us can breathe.
There are five restaurants. Five. That means you can dine in a different setting every night and still not try everything. And because no good story is told over a salad, there are eight bars on board. Yes, eight. From a 1920s-style speakeasy where you'll feel like Gatsby, to a poolside bar where the only task of the day is to choose the right shade of martini.
Boredom is a forbidden word
What to do on a 220-meter sailboat when you get tired of staring at the endless blue? Orient Express has thought of everything. In addition to the obligatory swimming pool (where the water is probably cleaner than the water in a bottle) and a spa center where you will be massaged even those muscles you didn't know you had, Corinthian offers something completely unexpected.
There's a recording studio and a movie theater on board. A recording studio? You might be wondering why. Well, if you're inspired to record your next hit album or just a podcast episode about how tough life is on a yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean, you have the option. And the movie theater is there for those evenings when you want to watch classics with truffle popcorn.
Destinations for the Gods
Corinthian doesn’t just sail the plains. Its itineraries are carefully selected to satisfy the aesthetic needs of the most discerning travelers. The first itineraries include a voyage from Athens to Istanbul – a classic route steeped in history and sunshine. But for those who prefer a cooler, more dramatic vibe, the ship also ventures north: from London to Copenhagen and across the North Sea. Imagine: wrapped in cashmere on deck, a glass of red wine in hand, as you sail past white cliffs or Scandinavian fjords. The perfect Instagram moment.
Orient Express Corinthian is not just a means of transportation; it is a destination in itself. It is proof that theThe romance of travel has not been lost., it just moved to the water and became unbearably expensive – and we are completely enchanted.
