The Orient Express Corinthian embarked upon its initial sea trials over the recent weekend, confirming the vessel’s progression from the outfitting berth toward operational readiness. This development follows approximately 18 months of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the hull and superstructure were assembled and subsequently floated out in mid-2025 as structural work transitioned into systems integration and finishing phases.
Work on Corinthian has been methodical, with installation of the three carbon masts—each rising to a total height near 100 metres above the waterline—completed in the months preceding the trials. These masts are designed to carry rigid sail panels as part of the vessel’s innovative wind-assisted propulsion system, derived from the SolidSail technology developed at the yard.
The ship is being prepared for a scheduled debut in June 2026, with a programme of voyages ranging from short two-night passages to extended 14-night cruises across the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. In conjunction with on-water progress, the brand has consolidated its digital presence, introducing a redesigned platform intended to unify the Orient Express portfolio, including rail, hotel, and maritime operations.
The unified digital platform was presented as a means to explore the company’s offerings in a single environment, an initiative reported to have been developed to emphasise the integrated nature of the Orient Express brands.
Orient Express Corinthian is designed to accommodate a limited number of passengers on voyages that reflect both traditional sailing heritage and contemporary cruising expectations. Upon completion of these initial trials, final outfitting and certification work will continue ahead of its entrance into service.