Orient Express Corinthian: A New Luxury Sailing Cruise Ship Launching in 2026
The new Orient Express Corinthian is preparing to enter service in 2026 and will introduce a unique style of cruising that combines traditional sailing with modern luxury.
For people interested in working at sea, the ship represents an exciting opportunity. As a brand-new vessel with a small number of guests and a large crew, it will offer many roles across hospitality, technical, and maritime departments.
A New Type of Cruise Ship
The Orient Express Corinthian is being built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and is expected to be delivered in 2026.
The vessel is around 220 metres long and will be one of the largest sailing cruise ships in the world. It combines traditional wind power with modern propulsion technology.
Some key features include:
- Passenger capacity: about 110 guests
- Accommodation: 54 luxury suites
- Crew: around 170 crew members
- Propulsion: hybrid system combining rigid sails with modern engines
The ship uses an innovative SolidSail system, which consists of rigid sails mounted on three tall masts. These sails help power the ship while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Because the ship carries relatively few passengers compared with its crew size, the service on board is designed to be highly personalised.
Where the Ship Will Sail
The Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled to begin sailing in June 2026.
Its first season will take place mainly in the Mediterranean, visiting well-known cruise destinations such as:
- The French Riviera
- The Italian Riviera
- Ports across the Mediterranean
- The Adriatic coast, including cities like Venice and Dubrovnik
Voyages will vary from short two-night trips to longer cruises lasting up to two weeks.
Later in the year, the ship is expected to cross the Atlantic and operate Caribbean itineraries during the winter season, giving crew members the chance to work in different regions during one contract.
Careers on Board
Recruitment for Orient Express Sailing Yachts is handled by V.Ships Leisure.
If you are interested in working on the Orient Express Corinthian, you can explore available positions and apply here:
www.allcruisejobs.com/search/orient+express/