The fact that cruise ships sail is nothing new. The Four-masted barque "Sea Cloud" is a good example of this. A US multimillionaire had them built in the 1930s. Originally, these types of ships were used as cargo or labour ships before resourceful shipowners converted them into floating luxury palaces.
In recent decades, however, the combustion engine has dominated the industry, with sailing cruise ships leading a niche existence. But now Orient Express, part of the Accor hotel group, is making an impressive foray: in mid-November, the company laid the keel of the "Orient Express Olympian" at the French shipyard Chantiers d'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire.
"Orient Express Olympian" to be completed in 2027
This marks the official start of construction of the second ship of the Orient Express Sailing Yachts brand. The shipyard has positioned the first of a total of 17 sections that will make up the hull. Each of these sections will be manufactured separately and then assembled like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle - a process that is common in the construction of modern cruise ships.
In keeping with old shipbuilding tradition, the shipyard workers placed a freshly minted coin on the first steel block - a symbolic gesture intended to bring the ship good luck. The "Orient Express Olympian" is due to be completed and set sail in spring 2027. Her sister ship, the "Corinthian", will be launched a year earlier, marking the start of the new fleet.
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The largest sailing yachts in the world
The two ships will be 220 metres long, making them - according to the company itself - the largest sailing yachts in the world. Their propulsion is based on SolidSail technology. Chantiers de l'Atlantique has developed the concept over the past ten years. Instead of conventional textile sails, SolidSail uses rigid panels. Each of these rectangles consists of a carbon frame and glass fibre surfaces, while joints connect the individual elements to each other.
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Speeds of up to 17 knots possible
There are three self-supporting, tilting masts on deck, on which a total of 4,500 square metres of sails can be set fully automatically from the bridge. In favourable conditions, they provide propulsion, while computer-calculated routes optimise the use of wind power. Otherwise, the LNG-powered engines kick in.
How the Solid-Sail technology works in the video:
Under optimal wind conditions, the ship navigates exclusively with sails and reaches speeds of up to 17 knots - more than the standard engine propulsion speed.
First ship goes into operation in 2026
While the second ship enters the construction phase, the first tests of the Orient Express Corinthian will begin in December. In May 2026, she will start operating in the Mediterranean before being transferred to the Caribbean. The Olympian will follow in spring 2027 and complete the fleet.
