Orient Express Corinthian: The storied hotel brand’s first sailing yacht launches with a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Lisbon to Barbados.
Orient Express is expanding beyond land for the first time this autumn with the debut of Corinthian, a sailing yacht that will inaugurate the brand’s new maritime chapter. The vessel departs Lisbon in October on a 14-night journey across the Atlantic, bound for Barbados, marking a significant pivot into the global luxury cruise market.
The move reflects a broader trend among heritage hospitality brands seeking new revenue streams and untapped luxury demographics. Orient Express has spent over a century building prestige through rail travel and hotels, but the addition of oceangoing vessels signals ambitions to capture the high-net-worth set who value experiential travel over traditional resort stays. The Corinthian’s transatlantic inaugural crossing positions the brand as a competitor in the ultra-luxury segment, where small-ship sailing commands premium pricing and attracts travelers seeking exclusivity and seamless brand immersion.
The October debut kicks off what the company describes as the beginning of its Caribbean season, suggesting multiple sailings and a sustained commitment to seaborne expansion. By anchoring the brand’s nautical debut in one of the world’s most coveted yacht season windows and pairing it with the storied Lisbon-to-Tropics route, the Orient Express Corinthian positions itself as a marquee offering for 2025 and beyond, cementing the sailing yacht’s role in the brand’s evolution toward maritime luxury travel.
