There are certain invitations that are impossible to turn down.

When Accor invited me aboard Orient Express Corinthian as one of its Preferred Partners, I knew this would be something rather special. Not only is it the first sailing yacht from the legendary Orient Express brand, but it’s also the largest sailing yacht in the world. Before recommending it to our clients, I wanted to experience everything firsthand.

Over three unforgettable days, I sailed from Marseille to Monaco, stopping in Cassis and Saint-Tropez along the way. There were welcome celebrations beneath towering white sails, long lunches overlooking the Mediterranean, afternoons spent swimming directly from the yacht and evenings dining in restaurants curated by one of the world’s most celebrated chefs, Yannick Alléno.

It’s difficult to describe just how impressive Orient Express Corinthian is.

The photographs are beautiful.

Being onboard is something else entirely.

A yacht unlike anything else at sea

People will inevitably compare Orient Express Corinthian to a cruise ship because of its size, but that comparison doesn’t really fit. Nor does calling it a superyacht. It sits somewhere comfortably in between.

At 220 metres long, the Orient Express Corinthian is an extraordinary piece of engineering, yet despite its scale, it never feels overwhelming. With just 54 suites for a maximum of 110 guests, there’s an intimacy on board that you just don’t find on larger ships. By the second day, I was already recognising familiar faces, favourite corners of the yacht and the crew who somehow seemed to remember everyone’s name.

What struck me more than anything else, though, was the standard of the finish.

Everything you touch feels exceptional.

Orient Express has always been associated with craftsmanship, and you see that heritage everywhere onboard. Designed by architect and Artistic Director Maxime d’Angeac, the interiors feel unmistakably French, but never overly traditional. Rich timber, beautifully stitched leather, hand-finished stone, carefully curated artwork and warm, vintage-inspired lighting all come together in a way that feels timeless rather than trendy.

Nothing is over-designed or trying too hard. It’s simply beautiful.

I found myself noticing something new every time I walked through the yacht.

Falling into life on board

I realised quite quickly that there wasn’t really a “right” way to spend a day. Life onboard naturally finds its own rhythm.

Mine usually started with breakfast on my terrace. I have to admit, my jaw dropped when I first walked into my suite. Every suite onboard faces the sea, and waking up to an entirely different view every morning never became any less exciting. One day it was the coastline of Provence, the next the approach to Saint-Tropez.

Breakfast quickly became one of my favourite parts of the day. Perfectly cooked poached eggs, excellent coffee and nothing to look at except the Mediterranean stretching away into the distance.

After breakfast I’d usually head to the gym before deciding whether to spend the morning by the pool or down at what became one of my favourite parts of the yacht – the marina.

This isn’t simply somewhere to board a tender. It’s an entire waterside space built into the stern of the yacht, designed so guests can step straight into the sea. Paddle boards and kayaks are waiting, the swimming is wonderful, and there are loungers positioned right at the water’s edge if doing absolutely nothing feels more appealing.

It’s such a clever addition because it completely changes your relationship with the sea.

You’re not simply looking at it anymore. You’re part of it.

Elsewhere onboard, I found myself wandering simply because there was always another space to discover. A beautifully stocked library, elegant lounges, expansive outdoor decks, the spa, quiet corners for reading and bars that changed character throughout the day all meant the yacht constantly revealed something new.

Despite its size, there was always somewhere peaceful to disappear to.

By late afternoon, everyone naturally gathered for a drink before dinner. As guests on one of Corinthian’s inaugural voyages, we had a programme of dinners, presentations and experiences to attend, but it was easy to imagine how effortlessly the days would unfold as a regular guest. There was never any sense of needing to be somewhere or do everything. The yacht encourages you to settle into your own rhythm.

If someone asked me to describe the trip in one image, I wouldn’t choose one of the restaurants or one of the suites. I’d choose sunset on the top deck.

The crew were preparing to raise Corinthian’s spectacular SolidSail® masts, each standing almost 100 metres above the water.

Without anyone saying a word, the conversation gradually stopped, and everyone looked up.

Watching those enormous sails slowly unfurl against the evening sky was genuinely mesmerising. The Mediterranean had turned that deep golden colour you only seem to get just before sunset, and for a few minutes the entire yacht felt almost silent.

Dining like no other

Food is a huge part of the experience aboard Orient Express Corinthian, and it’s clear from the moment you sit down for your first meal that this isn’t an afterthought.

The culinary programme has been created by Yannick Alléno, one of the world’s most celebrated chefs and the holder of multiple Michelin stars. Rather than lending his name to a single signature restaurant, his influence can be felt throughout the yacht, with multiple restaurants, bars and lounges each offering something entirely different while maintaining the same incredibly high standard.

Over the course of the voyage, I enjoyed everything from beautifully prepared seafood overlooking the Riviera to elegant multi-course dinners paired with exceptional wines. One evening began with oysters and champagne as the sun disappeared behind the horizon; another ended with a nightcap in one of the lounges, chatting with fellow guests long after dinner had finished.

The choice surprised me. You could just as easily enjoy something relaxed by the pool as settle in for a more refined evening, and every meal felt distinctive rather than repetitive.

The cocktail programme deserves a mention too. Every classic is there, but the bartenders are equally passionate about introducing guests to something new, and before long they already knew what everyone preferred to drink.

What impressed me just as much as the food was the service.

There are butlers, bartenders, waiters and hosts throughout the yacht, yet it never feels overbearing or overly formal. Instead, there’s a quiet confidence to the way everything runs. Someone always seems to appear just as you need them, whether that’s remembering your morning coffee order, recommending a wine for dinner or greeting you by name as you return from shore.

Sailing one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines

Our itinerary took us from Marseille to Monaco, with two wonderful stops along the way. Cassis was probably the biggest surprise.

Nestled beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Calanques National Park, it’s exactly the sort of place you hope hasn’t changed too much over the years. Fishing boats still bob gently in the harbour, cafés spill onto the waterfront, and the pace of life slows almost immediately.

The following day we arrived in Saint-Tropez. Most people know the name before they’ve ever visited, but arriving by sea somehow gives you a completely different perspective. The famous harbour, the pastel buildings, the cafés around Place des Lices and the yachts lining the waterfront all feel exactly as you’d imagined – only better.

Our final evening was spent in Monaco.

Watching the lights come on across the principality before waking there the following morning was a fitting end to the voyage.

Of course, those destinations are extraordinary in their own right. But I found myself looking forward just as much to the time spent between them.

Planning your own voyage

Since returning home, one of the questions I’ve been asked most is how clients can experience Orient Express Corinthian for themselves.

As an Accor Preferred Partner, RASK Travel has a close relationship with both Accor and Orient Express Sailing Yachts, giving us direct access to the team behind this remarkable new venture (including a few perks). More importantly, it means we can offer advice based on personal experience rather than brochures or deck plans.

The Marseille to Monaco voyage I experienced is just one of a growing collection of Mediterranean sailings. Future itineraries include the French Riviera, Corsica, Portofino, the Italian coastline, Sicily and the Greek Islands, with journeys ranging from three-night escapes to longer voyages exploring more of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines.

Having now experienced Corinthian firsthand, I can also help with the details that don’t always appear online. Which suite categories I’d personally choose, which itineraries I think offer the best balance of sailing and exploration, and whether I think it’s the right fit for a honeymoon, milestone celebration or multi-generational family holiday.

I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Orient Express Sailing Yachts and Accor for inviting me aboard and for looking after us so generously throughout the voyage.

I’m genuinely excited to introduce our clients to what I believe is one of the most significant launches in luxury travel for many years.

If you’d like to learn more about Orient Express Corinthian or explore one of the upcoming voyages, I’d be delighted to share my experience and help you find the itinerary and suite that’s right for you. Get in touch with the RASK Travel team, and let’s start planning your journey.