Travel + Leisure
The legendary Cannes Film Festival brings luminaries and stars to the south of France every May. But one newcomer that commanded plenty of head-turning looks never took the red carpet.
The new Orient Express Corinthian was an unmissable sight in the Bay of Cannes, attracting a steady procession of small boats that circled past for a closer glimpse. No wonder: Corinthian is now the world’s largest sailing vessel, at more than 720 feet long, with three enormous masts that rise 328 feet above the water line.
With its crew of 170 to look after a maximum of 110 guests, Corinthian promises a level of exclusivity and service that is virtually unmatched in the cruise industry.
« We wanted the mist space possible, and the possibility to meet people – or not », explained Maxime d’Angeac, Corinthian’s architect, when I spoke with him aboard. « Even when the ship is full, you will never be bothered by a crowd, » he continued. « We could have done a 120 cabins, but we only did 54. »
I had been invited to spend three nights on Corinthian for a sneak preview ahead of its first publicly available sailings, which are scheduled to begin July 19, following a series of private charters. Though a few features of the ship weren’t quite ready ti review, I quickly came to understand that this ship represents something distinct in the world of cruise and yacht vacations: a trip aboard Corinthian is less about visiting destinations than it is an exploration by sea. As is the case when traveling on Orient Express trains, the experience on this vessel isn’t about getting from A to B but rather the journey itself.