The world’s largest sailing cruise ship arrives in Málaga for the first time

The Port of Málaga will welcome one of the most distinctive cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean this autumn on Friday 9 October. The Orient Express Corinthian, currently regarded as the world’s largest sailing cruise ship, will make its first call in the capital of the Costa del Sol.

The vessel will arrive in Málaga after completing a four-night voyage that began in Marseille and includes a call in Mahón.

From Málaga, it will also begin a new three-night itinerary with stops in Cádiz and Portimão, before reaching Lisbon on 12 October.

The company currently schedules its arrival in Málaga for 10:00 am on 9 October, with departure expected at 9:00 pm.

A 220-metre sailing ship with only 54 suites

The dimensions of the Orient Express Corinthian place it far beyond the usual image of a sailing yacht.

The vessel measures 220 metres in length and 25.2 metres in width, yet it has been designed to carry a relatively small number of guests compared with a conventional cruise ship.

It features just 54 suites and capacity for around 110 passengers, placing it firmly in the ultra-luxury travel segment.

The suites start at around 45 square metres, while the largest categories reach approximately 225 square metres, with panoramic windows and private terraces in some cases.

Three masts rising almost 100 metres

The most striking feature of the ship is its three enormous carbon masts.

Each rises to around 100 metres above sea level and forms part of the SolidSail propulsion system developed by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The vessel is equipped with three rigid sails measuring around 1,500 square metres each, giving a total sail area of approximately 4,500 square metres.

When weather conditions are suitable, the system can allow the vessel to navigate primarily using wind power.

The technology brings sailing back to a ship of this scale while combining it with modern propulsion systems.

Hybrid propulsion and liquefied natural gas

The Orient Express Corinthian uses a hybrid propulsion system.

When sailing conditions do not allow the vessel to rely mainly on wind, it can use engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The ship has also been designed with future lower-emission fuels in mind, including the possibility of transitioning towards green hydrogen when the technology becomes viable and properly regulated for large passenger ships.

According to Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the sails could provide up to 100% of the ship’s propulsion under particularly favourable conditions.

Technology designed to protect the marine environment

The ship’s environmental innovation goes beyond its sails.

The Orient Express Corinthian includes a dynamic positioning system that can keep the vessel in a fixed position without dropping anchor in certain circumstances.

This can help reduce potential impact on sensitive seabeds.

The ship also features an AI-assisted detection system designed to identify marine mammals and other objects in the water, helping reduce the risk of collisions.

Its design also incorporates energy-efficiency measures and advanced water-treatment systems.

Luxury inspired by the historic Orient Express trains

The ship brings one of the world’s best-known luxury travel brands to the sea.

Orient Express, now linked to French hospitality group Accor, has developed its maritime division while retaining much of the style associated with its historic trains.

The Corinthian’s interiors have been designed by French architect Maxime d’Angeac.

The concept combines references to the golden age of travel with a contemporary approach to luxury.

Alongside its suites, the ship features five restaurants and private dining spaces, with its culinary offer overseen by chef Yannick Alléno.

Restaurants, spa, cabaret and recording studio

The size of the ship makes it possible to include facilities that are unusual for a sailing vessel.

Among its spaces are several restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as a spa, swimming pools and wellness areas.

It also has a cabaret venue with capacity for more than 100 people, a cinema and a recording studio.

Orient Express aims to create an experience closer to a floating luxury hotel than to a high-capacity cruise ship.

The relatively small number of passengers compared with the size of the vessel allows a large proportion of the ship to be dedicated to private and shared guest spaces.

Málaga will be the starting point for a route to Lisbon

The 9 October call has another important feature: Málaga will operate as the home port for the ship’s next itinerary.

The Corinthian will depart that same evening for Cádiz.

It will then continue to Portimão, in Portugal’s Algarve, before arriving in Lisbon on the morning of 12 October.

Orient Express markets the itinerary under the name Iberian Horizons with Málaga, Cadiz & Lisbon.

The company is currently offering suites on this sailing from around €17,100 per suite, including taxes.

A major debut during Málaga’s autumn cruise season

The Corinthian’s arrival comes during one of the busiest periods of the year for the Port of Málaga.

Between October and November, the port expects 113 cruise calls and around 165,000 passengers.

Of these, 24 are scheduled as home-port calls, meaning itineraries that begin or end in Málaga.

The port is also attracting an increasing number of premium and luxury cruise operators, typically characterised by lower-capacity vessels and higher average spending per passenger.

The first visit by the Orient Express Corinthian will be one of the most notable new arrivals of the season.

The beginning of a new generation of large sailing ships

The Corinthian was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of Europe’s leading shipyards, and entered service in 2026.

The project required several years of research and development, particularly to adapt the SolidSail system to a vessel of this size.

Orient Express is also working on a sister ship, the Orient Express Olympian, which is expected to enter service in 2027.

Both ships represent an attempt to bring wind power back to the centre of luxury commercial sailing while combining it with modern engines and technology.

An unusual sight in the Port of Málaga

Friday 9 October will give Málaga the chance to see a vessel that stands out both for its size and for its concept.

With 220 metres of length, three masts rising almost 100 metres, 4,500 square metres of sail area and just 54 suites, the Orient Express Corinthian sits somewhere between a large cruise ship and a sailing superyacht.

Its first Málaga call will also mark the beginning of a new journey towards Portugal’s Atlantic coast.

It will be a particularly distinctive visit during an autumn season in which Málaga continues to strengthen its position as a destination for premium and luxury cruise tourism.