In December, Paris lights up for the festive season, London wraps up warm, New York prepares for the snow. Just a few hours’ flight away, another season begins: that of the Caribbean. A 27-degree sea, the trade winds, glass-colored lagoons. This is where the Orient Express Corinthian spends the winter. And this is where it becomes the setting for a wedding few couples dare to imagine: a winter wedding, under the sun, aboard the world’s largest sailing ship.
In brief
- The vessel: the Orient Express Corinthian, approximately 220 meters, 54 suites for around 110 guests, dining by Yannick Alléno.
- The season: from November to March, in the Caribbean.
- The islands: Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Guadeloupe and Les Saintes, Martinique, the Grenadines, Barbados, depending on the itineraries.
- For a wedding: exclusive charter of the vessel during select periods, or an intimate circle on board.
- The added touch: in Saint-Barthélemy, non-resident couples can marry civilly, subject to certain conditions.
Why a Winter Wedding in the Caribbean
- For the light. From December to March, it is the dry season in the Caribbean: constant sunshine, calm seas, balmy evenings. Exactly what Europe does not offer at this time of year.
- For its rarity. Most weddings are celebrated between May and September. A winter wedding instantly stands out, and guests remember it as an interlude in the heart of winter.
- For American guests. For a family from New York, Miami, or Los Angeles, the Caribbean is just a few hours' flight away. For European guests, it is a sun-drenched escape during the festive season or winter holidays.
- For the ship. The Corinthian brings to the Caribbean what it did not have: a palace under sail, with the refinement of a European maison.
The Corinthian in the Caribbean
Built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and christened in 2026, the Orient Express Corinthian is presented as the world's largest sailing yacht. It features just fifty-four suites, spanning 45 to 230 square meters. Its décor, designed by Maxime d'Angeac, extends the golden age of the train; its gastronomy is placed under the direction of Yannick Alléno. After its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, the vessel crossed the Atlantic for its first winter in the Caribbean. Its cruises, ranging from three to seven nights, notably connect:
- Saint-Martin and its Marigot Bay;
- Saint-Barthélemy and the port of Gustavia;
- the British Virgin Islands, with Virgin Gorda;
- Antigua, with Falmouth Harbour;
- Guadeloupe and Les Saintes, a preserved archipelago;
- Martinique, with Saint-Pierre;
- the Grenadines, with Bequia, Canouan, and the Tobago Cays;
- Barbados, with Bridgetown, and Saint Lucia, with Rodney Bay.
The wedding that follows the trade winds
- Day One: Saint-Martin. Guests embark at Marigot in the late afternoon. Welcome dinner on deck, facing the bay, as the sun dips into the sea.
- Day Two: Saint-Barthélemy. The vessel drops anchor off Gustavia. In the morning, the civil ceremony at the island's town hall, should you so choose. In the afternoon, a ceremony on a private beach or on the upper deck, facing the sea. In the evening, the wedding dinner crafted by the chef, followed by the party in the speakeasy.
- Day Three: the Virgin Islands. A day at leisure at anchor: swimming from the marina, spa, lunch on a white-sand beach.
- Day Four: the farewell. A brunch on deck, final moments together, then disembarkation.
Getting legally married in Saint-Barthélemy
Saint-Barthélemy is a French overseas collectivity, where French law provides a notable exception: couples who do not reside in France can marry in a civil ceremony, an opportunity not available in mainland France. The application must be submitted well in advance to the island’s civil registry. The civil ceremony can thus precede the celebration on board, taking place on the same day or the day before. It is a rare asset: a legally recognized marriage on a Caribbean island, followed by a celebration aboard the Corinthian.
- The upper deck of the Corinthian, at anchor off Gustavia, at sunset.
- A private beach in Saint-Barth, with a boat transfer from the ship.
- The Tobago Cays, in the Grenadines: a protected lagoon, deserted islets, water of absolute clarity.
- Les Saintes, an archipelago in Guadeloupe with the feel of the edge of the world.
- A private villa in Saint-Barth, to extend the celebration ashore before or after the cruise.
Dates to Remember
- December: a wedding ahead of the festive season, when Europe is wrapped in the cold.
- New Year’s Eve: Saint-Barth is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations at this time of year. Reservations are made well in advance.
- January and February: the most beautiful dry season, the calmest sea.
- March: the end of the season, just before the ship sets sail again for the Mediterranean.
How many guests?
The vessel accommodates approximately 110 travelers across its fifty-four suites: the ideal scale for a grand, exceptional wedding. For a larger celebration, additional guests can stay in Saint-Barth’s villas or hotels and join the festivities during the port of call.
After the wedding: the honeymoon
Many couples choose to extend the experience: a few nights in a private villa in Saint-Barth, a second cruise for two, or an island in the Grenadines.
Our role
- The design: the itinerary, the islands, the rhythm of the days.
- The civil wedding: the administrative file in Saint-Barthélemy, in liaison with the civil registry, should you so wish.
- Artistic direction: a scenography designed for the light of the Caribbean, tropical flowers selected with restraint, stationery in the hues of the lagoon.
- The guests: flights to Saint-Martin, private jets, pre- and post-event hotels, a personal welcome for each and every guest.
- The stopovers: privatized beaches and villas, boat transfers, permits.
- The artists and the imagery: musicians, steel band or quartet, photographer and videographer.
- Confidentiality: non-disclosure agreements, photography guidelines, absolute discretion.
What you need to know
- The dates: they depend on the ship's itineraries and its exclusive charter periods, known approximately a year in advance.
- Access: Saint-Martin Airport welcomes international flights. Saint-Barth is then reached via a short flight or by boat.
- High season: around the festive season, Saint-Barth’s villas and hotels are booked very far in advance.
- Weather: the dry season, from December to April, is the most reliable. A sheltered Plan B is always arranged on board.
- Timeframe: allow twelve to eighteen months.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Le Corinthian sail in the Caribbean? Yes, from November to March, between Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, the Virgin Islands, the Grenadines, and Barbados, depending on the itinerary.
- Can you get married aboard the Orient Express Corinthian in the Caribbean? Yes. The ship can be privatized for a wedding at certain times of the season, with a ceremony on board or on a beach during a stopover.
- Can one legally marry in Saint-Barthélemy without residing there? Yes, the island is one of the French collectivities where non-resident couples can marry civilly, subject to specific application requirements.
- What is the best time for a wedding in the Caribbean? From December to March, during the dry season.
- How many guests can the Corinthian accommodate? Approximately 110 travelers across its fifty-four suites.
- Where do guests arrive? Most often in Saint-Martin, which receives international flights, before embarking in Marigot.
- How far in advance should you plan a Caribbean wedding aboard a sailboat? Twelve to eighteen months, and even longer for dates around the New Year.
Summer in the heart of winter
There is something magical about marrying beneath the sun when the rest of the world is cold. A winter wedding in the Caribbean, aboard the Corinthian, is a season invented just for you: the light, the sea, and the most beautiful journey to begin a life together. With all my elegance, Sandrine Arnould — Founder, Luxury Events Agency