More than a century after the debut of its first luxury train, the iconic Orient Express will expand into the cruise world with its debut orient express silence.
The first Orient Express and “the world’s largest sailing ship” will set sail in 2026 and push the “limits of what’s possible,” according to a recent press release from French hotel groups Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, leaders in cruise ship construction .
Sébastien Bazin, chairman and chief executive of Accor, promised that the ship would “offer unparalleled service and space in a sophisticated design reminiscent of the golden age of legendary cruise lines”—with The luxurious trains of Orient Express fame are no different. An innovation in luxury as much as in yacht sustainability, the 220-meter Orient Express Silensea will feature three SolidSail rigs, a revolutionary 1,500-square-metre unit-sail propulsion system and a hybrid propulsion using liquefied natural gas (LNG) system. Laurent Castaing, managing director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, calls it “an environmental icon” and “the sailing yacht of the future”.
Rendering of the Accor-Orient Express by Maxime d’Angeac and Martin Darzacq.
legends from the sea
Inspired by the golden age of the French Riviera, the Orient Express Silenseas will recall the writers, artists, painters, monarchs and movie stars found between Monte Carlo, Saint Tropez, Cap d’Antibes, Cannes and its Croisette The era, a refined one with carelessness and a joie de vivre, calls for escape. This boat comes honestly from its history. In 1867, founder Georges Nagelmackers found his inspiration while boarding a transatlantic steamer from Europe to America. On these ships he discovered luxurious traveling suites, richly decorated, the social life of the dining room and the unique atmosphere of the lounges, libraries and entertainment venues. This experience of luxurious sea travel would later lead to his legendary train, the Orient Express, launched in 1883.
life in the silent sea
Rendering of the Accor-Orient Express by Maxime d’Angeac and Martin Darzacq.
Bringing together the best French talent, the Orient Express Silensea will “celebrate the art of travel” thanks to the vision of architect Maxime d’Angeac, who designed the interior layout and décor, and Nantes-based design agency Stirling Design International. outside line. The ship will have 54 suites with an average size of 70 square meters, including the 1,415 square meter Presidential Suite (including a 530 square meter private terrace). Two swimming pools, two restaurants and a speakeasy “will add to the essence of luxury”. For entertainment, guests will be invited into amphitheater cabaret performances and private recording studios. Stopovers for spa treatments, meditation sessions and cultural discovery offer a complete escape from the mundane world.
sailing ship of the future
The Orient Express Silenseas will sail using sails designed with the revolutionary “SolidSail” technology: three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 meters will be suspended from the transom and 3 raked masts reaching a height of more than 100 meters, able to provide Up to 100% propulsion. For greener sea voyages, the hybrid scheme combines wind energy with state-of-the-art liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines, allowing the use of green hydrogen passenger ships once the technology is accepted for ocean-going voyages.
Orient Express Silensea will join the hotel brand’s first properties, Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovanelli in Venice, which are expected to open in 2024. Another hotel project is also planned for Riyadh, followed by the Orient Express La Dolce Vita (a luxury train journey through Italy) and the return of the legendary Orient Express track, also in 2024.
For more information visit www.orient-express.com.
