The famous Orient Express experience heads out to sea, 140 years after the launch of its first luxury trains, with Orient Express Silenseas, the world’s largest sailing ship. The first luxury yacht, born from a partnership between French hospitality provider Accor and shipbuilding company Chantiers de l’Atlantique, will set sail in 2026.
Inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera, Orient Express Silenseas will echo the glorious era when writers, artists, painters, princesses and movie stars spent time between Monte-Carlo, the beaches of Saint-Tropez, Cap d’Antibes, Cannes and its famous Croisette and discovered a refinement tinged with exquisite insouciance and joie de vivre, inviting them to extreme escapades.
With Orient Express Silenseas, we are beginning a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and transposing it onto the world’s most beautiful seas.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor
A 220-metre-long ocean treasure the ship will feature 54 suites measuring on average 70-square-metres, including a monumental 1,415-square-metre Presidential Suite that has its own 530-square-metre private terrace), two swimming pools including a lap pool, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar. “The singular cruise ship will celebrate the Art of Travel à la Orient Express: the quintessence of luxury, absolute comfort and dreams”, Accor said at the unveiling.
The yacht will sail with a revolutionary technological design known as ‘SolidSail’: three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 metres each will be hoisted on a balestron rig, with three tilting masts reaching more than 100 metres high, able to ensure up to 100% of the propulsion in suitable weather conditions. This hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind power with a state-of-the-art engine running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and plans to use green hydrogen once the technology is approved for ocean passenger ships, launching a new, more environmentally friendly vision of sea travel.
This exceptional sailing yacht, with roots in Orient Express’ history, will offer unparalleled service and refined design spaces, reminiscent of the golden age of mythical cruises.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor
The latest feature from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique is a true sailing yacht of the future combining the finest French talents. Renowned architect Maxime d’Angeac will design the interior layout and decor and Nantes-based design company Stirling Design International will handle the exterior architecture.
A tribute to artists and culture, Orient Express Silenseas will invite guests to experience incredible shows in its Amphitheatre-Cabaret and a private recording studio will give a voice to the most beautiful melodies. This unique travel experience, guided by the winds, will feature spa treatments, meditation sessions and stopover explorations to discover cultural treasures that allow guests to completely unplug from reality and stop time.
