140 years after the launch of its first luxurious trains, the Orient Express legend continues with the disclosing of the world’s largest crusing ship, Orient Express Silenseas. This revolution in maritime historical past is an formidable endeavor that pushes the boundaries of what’s doable. The results of a novel French partnership between world chief in hospitality Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a globally main shipbuilding firm, this extraordinary crusing yacht of the long run with spectacular interiors will set sail in 2026.
“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. 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. Innovation is at the heart of this ultra-modern ship that will revolutionize the maritime world with new technology to meet today’s sustainability challenges. It is a boat designed to make dreams a reality, a showcase for the best of French savoir-faire.” stated Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor.
Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique added, “With a signed letter of intent to order two ships, Chantiers de l’Atlantique is proud to herald a new era in the shipbuilding industry with Silenseas. This concept, born in our design offices in 2018, is the quintessence of our savoir-faire in the fields of naval architecture, the construction of sophisticated hulls, as well as the design of luxurious spaces. In addition, the installation of three SolidSail rigs, a revolutionary 1,500-square-meter unit wind propulsion system, for which we have developed and tested a first prototype, will contribute significantly to the propulsion of the ship. Combined with a hybrid propulsion system running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), Silenseas will thus become the ship of reference in terms of environmentally-friendly operation and design.”
In 1867, Georges Nagelmackers boarded the transatlantic ships connecting Europe to America and set off on a journey of discovery to the United States. Fascinated by the grandeur of those large boats, the founding father of Orient Express trains explored the luxurious vacationers’ suites, with their wealthy and luxurious decor, adorned with distinctive marquetry. He skilled the social scene within the eating places and the distinctive ambiance of the lounges, libraries and leisure venues. This sea journey expertise would later encourage the 1883 launch of his now legendary practice: the Orient Express.
Inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera, Orient Express Silenseas will echo the wonderful period when writers, artists, painters, princesses and film stars frolicked between Monte-Carlo, the seashores of Saint-Tropez, Cap d’Antibes, Cannes and its well-known Croisette and found a refinement tinged with beautiful insouciance and joie de vivre, inviting them to excessive escapades.
A 220-meter-long ocean treasure with a tonnage of twenty-two,300 UMS, Orient Express Silenseas will characteristic 54 Suites measuring on common 70-square-meters, together with a monumental 1,415-square-meter Presidential Suite (together with a 530-square-meter non-public terrace), two swimming swimming pools together with a lap pool, two eating places and a speakeasy bar. The singular cruise ship will have fun the Art of Travel à la Orient Express: the quintessence of luxurious, absolute consolation and desires.
A tribute to artists and tradition, Orient Express Silenseas will invite visitors to expertise unbelievable reveals in its Amphitheatre-Cabaret and a personal recording studio will give a voice to essentially the most stunning melodies. This distinctive journey expertise, guided by the winds, will characteristic spa remedies, meditation periods and stopover explorations to find cultural treasures that permit visitors to utterly unplug from actuality and cease time.
Capitalizing on the expertise of those specialists in ocean racing, Orient Express Silenseas will sail with a revolutionary technological design generally known as ‘SolidSail’: three inflexible sails with a floor space of 1,500 meters every can be hoisted on a balestron rig, with three tilting masts reaching greater than 100 meters excessive, in a position to make sure as much as 100% of the propulsion in appropriate climate circumstances. This hybrid propulsion system will mix wind energy with a state-of-the-art engine operating on liquefied pure fuel (LNG) and plans to make use of inexperienced hydrogen as soon as the expertise is authorised for ocean passenger ships, launching a brand new, extra environmentally pleasant imaginative and prescient of sea journey.
The newest feat from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique is a real crusing yacht of the long run combining the best French abilities. Renowned architect Maxime d’Angeac will design the inside format and decor and Nantes-based design firm Stirling Design International will deal with the outside structure. Hetland Maritime additionally assisted Accor in creating the venture and within the ongoing discussions with Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The complete venture can be financed as much as 70-80% by business banks, with the rest offered by a consortium of fairness companions through which Accor could have a minority stake.