Friday, March 29, 2024

World’s largest luxury sailing ship to set sail in 2026

Pioneers of luxury train travel since the 19th century, Orient Express has unveiled the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas. This revolution in maritime history is an ambitious undertaking that pushes the limits of what is possible, the company states.

The sailing ship is the result of a partnership between hospitality giant and Orient Express owner Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a French shipbuilder. This extraordinary sailing yacht of the future with spectacular interiors will set sail in 2026, hopefully eschewing the many environmental concerns associated with cruise ships.

The Orient Express Silenseas is described by the company as the 220-meter-long ocean treasure with a tonnage of 22,300 UMS. It will be powered by a revolutionary ‘SolidSail’ wind propulsion system combined with a state-of-the-art engine running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The manufacturer plans to use green hydrogen once the technology is approved for ocean passenger ships.

The SolidSail propulsion system includes three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 meters. Each will be hoisted on a balestron rig, with three tilting masts reaching more than 100 meters high, able to ensure up to 100% of the propulsion in suitable weather conditions.

Orient Express Silenseas will sail with a revolutionary technological design known as ‘SolidSail’.
Orient Express Silenseas will sail with a revolutionary technological design known as ‘SolidSail’. Credit: Orient Express

The sailing ship has room for 54 suites measuring, on average, 70 square meters, including a monumental 1,415-square-meter Presidential Suite (including a 530-square-meter private terrace), two swimming pools, a lap pool, two restaurants, and a speakeasy bar.

In addition, the Orient Express Silenseas will invite guests to experience incredible shows in its Amphitheatre-Cabaret, and a private recording studio will serve to create the most beautiful melodies. The guests will have access to spa treatments, meditation sessions, and stopover explorations to discover cultural treasures.

“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,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman, and CEO, of Accor. “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.”