Orient Express, a name that evokes travel, luxury, and a certain art of living. In 1867, Belgian engineer 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 these huge ships, the founder of Orient Express trains explored the luxurious travelers’ suites, with their rich and sumptuous decor, adorned with exceptional marquetry. He experienced the social scene in the restaurants and the unique ambiance of the lounges, libraries, and entertainment venues. This sea travel experience would later inspire the 1883 launch of his now legendary train: the Orient Express, the quintessential luxury. More than 140 years later, history repeats itself with the launch of this project, which will see the construction of two ships at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France. This extraordinary sailing yacht of the future with spectacular and luxury 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 sailing cruises. Innovation is at the heart of this ultramodern 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,” said Sebastien Bazin, CEO of French hotel group Accor, during the launch of the project, in January 2023. Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries...

Born in 2018, Orient Express Silenseas will support a sophisticated hull, and the installation of three SolidSail rigs, a revolutionary 1,500-square-meter unit wind propulsion system. 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’,” says Laurent Castaing, Managing Director, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Famous architect Maxime d’Angeac will design the interior layout and decor, and Nantes-based design company Stirling Design International will handle the exterior architecture. Hetland Maritime also assisted Accor in creating the project and in the ongoing discussions with Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France.

A 220-meter-long ocean treasure with a tonnage of 22,300 UMS, Orient Express Silenseas will feature 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 including a lap pool, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar. A tribute to artists and culture, Silenseas ships 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. 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.