Luxury travel company Orient-Express is best known for its train excursions, but is now making a big foray into cruises. The company has unveiled the Orient-Express Silences, reportedly the world’s largest sailing vessel.
The hybrid sailing yacht is the product of a partnership between two French companies: Orient-Express parent company Accor and shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. It is scheduled to enter service in 2026.
The 220 meters (722 feet) long Orient Express Silenseas uses three rigid SolidSail sails. Each has her 1,500 sq m (16,146 sq ft) surface area and is mounted on its own 100 m (328 ft) high tilting mast. The idea is that these sails provide her 100% of the ship’s propulsion when the weather conditions are right.
If the sails alone aren’t enough, the liquefied natural gas engines work to make up the difference. Orient Express says it plans to switch to green hydrogen once the technology is approved for ocean passenger ships.
orient express
As far as accommodation is concerned, Cirences offers 54 suites. largely All of which measure an average of 70 square meters (753 square feet). The one big exception is the 1,415-square-meter (15,231-square-foot) Presidential Suite, which includes a 530-square-meter (5,705-square-foot) private terrace.
Onboard attractions include two swimming pools (including a lap pool), two restaurants, a speakeasy-type bar, an amphitheater cabaret with private recording studio, and a spa. As with most cruise ships, it also stops at various ports where passengers can disembark for excursions on land.
That said, it’s not immediately clear where Cirencea will operate, but Orient-Express says the ship is “inspired by the golden age of the French Riviera.” A sister ship is also needed, as Chantiers de l’Atlantique reportedly has a “signed letter of intent to order the two ships.”
Source: Orient Express
