Instead of congested ports and overloaded itineraries, this is how we picture sailing the seas.
With the announcement of plans for the first Orient Express ship, a new age of luxury is about to embark in 2026.
140 years after the introduction of its trains, the Orient Express debuted the Orient Express Silenseas, the next chapter in its tradition. The unveiling of the ship represents a significant advancement in the top-tier tourism sector at a time when cruise popularity is at an all-time high and all indications are that this trend will only grow.
An exclusive look at the Orient Express ship – this is the future of luxury cruises. https://t.co/ob4n6uccQ4 pic.twitter.com/1CKxbBfckW
— Condé Nast Traveller (@cntraveller) January 11, 2023
The project involves the collaboration of the French shipbuilders Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Accor to develop a ship unlike any other. It will be propelled by a ground-breaking 1,500 square meter wind propulsion system and a hybrid propulsion system that uses liquefied natural gas.
Itineraries and interior design will be influenced by the French Riviera's heyday when writers, artists, royalty, and intellectuals visited and were inspired by the region's coasts.
An exclusive look at the Orient Express ship – this is the future of luxury cruises. https://t.co/m78eChgrWT pic.twitter.com/eeqQDHYuDJ
— Cherry (@Cherry77087756) January 14, 2023
The 54 suites aboard the 220-meter-long vessel will be 70 square meters on average. Nonetheless, the 1,215 square meters presidential suite with a large private terrace overlooking the waves would undoubtedly be the crowning achievement and the most sought-after accommodation.
Two swimming pools, two restaurants serving seasonal cuisine, and a speakeasy bar serving creative drinks await the fortunate travelers. A cutting-edge amphitheater will feature elegant performances. Want a holiday that won't interfere with the release of the new record? Even a personal recording studio will be present.
The Orient Express ship will go to the Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer, with stops at Portofino, Capri, and Saint-Tropez.
Sébastien Bazin, chairman, and chief executive officer of Accor, commented on the impending debut by saying, "With Orient Express Silenseas, we are opening a new chapter in our history, bringing the experience and perfection of luxury travel to the world's most stunning seas. This remarkable sailing vessel, which has connections to the Orient Express's past, will provide unmatched service and exquisitely designed areas that are evocative of the heyday of legendary excursions. This cutting-edge ship, which will revolutionize the marine industry with cutting-edge technology to address today's environmental concerns, is built on innovation. It is a vessel created to turn ideas into reality and a display of the very finest French expertise.