On Pace To Wow! — Orient Express Will Unveil Silenseas, The World’s Largest Luxury Sailing Cruise in 2026

With its first luxury ship, Silenseas, hospitality company Accor is on track to wow when it introduces the Orient Express brand to the sea in 2026.

With the introduction of the world’s largest sailing ship, Accor will make its maiden venture into the world of luxury cruising. The Orient Express Silenseas will make its debut more than 140 years after the original Orient Express luxury train first took to the rails. The ship will take a sail in 2026, inspired by the heritage of the world’s most elegant rail voyage and commemorating the art of travel.

The Orient Express Silenseas is a 220 m long, 22,300-tonne gross vessel that will have its first voyage in 2026 and is billed as the “world’s largest sailing ship.” The glitzy amenities on board include two swimming pools, a speakeasy bar, and a private recording studio, promising to be an “amazing sailing boat of the future” with “outstanding” interiors. According to a statement, the luxury train company’s origins are in the oceans. He was motivated to start the Orient Express railway in 1883 after seeing the opulent traveler rooms, taking in the social scene in the restaurants, and observing the atmosphere in the lounges, libraries, and entertainment venues. Lap swimming is available in one of the ship’s two swimming pools, and after swimming, guests can retire to one of the ship’s two restaurants for a night of great dining.

The ship will include stunning interiors as well as hybrid propulsion sailing technology, which combines wind power with an engine powered by liquefied natural gas. As soon as the technology is authorized for use on oceangoing passenger ships, there are also aspirations to swap this all with green hydrogen to herald in a new era of environmentally friendly sailing.

With the help of a collaboration between the French hospitality giant Accor and the French shipbuilding firm Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the Orient Express enters a new chapter in its history as the “renowned train” departs for sea.

“With historical connections to the Orient Express, this remarkable sailing boat will provide unmatched service and exquisitely designed interiors that will transport passengers back to the heyday of legendary trips. This ultra-modern ship was designed with innovation at its core and will change the maritime industry with cutting-edge technology to address today’s environmental concerns. It is a vessel created to turn ideas into reality and a showcase for the finest of French expertise.”