The Orient Express made an indelible statement on the world of luxury travel, during a time when it necessarily was an excruciatingly slow – yet utterly decadent – affair. The now-legendary brand encompasses everything that is romantic about a luxury train experience, including opulent staterooms, glamorous entertainment and of course, full champagne service.
140 years later, hospitality brand Accor – managing the Orient Express brand since 2017 – is bringing that same sense of fabulous, ultra-leisurely travel to the ocean with the Orient Express Silenseas.
Come 2026, what the brand says will be the world’s largest sailing ship – measuring 220m from bow to stern – will take to the seas, fully powered by good ol’ wind – at least when conditions are right for the three massive sails, each packing a surface area of 1,500 sqm. Otherwise, an engine running on liquefied natural gas will kick in to keep things moving.
Still, it’s a clear indication of two priorities: the first, a commitment to an environmentally-friendly vision for sea travel, in line with contemporary sensibilities; the second, a nod to the brand’s heritage, wherein its well-heeled passengers never, ever have to be anywhere in a hurry.
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