(AFP) – Orient Express, a subsidiary of the Accor hotel group responsible for promoting the heritage of the famous Paris-Istanbul train, will place an order with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for two sailboats that can carry up to 120 wealthy cruise passengers, told AFP its vice-president Guillaume de Saint Lager.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP
Orient Express has signed a letter of intent for the purchase of two ships, the first to be delivered “in March 2026” and the second “one year later”, he said, refusing to reveal the details. financial amounts involved.
“We have completely reworked” and adapted to “ultraluxury” the concept of Silenseas, a large cruising sailboat designed by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique of Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), he underlines. “In the world of cruising, it will be the greenest boat,” assures Mr. de Saint Lager.
The future three-mast hybrid, quieter and less polluting, will operate with LNG (liquefied natural gas) engines and thanks to 4,500 m2 of innovative sails, “the largest in the world”, fixed on 100 m high masts, so that “in suitable weather conditions, you can have up to 100% of the propulsion of the boat with its sails”, he describes.
Marketed under the name “Orient Express Silenseas”, this 220 m long ship will offer 54 suites spread over four decks, which will be able to accommodate up to 120 people, explains the manager.
The architect Maxime d’Angeac was responsible for the interior layout and decorations, following a “Mediterranean Art Deco” style, and the Nantes naval architecture firm Stirling Design International for the exterior design.
Mediterranean and Caribbean
Mr. de Saint Lager remains evasive on the future destinations of the two ships ordered, just evoking “the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter”. Much smaller than large cruise liners, they will be able to venture into prestigious ports where they are not necessarily welcome, according to him.
“We are interested in everything that is a luxurious and sustainable means of transport,” he said, wanting to make Orient Express “a travel brand”.
His company, heir to the Compagnie internationale des wagons-lits, wants to run the legendary Orient Express train once more on European rails in early 2025. She wants to “reinvent the myth” with vintage cars reworked by Mr. Angeac.
It must also launch “Orient Express La Dolce Vita”, another luxury train which will travel in Italy from spring 2024, and open two hotels in Rome and Venice.
There will be “possible combinations” in this luxurious universe, indicates Mr. de Saint Lager.
Relax
