Just over a year ago, the Accor hotel group announced that it would be offering luxury cruises on superyachts.
Two sailing ships are to be built for this purpose at the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique. According to media reports, the hotel group is currently in talks with the state-owned Dubai Holding. It is said to have invested around €800 million in the construction of the two luxury ships. [ds_preview]
Accor announced its intention to build a “floating Orient Express” at the beginning of 2023. The first ship, the “Orient Express Silenseas” (22,300 GT), is to be 220 meters long. The order for the new ship is to go to the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique near St. Nazaire. According to Accor, the first tour is planned for 2026.
Accor relies on sails and LNG
The Accor hotel group’s name is reminiscent of the legendary “Orient Express” train, which once took travellers from Paris to Istanbul in a luxurious atmosphere. There are plans for 54 suites for around 120 passengers, who will find huge suites ranging from 70 m² to 1,415 m². There will also be a spa area, two swimming pools, two restaurants and a state-of-the-art amphitheatre.
Propulsion will be provided by solid-sail rigs on three masts, each 100 m high and with a sail area of 1,500 m², in combination with a hybrid propulsion system from Wärtsilä and LNG as fuel. Gas is to be replaced by hydrogen at a later date. A sister ship is already planned for 2027, according to reports.
