Robb Report
After 140 years on land, the Orient Express is hitting the high seas.
Accor has just announced a new Orient Express cruise liner will debut in spring 2026. The extravagant 722-footer, known as Silenseas, will become the world’s largest sailing yacht upon launch. She will be able to accommodate up to 120 passengers on voyages throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
The French hospitality group partnered with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for the new endeavor. The noted French builder developed the first Silenseas model in 2018, but has further refined the design for Accor. Fellow Gallic firm Stirling Design International is responsible for the ship’ sleek exterior architecture.
Onboard, meanwhile, Maxime d’Angeac will spearhead the layout and decor. (Accor has also entrusted the renowned French architect with redesigning the new Orient Express train that is rolling out in 2025.) Inspired by the golden age of the French Riviera, the glitzy interior will feature 54 spacious suites of roughly 750 square feet. The preeminent Presidential Suite spans more than 15,000 square feet and comes with an epic 5,700-square-foot private terrace.
Naturally, you can expect the same high-end amenities that appear in Accor’s Orient Express hotels. The ship is equipped with two swimming pools, two restaurants, and a speakeasy bar. In addition, there’s an amphitheater and a recording studio for your entertainment, as well as a top-notch spa for treatments, meditation sessions, and more.