First look at world's largest sailing ship with pools, speakeasy bar and spa

24 January 2023 , 12:53

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The Orient Express brand is launching the huge ship in 2026 (Image: Accor)

The world's largest ever sailing ship is set to take to the seas in 2026 - and we've just had a first look at what passengers can expect.

The Orient Express is best known as the world's most luxury train brand and having a storied history which stretches back 140 years.

Now the company which owns a large part of the brand, Accor, is launching the world’s largest sailing ship, called Silenseas, in 2026.

The ship will measure 220 metres long and weigh 22,300 tonnes, making it significantly bigger than the previous record holder SV Golden Horizon, which is 8,770 tonnes and 162m long.

Silenseas looks nothing like a wooden classic tall-mast ship constructed of great oak planks and canvas sails.

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The Silenseas will launch in 2026 (Accor)

Instead it is sleek and dark, bearing more resemblance to the spy boat from James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

It has three huge sails towering 100 metres high running along its middle on platforms which themselves look like more normal sized sailing ships.

There will be room for 54 suites onboard, most of which will measure 70 square metres - eight square metres bigger than the average sized London flat.

For the particularly well financed, the Presidential Suite will offer 1,415-square-metres of space, including a 530-square-metre private terrace.

The vessel is designed to be more environmentally friendly than similarly luxurious engine powered, despite its wind power capacity being boosted by liquified natural gas.

Shipwrights Chantiers de l’Atlantique say it will “become the ship of reference in terms of environmentally-friendly operation and design”.

In terms of onboard luxuries the Silenseas will have two swimming pools, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar.

Meditation sessions and a spa are on-hand to relax guests while entertainment comes in the form of the Silenseas’ amphitheatre-cabaret.

Although ticket prices have not yet been announced, a ride on the Silenseas is unlikely to be a budget-friendly holiday choice.

CEO of Accor Sébastien Bazin has said the fares will be double that of competing luxury ship Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima, Bloomberg has reported.

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Currently a seven day ride on the Evirma in February costs from £5,760.

A second Orient Express ship is also on order from the ship builders.

Milo Boyd