Second cruise ship Orient express launched

The OE Olympian, the second sailing vessel ordered from Chantiers de l’Atlantique for Orient Express’ new cruise arm, has been launched in Saint-Nazaire.

Five months after construction started, the OE Olympian sailed out of Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s dock on the night of 16-17 April. Predecessor OE Corinthian, which completed a fifth sea trial this month, has meanwhile taken her place in the Joubert lock, where she is expected to remain until her departure for the Mediterranean in early May; delivery of the Corinthian is scheduled for the next few days.

These first cruise ships applying the Silenseas concept devised by Chantiers de l’Atlantique have been ordered in early 2023 for a combined cost of about €900 million. They will be operated by Orient Express’ new cruise arm, with Saint-Tropez as its home port. While the OE Corinthian will soon start its first season, through the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, the OE Olympian will be launched in spring 2027.

Sailing area Northern Europe

The Olympian, which can accommodate 108 passengers, will then embark on a repositioning voyage to Northern Europe in early July, a first for the company.
As part of its first season in northern Europe, the company will offer itineraries to the British Isles, Scandinavia, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Besides ports such as Copenhagen and Honfleur, the Olympian will offer cruises departing from central London.

Other seasonal highlights in the region include itineraries to the Norwegian fjords, the Danish straits and Saint-Malo, from where guests can visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey.
“The new itineraries lead to destinations that are both iconic and carefully selected, combining carefully curated cultural encounters, pristine coastlines, tailor-made experiences, gastronomy devised by multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, and wellness moments curated by Guerlain,” the company added.

Dual fuel and wind propulsion

The luxury vessels are 220 metres long, 25 metres wide and have a gross tonnage of 26,200 tonnes. They have only 52 suites, good for a capacity of 120 passengers, served by 170 crew members. Main propulsion is provided by dual-fuel engines running on diesel or liquefied natural gas (LNG). They also have a sail propulsion system designed by the engineers of Chantiers de l’Atlantique in collaboration with Breton companies active in sailing competitions. It consists of three AeolDrive masts with balestron, which can rotate 360° to take full advantage of the wind and tilt 70° to pass under bridges. Each of these masts carries a rigid 1050m² Solid Sail, consisting of composite material panels that fold together, as well as a flexible 450m² jib sail. This amounts to a total sail area of 4,500 m².

Sources: Mer et Marine and Cruiseindustrynews.
Image: Cruiseindustrynews

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