pursuits
first class
Counterclockwise from top right: The Constellation Restaurant; Orion’s stern; the bedroom of a Balcony Suite; cuisine by chef Serge Dansereau; a glass elevator in the atrium reception area.
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boutique hotel-style accommodations and smart service. “A cruise with Orion is like a luxury safari on the high seas,” she says. One of the most memorable trips on Orion is a journey around the Kimberley region on the northwestern coast of Australia. As part of the trip, numerous options for spine-tingling exploits by Zodiac rubber watercraft or helicopter—and on foot—are offered. Fancy a flight over otherworldly gorges and the massive, beehiveshaped orange and black domes of the Bungle Bungle range? Or a visit to mountain plateaus and crocodile habitats? These are on the menu. Another tantalizing choice is a shore excursion on which passengers are led to an idyllic watering hole where refreshments and music await. On a sightseeing trip to Montgomery Reef and Raft Point, a rocky path leads visitors to a gallery of Aboriginal art. An Orion marine biologist is on hand to explain its significance. In stark contrast, another excursion gets guests white-knuckle close to a roaring waterfall while floating on a rubber raft. Any hint of trepidation is wiped out by the exhilaration of the adventure. When not out and about on a heart-thumping escapade, the grandeur of the Orion pampers to the max. The atmosphere aboard the ship is intoxicatingly rich: Carefully chosen works of art complement the fine wood and thick carpet of the reception area, and a glass elevator graces a vessel-high atrium. The light and airy feeling belies the ship’s reinforced steel makeup, safe enough to maneuver through choppy tropical waters and brave the ice-filled Southern Ocean. At 345 square feet, the four Owner Suites are Orion’s largest. Amenities expected in a top-of-the-line hotel but not typically on an expedition cruiser include flat-screen televisions, designer toiletries, DVD/CD players, Internet access, plush robes and 24-hour