Orion: It can only get better

issue 36 Winter 2013

bridge from the

luxury in the med A Cruiseco exclusive in the Mediterranean on Azamara Journey

All about Astor

Linking Australia and Britain in 2014

Next adventure

Orion sails to a very reputable new owner

Presented with THE compliments of:

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Expedition Cruising | FROM THE BRIDGE

it can

only get better

Orion’s loyal following can rest assured that their adoration of adventure will only be enhanced under the ship’s new owner, Lindblad Expeditions.

Words: Roderick Eime

All images: Orion Expedition Cruises

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Orion becomes National Geographic Orion early next year

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here may be some sad faces at the news Australia’s favourite expedition cruise ship is going to a new owner offshore, but for all the keen adventurers out there, she couldn’t be going to a better home.

Lindblad Expeditions sails under a joint banner with the 125-year-old National Geographic Society—a brand that is recognised as one of the most trusted names in educational literature, especially in the field of natural history and entertainment. It’s a partnership that has allowed Lindblad to become one of the most reputable expedition travel companies on the planet and together they deliver extraordinary travel and educational experiences to guests.

Lindblad Expeditions goes back to 1966, when the late Lars-Eric Lindblad organised the first commercial cruise to Antarctica. The line opened many destinations that had been off-limits to travellers, including communist Vietnam and China.

Today, guests can choose from 10 vessels (five Lindblad Expeditions-owned ships and five charters) operating in the waterways across Asia, the Americas and the Galapagos, Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Australia, the Pacific and the polar regions. Regardless of the voyage, guests are treated to additional inclusions such as sightseeing tours and fees, special site permits and some meals on land—a true expedition.

22 Winter 2013

Lindblad’s newest addition is to be rechristened National Geographic Orion in March 2014 and the 102-guest, German-built, ice-strengthened expedition ship will become sister to the line’s flagship, National Geographic Explorer. Lindblad is committed to maintaining the quality of Orion’s catalogue of adventures, planning to further enhance the facilities, equipment and experience aboard. National Geographic Orion guests will see life beneath the polar ice, deep-sea volcanic activity and creatures unseen by many human eyes.

The list of new kit includes such space-age gear as a state-of-the-art remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), capable of going to depths of 300 metres; a SCUBA program for up to 24 divers, full snorkelling gear for all passengers and kayaks. The expedition crew will be expanded too, with a National Geographic photographer, certified photo instructor, undersea specialist, dive master and video chronicler set to accompany each departure.

The ship will continue Orion’s path to muchfavoured destinations such as Indonesia, Borneo,

Papua New Guinea and the Kimberley, but will add new Pacific territories to its repertoire, to continue the ‘path less travelled’ theme and satisfy the ship’s loyal clients. Already, National Geographic Orion’s 2014 calendar is showing remote Pacific locations such as Palau, Yap and Chuuk (Micronesia) early in the year, Palau and the Moluccas archipelago (Spice Islands) in April–May, and Taveuni (Fiji), Pitcairn, and Easter Island later in the year before she heads south to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Many of these rarely-visited, yet alluring destinations were first surveyed by Orion’s expedition team for the anticipated Orion II sailings. Now, with the support of an entire fleet of capable expedition ships, Orion faithful and new travellers alike have access to a fresh crop of exhilarating lands.

Those familiar with Orion will know her adventurous ambience is rare; she has the ability to offer serious expeditions while still treating guests to a refined onboard environment. The gym, sauna, two restaurants, elevator, jacuzzi and leisurely sun deck have helped many worldweary travellers, tired of the big-ship crush, to make the transition to a whole new world of cruising, a world in which enrichment and the destination become the focus. n National Geographic experts will accompany each voyage

The list of new kit includes such space-age gear as a stateof-the-art remotely operated underwater vehicle, capable of going to depths of 300 metres, and a SCUBA program.