Founded in early 2004, Orion Expedition Cruises has developed voyages to encourage guests to become a part of the region they are discovering.

Orion is a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the fbest and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest.

Described as the latest in the quest to build the perfect expedition vessel *, all Orion’s staterooms feature ocean views and offer internet access, flat-screen TV, DVD/CD, a choice of twin and queen sized beds, a sitting area and marble bathrooms. Other on board amenities include a health spa with gymnasium, sauna, sun deck Jacuzzi and a stern marina platform.

Orion offers a range of included and optional Shoreside Expeditions designed to enhance the destination exploration for their guests. From Camel Safaris in Broome to snorkelling over pristine coral formations, there are many unique opportunities for guests to visit areas of Australia that even most Australians don’t get to see. As part of their commitment to offering guests an enriching experience, on board speakers have been selected for their knowledge and expertise on the regions they visit. Guests are invited to attend presentations in the 90 seat Lecture Theatre.

Their innovative expeditions are year-round and vary with the seasons:

• Summer (December to February) Antarctica and New Zealand and sub-Antarctic Islands.
• Autumn (March, April) in remote and unspoilt parts of Papua New Guinea and Melanesia.
• Winter (April to September) in the Kimberley and Arnhem Land.
• Spring (October, November) they return to PNG and explore Australia's East & South Coast.

Following the company credo “a path less travelled”, the addition of the 100 guest Orion II to the fleet in 2011 doubles capacity and allows expeditions to a wider range of rarely visited destinations; all enjoyed in a casual ambience, with 5 star facilities and attentive service onboard either Orion or Orion II.

Orion II’s inaugural voyages in 2011 include the Russian Far East, also known as the ‘land of ice and fire’; a circumnavigation of Borneo, the home to the orangutan; fascinating Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia (including a visit to Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument), and the tranquil Inland Sea of Japan.

They would be delighted to have you join them on a voyage to some of the most wonderful but rarely seen places on earth.

Recent Awards

Orion are proud to have been named Best Responsible Cruise Operator at the internationally acclaimed 2010 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards which took place as part of World Travel Market in London on Wednesday 10th November (World Responsible Tourism Day).

Thousands of tourism organisations and travel experiences were nominated by the public in just 13 categories with the central tenet being that all types of tourism - from niche to mainstream - can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. These prestigious awards recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.

Past Awards

Orion is more a mega-yacht than cruise ship combining the latest in design and technology, comfort and casual elegance. It has an ice-reinforced hull and a doctor on board at all times and is an ideal expedition ship. Orion passengers tend to be adventurous 35-65 and international. When all cabins have double occupancy, the ship provides a space ratio of 37.7 tons per passenger and a crew to passenger ratio of one for every 1.4 passengers. At full capacity the space ratio is 30.8 tons per passenger and the crew ratio is one to 1.7 passengers.

Ship Info

Size: Very Small
Built: 2003
Tonnage: 4000
Passengers (Min/Max): 106/130
Crew: 75
Officers: Australian

Deck plan

1. Elevator
2. Galaxy Lounge
3. Vega Health Spa
4. Cosmos Lecture Theatre
5. Sun Deck with Jacuzzi
6. Bridge
7. Hairdresser
8. Boutique
9. Reception
10. Library
11. Leda Lounge
12. Security Office
13. Delphinus Outdoor Café
14. Constellation Restaurant
15. Stern Zodiac Embarkation Platform
16. Medical Centre
17. Mud Room
18. Side Zodiac Embarkation Platform

Cabins

Air conditioned staterooms feature ocean views and offer internet access, flat-screen TV, DVD/CD, a choice of twin and queen sized beds, a sitting area and marble bathrooms. Owners and Balcony suites have French Balconies.

Total: 53
Balcony: 0
Ocean View: 53
Inside: 0
Single: 0

Cabin details

Fitness & Leisure

A Jacuzzi spa located on the Sun Deck can double as a plunge pool and and there is a sauna and gymnasium. There are 10 Zodiacs a fleet of 10 inflatable 2-man kayaks and snorkelling equipent are available from the Stern Marina Platform.

Pools Out/In: 0/0
Jacuzzis: 1
Fitness Centre: Yes
Sauna: Yes
Steam Room: No
Deck Space: Good

Restaurants

The Constellation Restaurant offers a leisurely open sitting allowing you to choose when and with whom you dine while the Delphinus Outdoor Café provides al fresco dining for buffet breakfast & lunch and you can book a table outdoors for dinner.

Main Dining Rooms: 1
Sittings: 1
Non Smoking: No
Alternative Dining: 1

Entertainment

The state-of-the-art lecture theatre is the scene for themed presentations by the Expedition team and Guest Speakers. The Leda Lounge and Cocktail Bar is the hub of social life aboard where in the evening a duo plays for your entertainment.

Show Lounges: 0
Cinema: Yes
Library: Yes
Casino: No

Dress Code

Dress onboard is smart casual. During the day, comfortable resort wear while in the evening, gents prefer long trousers and a collared sports shirt (no jackets). For ladies, elegantly relaxed with maybe something a little smarter for the Captain's Party.

Tipping

Tipping is not required however should you wish to recognize outstanding service from an individual staff member you are welcome to do so at your discretion.

Disabled

Wheelchair access is unsuitable. On every voyage extensive use of the ship's fleet of Zodiacs (motorised rubber boats) will be made transporting guests between ship and shore. The ship is not suitable for wheelchair passengers.

Wheelchair cabins: 0
Lifts: 1

Children

The rating for children is Unsuitable. There are no facilities for children.

Orion II offers an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore and stabilizers for smooth sailing. Orion II's spaciousness and intimate ambience combine to make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.  Orion II passengers tend to be adventurous 35-65 and international. When all cabins have double occupancy, the ship provides a space ratio of 40.8 tons per passenger and a crew to passenger ratio of one for every 1.5 passengers. At full capacity the space ratio is 40.8 tons per passenger and the crew ratio is one to 1.5 passengers.

Ship Info

Size: Very Small
Built: 1990
Refit: 2009
Tonnage: 4077
Passengers (Min/Max): 100/100
Crew: 65
Officers: International

Deck plan

Cabins

All suites with two twin-size beds or one queen-size bed, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower and other amenities.

Total: 50
Balcony: 16
Ocean View: 50
Inside: 0
Single: 0

Fitness & Leisure

A Jacuzzi spa located on the Sun Deck can double as a plunge pool and and there is a sauna and gymnasium. There are 10 Zodiacs a fleet of 10 inflatable 2-man kayaks and snorkelling equipent are available from the Stern Marina Platform.

Pools Out/In: 0/0
Jacuzzis: 0
Fitness Centre: No
Sauna: No
Steam Room: No
Deck Space: Limited

Restaurants

Meals take place in the beautiful Golden Star Restaurant on the lower deck. The dining room is divided into three sections with 14 tables for six or eight, all lit by a series of portholes.

Main Dining Rooms: 1
Sittings: 1
Non Smoking: Yes
Alternative Dining: 0

Entertainment

There are informative lectures by experts in the arts, antiquities or history. After dinner musicians play tunes for dancing in the Nautilus Club, and occasional star gazing sessions occur on the upper sun deck.
Show Lounges: 0
Cinema: No
Library: No
Casino: No

Dress Code

Dress onboard is smart casual. During the day, comfortable resort wear while in the evening, gents prefer long trousers and a collared sports shirt (no jackets). For ladies, elegantly relaxed with maybe something a little smarter for the Captain's Party.

Tipping

Tipping is not required however should you wish to recognize outstanding service from an individual staff member you are welcome to do so at your discretion.

Disabled

Wheelchair access is unsuitable. There are no facilities for disabled passengers on this ship.

Wheelchair cabins: 0
Lifts: 1

Children

The rating for children is Unsuitable. There are no facilities for children.