Australia based cruise line, the 4,000-ton M.V. Orion, carries 106 passengers on expeditionary cruises in luxury and comfort, combining excellent cuisine, spacious cabins and a pampering spa. Its small size and an ice-strengthened hull are specifically built to enter the least accessible waters and icy fields. Other bonuses include a fleet of 10 heavy-duty fast Zodiacs, a near-waterline transom platform from which to board them, and a covey of kayaks for passenger use. Orion has added a second ship to its fleet, Orion II, which will schedule to commence in May 2011. These ships are mainly stationed in the South Pacific, especially around Australia, while provide seasonal expeditions to Antarctica.

Features

• Elegant Australian-style cruising for international guests
• All staterooms feature ocean views and offer internet access and marble bathrooms
• Other onboard amenities include a health spa, gym, sauna, sun deck Jacuzzi and a stern marina platform
• 106 guest with 75 crew – high passenger/crew ratio ensures the best personalized service
• Shore excursion included (partial), some special optional tour available for purchase
• Professional speakers and expedition staff to guide your day to day adventures
• Sporting and adventure equipment and facilities accessible for guests
• Open-seating smart casual ambience
• Gratuity inclusive

Itineraries

M.V. Orion spends the year in season-driven itineraries circling the Australian continent, including voyages to Tasmania and Antarctica, various portions of the Great Barrier Reef, the Islands of the Torres Strait (extending along the Great Barrier Reef from Northern Australia to the edge of Papua New Guinea), Papua New Guinea itself, the Solomon Islands, East Timor and Australia's northern coast. During the southern summers, the ship would set sail to the sub-Antarctic region from New Zealand. Newly created itineraries for 2011 involve Japan and South East Asia.