Orion Cruises Australia2013-2014SAVE $$$'s HERE on Orion Cruises!






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Overview - The Orion embarks on an annual circuit of Australia's southern, eastern and northern waters exploring some of the most wonderful but rarely seen places on earth, making small but key changes every year to offer unique itineraries. She offers expeditions to NW Australia’s rugged Kimberley coast, Australia’s ‘Top End’, the Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Tasmania, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica (for which she was built).

In 2013 go where no other ships venture: In April around West Papua; in September islands of Indonesia east of Bali; and also get to visit Borobudur, and central Borneo with its orang-utans. This is world class. All suites and staterooms are exterior. Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising rates it as the latest in the worldwide quest to build the perfect expedition vessel.

Life aboard Orion - MV Orion is designed to access the inaccessible in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the latest in maritime and environmental technology with elegant comfort. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest. A spacious observation lounge on the top deck opens onto a full wrap-around deck for optimal viewing. A fleet of ten Zodiac inflatable motorized boats, a covey of kayaks, and a near-waterline transom platform from which to board them, make it possible to land in shallow areas and navigate small rivers and waterways.

Life onboard is casual, led by experts in the sciences, history and culture, who provide background lectures, briefings, daily recaps and lead exploration trips ashore. Guests tend to be well travelled, mature, adventurous and tolerant of unexpected events, with loads of interesting stories to share. Eighty percent of Orion's passengers are repeat guests. This is an exceptional vessel.

Accommodation - All 53 suites and staterooms are exterior and feature a sitting area or living room, hand-crafted cabinetry, TV, DVD/ CD player, Internet access, mini-refrigerator, safe deposit box, marble bathroom with fluffy towels and robes, ample closet space, twin beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, and 24-hour room service. Whatever accommodation guests choose, the facilities are top rate. Staterooms have ocean views through large oval windows. The adventure cruises are not suited to wheelchair-dependency.

Junior suites mostly have a two-seater sofa and large rectangular window. Balcony suites have an open living room, and full-height sliding glass doors opening to a private French Balcony. The Owners’ Suites contain a beautifully appointed separate bedroom and living room. Only the Owners’ Suites have a bathtub; all others have large shower enclosures. TV offerings include two feature films per day, informational channels on destinations, a GPS display of the ship's location, and feeds from the Cosmos Lecture Hall and the forward-looking bridge-cam. A changing slate of satellite news and sports outlets is offered based on the ship's current location.

Food & Dining - Dining is buffet for breakfast and lunch at the Outdoor Café, and à la carte dinners served at a single open seating in the Constellation Restaurant. Guests choose when and with whom they dine. Menus are created by Serge Dansereau of ‘The Bathers’ Pavilion’ fame, featuring produce and flavours of the regions visited. The cuisine is extremely good and varied. The wine list draws from familiar and lesser-known wineries of Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The dining atmosphere is relaxed yet sophisticated.

The Delphinus Outdoor Café offers al fresco dining with the same menu and service as presented in the restaurant, and occasional barbeque dinners. Espresso/cappuccinos are complimentary in the two lounges/bars and restaurant. The Leda Lounge and Cocktail Bar is the hub of social life aboard. Early Riser breakfast and Afternoon Tea are both served in the Observation Lounge on the top deck. An outdoor bar is located next to the Jacuzzi spa. The service staff are Filipinos, warm and communicative.

Entertainment & Activities - There is no formal entertainment, apart from a small number of musical soloists who play background music and host the daily team-trivia game. Lectures by the expedition staff in the Leda Lounge (along with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres) review the day’s activities, with a video or Power Point presentation. During the day there are often lectures presented by specialists, about marine or plant biology, and insights into the regions visited.

A fleet of ten Zodiac inflatable motorized boats, a covey of kayaks, and a near-waterline transom platform from which to board them, make it possible to land in shallow areas and navigate small rivers and waterways. Expeditionary teams lead nature hikes and other explorations. A mud room on the lower deck stores equipment used during a day of exploration. Optional shore excursions may include helicopter flights, bus tours and scuba diving.

Cruise Calendars for • 2013 • 2014

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