National Geographic Orion

Former name: MS Orion

National Geographic Orion current position

National Geographic Orion current location is at South Pacific Ocean (coordinates -17.49709 S / -149.85820 W) cruising en route to MOOREA. The AIS position was reported 1 hour ago.

All Itineraries Current Position

Current itinerary of National Geographic Orion

National Geographic Orion current cruise is 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise. Prices start from USD 12480 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 19 Mar, 2024 and ends on 28 Mar, 2024.

Specifications of National Geographic Orion

Year of build2003  /  Age: 21
Flag state Bahamas
BuilderCassens Werft GmbH (Emden, Germany)
Engines (power)MAK (2.4 MW / 3218 hp)
Speed15 kn / 28 km/h / 17 mph
Length (LOA)103 m / 338 ft
Beam (width)14 m / 46 ft
Gross Tonnage3984 gt
Passengers102 - 106
Crew75
Passengers-to-space ratio38
Decks6
Cabins53
Decks with cabins5
Last Refurbishment2014
Former namesMS Orion
OwnerLindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc (via Lindblad Expeditions Holdings LLC)
OperatorLindblad National Geographic Cruises (via Fillmore Pearl Cayman Gp LTD)

National Geographic Orion Itineraries

DateItineraryDeparture PortPrice from
2024 Feb 23 13 days, one-way from Lautoka to Papeete Lautoka $16080
2024 Feb 24 14 days, one-way from Papeete to Port Denarau-Nadi Papeete
2024 Mar 09 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $12480
2024 Mar 11 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $13136
2024 Mar 19 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $12480
2024 Mar 21 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $13136
2024 Mar 29 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Polynesia Cruise Papeete $6250
2024 Mar 31 4 days, one-way from Papeete to Bora Bora Island Papeete $6443
2024 Apr 03 4 days, one-way from Bora Bora Island to Papeete Bora Bora Island $6250
2024 Apr 04 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Wild Polynesian Escape Tahiti to Bora Bora Cruise Papeete
2024 Apr 08 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Polynesia Cruise Papeete $6250
2024 Apr 12 15 days, one-way from Papeete to Lautoka Papeete $16400
2024 Apr 13 15 days, one-way from Papeete to Lautoka Papeete $16400
2024 Apr 13 14 days, one-way from Port Denarau-Nadi to Papeete Port Denarau-Nadi $16907
2024 Apr 28 11 days, one-way from Port Denarau-Nadi to Brisbane Port Denarau-Nadi $13790
2024 Apr 28 11 days, one-way from Lautoka to Honiara Lautoka $13790
2024 May 01 11 days, one-way from Brisbane to Port Denarau-Nadi Brisbane
2024 May 09 17 days, one-way from Benoa to Honiara Benoa $24000
2024 May 09 17 days, one-way from Benoa to Brisbane Benoa $24000
2024 May 09 17 days, one-way from Brisbane to Benoa Brisbane $23280
2024 May 26 14 days, one-way from Benoa to Broome WA Benoa $16080
2024 May 26 14 days, one-way from Benoa to Broome WA Benoa $16080
2024 Jun 09 10 days, one-way from Broome WA to Darwin Broome WA $12640
2024 Jun 09 10 days, one-way from Fremantle to Darwin Fremantle $12640
2024 Jun 09 14 days, one-way from Broome WA to Benoa Broome WA $16577
2024 Jun 09 14 days, one-way from Fremantle to Benoa Fremantle $16577
2024 Jun 11 14 days, one-way from Fremantle to Benoa Fremantle $16577
2024 Jun 19 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin $12640
2024 Jun 19 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin $12640
2024 Jun 21 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin
2024 Jun 21 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin
2024 Jun 23 12 days, round-trip 12 Night Bali and Beyond Exploring Indonesias Corals Komodo Dragons and Culture Cruise Benoa $10800
2024 Jun 23 12 days, round-trip 13 Night Bali and Beyond - Exploring Indonesias Corals Komodo Dragons and Culture from Bali Benoa $10800
2024 Jun 29 10 days, one-way from Broome WA to Darwin Broome WA $12640
2024 Jun 29 10 days, one-way from Fremantle to Darwin Fremantle $12640
2024 Jul 09 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin $12640
2024 Jul 09 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin $12640
2024 Jul 11 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin
2024 Jul 11 10 days, one-way from Darwin to Broome WA Darwin $12640
2024 Jul 19 14 days, one-way from Broome WA to Benoa Broome WA $16577
2024 Jul 19 14 days, one-way from Fremantle to Benoa Fremantle $16577
2024 Jul 19 14 days, one-way from Fremantle to Benoa Fremantle $16080
2024 Aug 02 10 days, one-way from Benoa to Singapore Benoa $14360
2024 Aug 02 10 days, one-way from Benoa to Singapore Benoa $14360
2024 Aug 03 10 days, one-way from Benoa to Singapore Benoa $14360
2024 Aug 12 9 days, one-way from Singapore to Phuket Singapore $11152
2024 Aug 12 9 days, one-way from Singapore to Phuket Singapore $11152
2024 Aug 21 9 days, one-way from Singapore to Phuket Singapore $11152
2024 Sep 13 10 days, one-way from Singapore to Benoa Singapore $11488
2024 Sep 13 10 days, one-way from Singapore to Benoa Singapore $14360
2024 Sep 13 10 days, one-way from Singapore to Benoa Singapore $11488
2024 Sep 14 10 days, one-way from Singapore to Benoa Singapore $14360
2024 Sep 23 17 days, one-way from Honiara to Benoa Honiara $23280
2024 Sep 23 17 days, one-way from Brisbane to Benoa Brisbane $23280
2024 Oct 10 14 days, one-way from Honiara to Auckland Honiara $16080
2024 Oct 10 14 days, one-way from Brisbane to Auckland Brisbane $16080
2024 Oct 12 13 days, one-way from Brisbane to Auckland Brisbane
2024 Oct 23 11 days, one-way from Auckland to Fiordland National Park Auckland $24030
2024 Oct 23 12 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $19418
2024 Oct 23 12 days, one-way from Auckland to Queenstown NZ Auckland $24030
2024 Oct 23 12 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $19418
2024 Oct 25 12 days, one-way from Auckland to Queenstown NZ Auckland $24030
2024 Oct 25 12 days, one-way from Queenstown NZ to Auckland Queenstown NZ $19418
2024 Nov 04 12 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $19224
2024 Nov 04 12 days, one-way from Queenstown NZ to Auckland Queenstown NZ $24030
2024 Nov 04 12 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $19224
2024 Nov 06 10 days, one-way from Fiordland National Park to Auckland Fiordland National Park $24030
2024 Nov 06 12 days, one-way from Queenstown NZ to Auckland Queenstown NZ $24030
2024 Nov 06 12 days, one-way from Queenstown NZ to Auckland Queenstown NZ $19224
2024 Nov 16 18 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $28962
2024 Nov 16 18 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $35840
2024 Nov 16 18 days, one-way from Auckland to Dunedin Auckland $28962
2024 Dec 04 18 days, one-way from Dunedin to Auckland Dunedin $35840
2024 Dec 04 18 days, round-trip 19 Night New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands Cruise and Land Tour Auckland $35840
2024 Dec 06 18 days, round-trip 19 Night Southern Odyssey New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands Cruise and Land Tour Auckland $35840
2024 Dec 22 13 days, one-way from Auckland to Honiara Auckland $17060
2024 Dec 22 13 days, one-way from Auckland to Brisbane Auckland $17060
2024 Dec 24 13 days, one-way from Auckland to Honiara Auckland $13648
2024 Dec 24 13 days, one-way from Auckland to Brisbane Auckland $13648
2025 Jan 04 11 days, one-way from Honiara to Lautoka Honiara $13920
2025 Jan 04 11 days, one-way from Brisbane to Port Denarau-Nadi Brisbane $13920
2025 Jan 06 11 days, one-way from Honiara to Lautoka Honiara $11248
2025 Jan 06 11 days, one-way from Brisbane to Port Denarau-Nadi Brisbane $11248
2025 Jan 15 13 days, one-way from Lautoka to Papeete Lautoka $16240
2025 Jan 16 14 days, one-way from Lautoka to Papeete Lautoka $16240
2025 Jan 29 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Polynesia Cruise Papeete $6310
2025 Jan 30 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $10800
2025 Jan 30 4 days, one-way from Papeete to Bora Bora Island Papeete $6373
2025 Feb 03 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Polynesia Cruise Papeete $6310
2025 Feb 08 10 days, round-trip 10 Night Ancient Polynesia Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands Cruise Papeete $12240
2025 Feb 08 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Ancient Polynesia Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands Cruise Papeete $12363
2025 Feb 18 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Ancient Polynesia Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands Cruise Papeete $12240
2025 Feb 19 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Ancient Polynesia Tuamotus and Marquesas Islands Cruise Papeete $12240
2025 Feb 28 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $12600
2025 Mar 01 9 days, round-trip 9 Night Pearls of the Pacific Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands Cruise Papeete $12727
2025 May 24 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Greek Isles Odyssey Mythology History and Cerulean Seas Cruise Piraeus-Athens $7493
2025 Jun 21 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Split Piraeus-Athens $7493
2025 Jun 28 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Split Piraeus-Athens $7493
2025 Jul 23 10 days, round-trip 10 Night Crossroads of the Ancient World Exploring Greece and Turkey Cruise Piraeus-Athens $11990
2025 Aug 09 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Split Piraeus-Athens $7493
2025 Aug 16 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Treasures of the Adriatic Croatias Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro Cruise Split $9243
2025 Aug 23 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Treasures of the Adriatic Croatias Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro Cruise Split $9243
2025 Sep 06 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Greek Isles Odyssey Mythology History and Cerulean Seas Cruise Piraeus-Athens $8193

National Geographic Orion Review

Review of National Geographic Orion

The 2003-built National Geographic Orion cruise ship was originally built for Explorer Maritime and operated by the US-based company Travel Dynamics International. After the March 2014 drydock refurbishment, the boat joined Lindblad's fleet and received its current Nat Geo name.

The vessel (IMO number 9273076) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311603000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

The 100-passenger ship Nat Geo Orion is a luxurious boat, fully stabilized, with an ice-class hull that allows navigation in polar regions as well access to the smallest harbors.

Lindblad National Geographic Orion cruise ship

The National Geographic Orion cruise ship is owned and operated by Lindblad Expeditions in cooperation with the National Geographic Society (aka NatGeo - a US non-profit institution for science and education).

The partnership that Nat Geo has with the Lindblad Expeditions line enables passengers to enjoy an expedition-style small ship travel vacation as active explorers. Lindblad cruise ships sail unique destinations to explore out-of-the-way inlets, making Zodiac landings and looking for wildlife.

Decks and Cabins

National Geographic Orion has 7 decks (3 with cabins) and total 53 staterooms, all of which are Outside and with either portholes or picture windows.

The number of cabin grades is 8.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Nat Geo Orion has one Main Dining Room with unassigned tables. The restaurant offers international cuisine inspired by ports of call. All meals are served single seating.

The ship carries a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, as well as video equipment allowing to access the underwater world. Orion is also equipped with diving and snorkeling gear.

Lindblad's “Open Bridge” policy allows passengers 24-hour access (depending on weather conditions) to the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge to meet and converse with the ship's officers on duty and the Captain.

A video chronicler, undersea specialist, photography instructor, and full-time doctor, are part of the expedition team.

Lindblad National Geographic Orion cruise ship

Public areas include the Outdoor Bar and Café, an Observation Lounge with a full-service bar, sun deck, lecture theater, facilities for films and presentations, library and Global Gallery (gift shop). Onboard, guests can also find a LEX Spa, mud room, sauna, spa treatment rooms, a hot tub/plunge pool, and a fitness room.

Itineraries

Nat Geo Orion's itinerary program is based on Antarctica expedition voyages in the Southern Ocean, together with adventure travel cruises in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Lindblad Cruises 2019 program included one of the world's most wildlife-rich travel destinations - Russia's Arctic territories. The itineraries included:

  • The "Across the Bering Sea" (Katmai to Kamchatka, around 4400 ml / 7000 km) nearly circumnavigated the Bering Sea, The 22-days itinerary (leaving June 18 and July 21, 2019) had fares starting at USD 25,850 pp (double occupancy Category 1 cabin).
  • The "Life and Legend on the Bering Sea" cruise (13 days, departures July 9 and September 4, 2019) had fares from USD 16230 pp.
  • The "Exploring Russia's Far East and Wrangel Island" cruise (along Siberia's coastline) was a 13-days itinerary (departures August 11 and 23, 2019) with fares from USD 16230 pp.

In late-September 2020, Lindblad announced plans to deploy National Geographic Orion in French Polynesia starting operations in January 2021 with roundtrips from homeport Papeete Tahiti. Soon followed an announcement about NatGeo Orion's 14-day Japan coastal voyage (departure Sept 15, 2021) with prices from USD 20800 pp (double occupancy). A second (13-day Japan and Taiwan) voyage departs on Sept 28, with prices from USD 19320 pp.

National Geographic Orion - user reviews and comments

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National Geographic Orion Wiki

Lindblad Orion ship was originally built for Explorer Maritime, and operated by the US-based company Travel Dynamics International. In March 2014, mv Orion received its current name.

As a true expedition cruise ship, National Geographic Orion has staffed a full-time physician, wellness specialist, photo instructor, video chronicler, undersea specialist. Another feature is the specific expedition equipment on the ship, including kayaks, Zodiacs, wet suits, snorkeling gear, glass-bottom boat, and underwater remotely operated vehicle. National Geographic Orion ship's hull is ice-reinforced for cruises in polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). The ship's ROV (remotely operated vehicle) can dive to 1000 ft / 305 m sea depth. The "Open Bridge” policy of Lindblad Expeditions allows the crew to welcome guests to the navigation bridge.

NAT GEO Orion has installed Fleet Xpress - fast Internet connectivity provided by Inmarsat (owner and operator of a global satellite network). Fleet Xpress is fully integrated with the boat's phone system (PABX) and comm platforms.

Ship's namesake is the Viking Ocean-owned liner Viking Orion (2018-built).

Nat Geo Orion has max draft 4 m (13 ft) and a powerplant based on MAK marine diesel engines (model MAK8-M25) with total output 2400 kW. The vessel (yard/hull number 236) was constructed by Cassens Werft in Emden Germany.