National Geographic Orion

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

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

History - construction and ownership

The 100-passenger Nat Geo Orion is a luxury expedition ship, fully stabilized and built with an ice-class hull that allows operations in polar regions as well as access to small, remote harbors.

National Geographic Orion is owned and operated by Lindblad Expeditions in cooperation with the National Geographic Society (NatGeo, a US nonprofit institution dedicated to science and education).

The Lindblad–Nat Geo partnership enables travelers to experience expedition-style small-ship voyages as active explorers. Lindblad vessels sail to remote destinations, exploring secluded inlets, making Zodiac landings, and searching for wildlife.

Decks and Cabins

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

The ship offers 8 cabin categories.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Nat Geo Orion features a Main Dining Room with unassigned seating. The restaurant serves international cuisine inspired by the ports of call, and all meals are offered in a single seating.

The vessel carries a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, along with video equipment used to capture and present the underwater world. The ship is also equipped with diving and snorkeling gear.

Lindblad's “Open Bridge” policy provides passengers with 24-hour access (weather permitting) to the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge, where they can meet the officers on duty and the Captain.

The expedition team includes a video chronicler, undersea specialist, photography instructor, and a full-time physician.

Public areas include the Outdoor Bar and Café, an Observation Lounge with a full-service bar, a sun deck, lecture theater, film and presentation facilities, a library, and the Global Gallery (gift shop). Additional amenities include the LEX Spa, mud room, sauna, spa treatment rooms, hot tub/plunge pool, and a fitness room.

Itineraries

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

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

• The “Across the Bering Sea” voyage (Katmai to Kamchatka, approx 4400 ml / 7000 km), which nearly circumnavigated the Bering Sea. The 22-day itinerary (departures June 18 and July 21, 2019) had fares starting at USD 25,850 per person (double occupancy, Category 1 cabin).
• The “Life and Legend on the Bering Sea” itinerary (13 days, departures July 9 and September 4, 2019), with fares from USD 16,230 per person.
• The “Exploring Russia's Far East and Wrangel Island” cruise (along Siberia’s coastline), a 13-day itinerary (departures August 11 and 23, 2019) with fares from USD 16,230 per person.

In late September 2020, Lindblad announced plans to deploy National Geographic Orion in French Polynesia beginning January 2021, offering roundtrip cruises from Papeete, Tahiti. The company also introduced a 14-day Japan coastal voyage (departure September 15, 2021) with fares from USD 20,800 per person (double occupancy), followed by a second 13-day Japan and Taiwan itinerary departing September 28, with fares from USD 19,320 per person.

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

As a true expedition cruise ship, National Geographic Orion carries a full-time physician, wellness specialist, photo instructor, video chronicler, and undersea specialist. The vessel is also equipped with dedicated expedition gear, including kayaks, Zodiacs, wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, a glass-bottom boat, and an underwater remotely operated vehicle. National Geographic Orion’s hull is ice-reinforced for operations in polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). Her ROV (remotely operated vehicle) can dive to depths of up to 1000 ft / 305 m. Lindblad Expeditions’ “Open Bridge” policy allows guests to visit the navigation bridge.

NAT GEO Orion is fitted with Fleet Xpress, the high-speed Internet service provided by Inmarsat (operator of a global satellite network). Fleet Xpress is fully integrated with the ship’s PABX phone system and communication platforms.

The ship’s namesake is the Viking Ocean-owned liner Viking Orion (built 2018).

Nat Geo Orion has a maximum draft of 4 m (13 ft) and a powerplant consisting of MAK marine diesel engines (model MAK 8-M25) with a total output of 2400 kW. The vessel (yard/hull number 236) was constructed by Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany.