Orion Expedition Cruises

Our Vision: With 25 years extensive experience in the Australian travel industry, holding senior positions that included Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific of Cunard Line, Founder and Managing Director of Norwegian Capricorn Line and senior Federal and State board appointments, it was fitting that Sarina Bratton would develop an exciting new cruise concept for Australia. Her vision was to develop a unique product that would appeal to both domestic and international travellers alike. People who seek the mental stimulation of new experiences and discovery whilst doing so from the comfort of luxurious surroundings. It was the success of the Barrier Reef and Top End itineraries she helped pioneer in 1999 that led her to further research for possible cruise destinations. Both are known as very diverse, nearly inaccessible, areas. Yet, they are coastlines like no other on earth. What better way to showcase such an incredibly diverse area than by cruise ship? It was a trip on a friend's super yacht, calling into beautiful, pristine and unspoilt islands of the southern Barrier Reef, that piqued her interest in showcasing not just the Whitsundays, but also the southern Barrier Reef, the islands of Torres Strait and the far northern reaches of the Barrier Reef. Turtles, manta rays, whales, bird life, deserted beaches, clear night skies, and colours in the Reef and ocean that you only thought possible in dreams. For the Top End and Kimberley regions the experiences offer wild, rugged coastlines with incredible waterfalls, fishing, wildlife, aboriginal art in the wild, and the world's most successful pearling industry. Given the huge 10 metre tides, it also has one of the most challenging operating environments. These are some of the most pristine and sensitive wilderness areas on our planet with little to no infrastructure to support visits by hundreds of people at one time. Understanding this, Orion Expedition Cruises has a social responsibility to develop marine tourism product that is sustainable, that is at the forefront of eco-sensitivity and the benchmark for internationally recognised and sound environmental operating practices. These guiding principles necessitated finding a purpose-built environmentally appropriate vessel that also offered an internationally accepted standard of luxury accommodation and guest facilities. Integral to the successful operation is the relationship with other key supporters of the Orion concept. All are outstanding contributors in their own fields, who share a similar vision for Orion Expedition Cruises and are passionate about protecting the environment. Orion will be actively supported in the Kimberleys by the Paspaley family to ensure guests of the ship will be able to share the joys the family has experienced in the area from more than 70 years involvement in the area. We are creating exclusive experiences for our guests including Grumman Mallard sea plane excursions and the opportunity to visit world famous Paspaley pearl farms the Paspaleys' themselves describe as "The Paspaley's Garden of the Pearls".

Exploring your taste for lifes little luxuries: As Orion heads for some exotic port, or when you return after a day ashore, you can rediscover your capacity for relaxation and indulgence. Take a sauna or laze on deck in our Jacuzzi spa. A masseuse is on hand should those muscles need relaxing. Having freshened up you might like to browse the boutique, visit the hairdresser or perhaps send an email from our computer centre. Your next port of call might be the Observation Lounge: enjoy a cocktail with panoramic 270 degree views and relish the unassuming service delivered by a crew of 65 taking care of just a hundred or so guests.

Award winning chef: In contrast to the wilds of Antarctica, or rugged adventures in the Kimberley, the onboard cuisine is distinctly civilised. Award winning chef, Serge Dansereau of Sydney’s famed Bathers’ Pavilion, has created signature menus inspired by local culinary traditions featuring produce and flavours reflecting the regions you are visiting. Orion’s adventurous spirit is also reflected in our selection of Australian, New Zealand and European wines: some from exceptional, lesser-known wineries to complement our range of familiar labels. Dining at any time is an unhurried experience with a single, unassigned seating in the Constellation Restaurant. Dine with friends you made on yesterday’s exploration ashore or the couple you were chatting to on deck earlier. During the day, is the passing scenery is too spectacular to simply let pass by, take a seat for breakfast or lunch at our Outdoor Cafe. With room enough for all, and all as good things in life should be, dining aboard Orion need never be rushed.

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean: If one destination epitomises a path less travelled, it is our Antarctic expeditions. Mid-way between Australia and the Antarctic continent is amazing Macquarie Island, famous for its wildlife including elephant seals and a breeding population of more than a million royal penguins. It is the only place in the world where rocks from the earth’s mantle – 6km beneath the ocean floor – are exposed above sea level. Nowhere else on earth is the air so fresh, so light, so pristine as in Antarctica or the abundance of wildlife as extraordinary: fur seals, sea lions, whales, albatross, huge flocks of giant petrel. Rarely will an hour pass without some spellbinding sight. Then there are those towering glaciers, the chance to explore abandoned whaling stations and, incredibly, to do something many do not have the chance to do – step ashore on the Antarctic continent, the last to be explored. Walk in the footsteps of men like Shackleton, Scott and Mawson – and even to see the huts that served as their bases. The sense of awe and privilege that these experiences give will live with you for the rest of your life.

The Great Barrier Reef And Torres Strait Islands: The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism, and stretches along 2,300km of coastline to the very tip of Australia. World Heritage listed, this part of our world is spectacular no matter how you look at it – but the experience is all the more enriching when you sail one of Orion’s adventurous itineraries. Our 7-night expeditions include acclaimed islands like Lizard and Hayman in the north, and a selection of well-kept secrets in the southern reaches of the reef known only to passing yachtsmen. Each call reveals the reef and its myriad of islands in their spectacular diversity. From Kelso Reef to the Percy Islands and Kingfisher Bay to Cape Tribulation, you will see sealife, fauna and flora, unlike anything else on the planet. On every voyage you will have the chance to snorkel in waters home to a living a palette of colour. To the far, far north is the very tip of Australia. Step ashore on Cape York and explore the remarkably diverse Torres Strait Islands of Yorke, Thursday and Murray. Join us on an exploration of the unique.

Tasmania and the Tasmanian Sea: As the weather warms up, Orion migrates south exploring the riches of Australian verdant coastline. Spend Christmas Day at anchor in beautiful Jervis Bay, a place lined with beaches so pure that the sands have been converted internationally, and the following day experience the thrilling start to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. New Year’s Eve, consider something very different: watch fireworks in Sydney Harbour from the very best vantage point, onboard Orion, before toasting the New Year as Orion heads out to sea. Orion ventures to Tasmania renown for its amazing diversity. Sample the distinctive cheeses produced on isolated King Island or explore the lower reaches of the Gordon River at Strahan, once the subject of a fierce legal battle between developers and conservationists that stirred the nation. Hike up Mt. Dove to view Orion riding gently at anchor in breathtakingly beautiful Wineglass Bay or delve into Hobart’s Salamanca Markets, in the old port town.