National Geographic Orion

National Geographic Orion is an expedition ship with an ice-strengthened hull, owned and operated by Lindblad Expeditions. Built in 2003 by Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, she carries around 100 passengers, making her a small ship in expedition cruising terms. She was renamed National Geographic Orion in March 2014, joining Lindblad's fleet of expedition vessels.

Orion is purpose-built for working the world's remotest corners, operating primarily in polar and tropical regions. Her hull is ice-reinforced and classed ICE-1A/E3, enabling operations in polar waters with first-year ice up to 0.8 metres thick, and she's fully stabilised for access to small, remote harbours as well as open polar waters. All 53 staterooms face outboard, with portholes or picture windows, so there are no inside cabins at all.

Food is simple and communal. The Main Dining Room offers unassigned seating, serving international cuisine inspired by the ports of call, with all meals served in a single seating. This encourages conversation and easy mixing among guests, many of whom are seasoned expedition travellers.

What sets Orion apart is her expedition toolkit and the people who sail with her. She carries a fleet of 14 rigid inflatable Zodiacs and 24 sea kayaks to support shore landings and exploration in remote regions, accompanied by naturalists and photographers affiliated with National Geographic. As a genuine expedition cruise ship, she carries a full-time physician, wellness specialist, photo instructor, video chronicler, and undersea specialist, alongside dedicated gear including wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, a glass-bottomed boat, and an underwater remotely operated vehicle. Lindblad's Open Bridge policy gives passengers 24-hour access, weather permitting, to the wheelhouse and navigation bridge.

National Geographic Orion suits experienced expedition cruisers who want to travel light, eat simply, and go deep into remote places with expert guidance, from polar ice to tropical reefs and everything in between.

Have you cruised aboard National Geographic Orion? Log this expedition voyage on your account at The Cruise Globe to add it to your Passport and see your actual route!