National Geographic Orion

An authentic expedition ship, purpose-built for exploring the South Pacific and its surrounding regions

Overview

Featuring 53 cabins, the gracious and intimate National Geographic Orion takes travelers to little-known waters and isles in the South Pacific, Australia, and Indonesia to experience each location's natural and cultural wonders up close. With her high ice-class rating, National Geographic Orion is strong enough to explore the polar regions, yet her elevated maneuverability allows for navigation of inshore waters, secluded bays, and sinuous rivers—practically anywhere accessible by sea.

 

At the helm of National Geographic Orion is an expert crew, capable of handling intricate operations that large cruise ships could never attempt. The ship features modern navigational equipment and technological abilities that allow her to navigate safely, even in uncharted waters​. She currently holds the distinction of having sailed further south than any other vessel in the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet.

 

National Geographic Orion offers guests a spirited, almost clubby environment onboard. Of her many amenities and features, the most appealing is her outdoor deck space, which beckons in the balmy reaches of the South Pacific and beyond and offers a range of panoramic views of the region’s rich avian and marine life.

The Details

53 outside cabins

All feature ocean views, private facilities, climate controls, hair dryers and flat-screen TV, plus Ethernet, Wi-Fi connections and USB ports for mobile devices. Some cabins have French balconies. Single cabins in Category 1 and Category 3 include #301, 322, 323, and 512.

Dining

Meals are served in the dining room, or weather permitting, the outdoor café, at a single seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menus feature sustainable choices, local where possible.

Public Spaces

Reception; two dining areas; lounge with bar and state-of-the-art presentation facilities; OM System Photo Gear Locker; sundeck with a whirlpool hot tub that doubles as a plunge pool in warm climates; observation lounge and library; global gallery; a marina platform; plus open access to the Bridge, the Captain, officers and on-duty wildlife spotters.

Wellness

A fitness center, LEXspa treatment room and sauna, staffed by wellness specialists.

Special Features

A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic Photography Expert, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor and video chronicler. On all South Pacific voyages, there are a minimum of two dive masters. A central staircase, and elevator reaches all decks.

Expedition Tools

Zodiac landing craft, including glass-bottom Zodiac; a fleet of double kayaks; a crow’s nest camera; a hydrophone; underwater video cameras; video microscope; and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) that can explore the ocean at depths to 1.000 feet​. On South Pacific voyages: snorkeling gear for all guests, scuba gear for a number of pre-qualified guests, stand-up paddleboards, and splash-cam.

Noteworthy Feature

Teatime, daily. And the smoothies served after the sunrise stretch sessions on the sundeck in Polynesia. Don’t miss either opportunity.

(6) National Geographic Orion Itineraries

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands

Duration

10 days
  1. Feb
  2. May

From

$12,488

Prices are per person

Highlights

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands

Duration

10 days
  1. Feb
  2. May

From

$12,488

Top Highlights

  • Dive and snorkel in clear, warm waters in an extraordinary undersea world of melon-headed whales, 16-foot manta rays, green sea turtles, and vast schools of pelagic fish
  • Experience the world’s largest Marine Mammal Sanctuary, where 20 species of whales and dolphins include resident spinner dolphins, nomad sperm whales, and migrating humpback whales
  • Learn about Polynesian history on visits to an 8-foot tiki and ancient petroglyphs
  • Connect with island residents through a cultural dance performance at a me-ae (sacred site), sample local foods, and attend a church service
  • Appreciate the skilled artisanry of tapa (cloth made from tree bark), carvings in bone and rosewood, and oils and perfumes crafted from local natural sources like the tiare flower
  • On hikes and excursions in kayaks and Zodiacs, be on the lookout for birds including endangered ultramarine lorikeet, zebra doves, manakins, and fairy terns
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Special Offers

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French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring The Society and Tuamotu Islands

Duration

10 days
  1. Feb
  2. Mar
  3. Jun

From

$9,910

Prices are per person

Highlights

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring The Society and Tuamotu Islands

Duration

10 days
  1. Feb
  2. Mar
  3. Jun

From

$9,910

Top Highlights

  • In clear, warm waters, experience an extraordinary undersea world of whales and dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles, sharks and vast schools of colorful fish
  • Swim into an otherworldly grotto on Makatea and float in a hidden cave surrounded by stalagmites and stalactites
  • Learn about Polynesian history and culture at Ra'iatea’s Marae Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Spend a day on the small island of Anaa and in its biodiverse lagoon, meeting fishermen and skilled local artisans who craft jewelry from stones mined on the island, string elaborate shell necklaces, and weave cloth with island motifs
  • Be on the lookout for endemic birds like the blue lorikeet, chattering kingfisher, and Makatea fruit dove
  • Enjoy special dining experiences including a barbecue with live music on a private motu in Bora Bora and a lunch of Polynesian specialties at a beachside restaurant in Ra'iatea
  • See iconic and awe-inspiring landscapes like Bora Bora’s verdant Mount Otemanu, jutting 2,400 feet above turquoise waters, and Makatea’s steep cliffs that drop straight to deserted beaches
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Special Offers

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French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Rites and Relics: From The Solomon Islands to Fiji

Duration

13 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr

From

$10,362

Prices are per person

Highlights

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Rites and Relics: From The Solomon Islands to Fiji

Duration

13 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr

From

$10,362

Top Highlights

  • Arrive to Owaraha in the Solomon Islands for a series of traditional dances and music, then walk to see the island’s traditional spirit houses
  • Take a local canoe ride up the crystal-clear Riri River to the spectacular Riri Blue Hole grotto on Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo Island
  • Visit mysterious Ambrym Island in Vanuatu—known as a place of magic and spirits—and witness the traditional Rom dance
  • Visit the traditional island of the Fijian firewalkers—Beqa
  • Spot rare and colorful birds and flowers on Fiji’s spectacular “Garden Island,” Taveuni, and the lovely and less-visited Kadavu
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Special Offers

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Antarctica

Australia and New Zealand

New and Noteworthy

New Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands

Duration

20 days
  1. Jan
  2. Nov
  3. Dec

From

$28,962

Prices are per person

Highlights

Antarctica

Australia and New Zealand

New and Noteworthy

New Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands

Duration

20 days
  1. Jan
  2. Nov
  3. Dec

From

$28,962

Top Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in unparalleled beauty: scenic beaches and lush native forests in the North Island and deep fjords and dramatic landscapes in the South Island.
  • Discover the history and dynamic culture of New Zealand and the Maori people.
  • Explore the sub-Antarctic islands which remain almost completely protected from human activity and are home to a diverse collection of endemic plant and animal species
  • Delve into New Zealand’s cultural riches – from Napier’s Art Deco architecture, to historical Maori sites.
  • Visit Abel Tasman National Park where we’ll discover its golden sand beaches, abundant bird life, and native forests.
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Special Offers

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French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Tahiti to Fiji: Reefs, Lagoons and Volcanic Isles

Duration

15 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. Jun

From

$16,070

Prices are per person

Highlights

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Tahiti to Fiji: Reefs, Lagoons and Volcanic Isles

Duration

15 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. Jun

From

$16,070

Top Highlights

  • Visit the marae complex of Marae Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important cultural sites in Polynesia
  • Snorkel, swim, or stand-up paddleboard in the clear, aqua lagoons and reefs of French Polynesia
  • Spot rare and colorful birds and flowers on Fiji’s spectacular “Garden Island,” Taveuni, and in the rainforests of Samoa
  • Visit remote island villages and discover rich cultural histories, including the tradition of fire-walking in Fiji
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Special Offers

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Australia and New Zealand

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Under The Southern Cross: New Zealand to Melanesia

Duration

16 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Oct
  4. Dec

From

$12,994

Prices are per person

Highlights

Australia and New Zealand

French Polynesia & Pacific Islands

New and Noteworthy

New Under The Southern Cross: New Zealand to Melanesia

Duration

16 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Oct
  4. Dec

From

$12,994

Top Highlights

  • Encounter an impressive diversity of cultures from the Maori of the Bay of Islands to the spear dancers of the Solomons, and delve into their artistic and spiritual traditions
  • Venture to the former penal colony of Norfolk Island, now a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting the unusual trees called Norfolk Island pines
  • See the stunning limestone geology of New Caledonia at Isle of Pines and visit a cave filled with primitive tree ferns
  • Visit important World War II sites, including the wreck of the S.S. President Coolidge and the Battle of Guadalcanal
  • Come ashore at Tikopia. Meet the local chiefs of the traditional villages and learn about the cyclone that almost devastated the island in 2002—without any loss of life
  • See the fantastic fishing canoes of the people of Utupua and take a Zodiac ride along their mangrove-studded lagoon
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Special Offers

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Talk to an experience specialist

1 212.765.7740

1-800-397-3348

Make a reservation

Book Now

View or order a brochure

View brochure

Talk to an experience specialist

1 212.765.7740

1-800-397-3348

Make a reservation

Book Now

View or order a brochure

View brochure