When you've exhausted the usual cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean, Baltics, and Caribbean, start looking to Australia's Orion Expedition Cruises for something a bit more adventurous.This luxury expedition cruise line previously had just one ship, the 106-passenger Orion. Today the company announced the long-term charter of a second vessel and will dub her Orion II. Setting sail in May 2011, Orion II will sail Southeast Asia and will call upon Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Indonesian archipelago, Japan, and Borneo. (I can't wait until details about the Borneo cruise are revealed!) Expedition teams are scouting locations now and itineraries will be released in 2010.
This long-term charter is of the Clelia II (to be renamed Orion II in May 2011), a a 100-passenger, all-suite luxury expedition ship. Recently subject to a $19 million refurbishment coordinated by the ship’s current operators, with emphasis on technical enhancements and upgraded environmental systems, Clelia II will also undergo additional cosmetic enhancements to bring her fully into the Orion Expedition Cruises style.
Orion II will accommodate 100 guests in 50 oceanview suites that range from 215 to 285 square feet with either a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen beds, and air conditioning.
According to Orion, the vessel complies with current international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with navigation and communications technology as well as retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull for Antarctic voyages, and a fleet of heavy duty Zodiacs to enable easy shore access in remote locations.
For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Orion at (877) ORION US.
—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Photo courtesy of Orion Expedition Cruises
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