Orion Expedition Cruises has released its 2013 Calendar of Sailings

Orion Expedition Cruises has released its 2013 Calendar of Sailings itineraries for the luxury expedition cruise ship Orion. Voyages with appeal to people who may feel they have “been everywhere” explore from the polar reaches of Antarctica to the tropical climes of Borneo, including expeditions to the Kimberley, Papua NewGuinea, Melanesia, New Zealand and the sub Antarctic Islands.

Eight years of operational experience is reflected across a range of 40 five- to 20-night itineraries capturing the very best regional destinations. Some perennially popular voyages, such as Australia’s Kimberley coast, warrant fifteen 10-night voyages in 2013 (and feature an inclusive and exclusive Bungle Bungle sightseeing flight), while other one-off expeditions explore the Solomon islands and the rarely visited Forgotten and Spice Islands of the Indonesian archipelago.

Experiences range from climbing active volcanoes in Melanesia to viewing pre-historic rock art in the Kimberley of North West Australia or an introduction to the ancient cultures of Papua New Guinea. Walk in the footsteps of polar explorers at the historic Antarctic base camps of Mawson, Scott and Shackleton and encounter extensive wild life in its natural habitat - crocodiles in the Kimberley, dragons in Komodo, rare birdlife in the sub Antarctic islands and endangered species of primate in Borneo. For others the food, wine and exclusive golf courses of New Zealand or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef will appeal.

Instead of a floating mega mall, Orion is a compact purpose-built luxury expedition vessel designed to carry just 100 guests in great comfort, with a crew of 75 providing attentive yet unobtrusive service. Sometimes challenging days in remote and unusual locations (in the company of the specialist Expedition Team) are balanced onboard with comforts akin to a small luxury hotel.

Pricing will be available from 1st April 2012 when Orion will start taking bookings.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Orion launches New 2012 Expedition Brochure

Free Flights on Selected Kimberley, Borneo & Vietnam Itineraries plus 15% Early Booking Discounts on Selected Sailings.

Orion Expedition Cruises has released an expanded range of path-less-travelled itineraries for 2012, which include free flights from the UK on selected Kimberley, Borneo and Vietnam voyages as well as early booking discounts of up to 15% on most sailings.

Incorporating the first full year of voyages for Orion II, as well as their original boutique cruiser Orion, these expeditions - well off the marine superhighway - include rarely visited destinations from polar ice cap to the tropics.

In addition to existing itineraries, Orion takes a fresh look at New Zealand with new Pure New Zealand and Bay of Islands voyages. Orion II’s new sailings feature the islands of Micronesia and additional voyages to Japan with Art of Japan and Culinary Voyage of Japan itineraries. China is included for the first time, with expeditions that includes the Yangtze Delta (Kobe to Shanghai) and Shanghai to Tawau (Yangtze, Taiwan, Philippines), while an inaugural visit to Java includes Borobudur.

Free flights are available on all Kimberley sailings between April 13 and September 10; on three Vietnam sailings departing March 12, 21, 30 and on one Borneo sailing departing February 17.

In all, 2012 will see the two purpose-built expedition cruise ships undertake 68 voyages to 17 countries and 174 destinations stretching from Antarctica to the Russian Far East, including Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Inland Sea of Japan, Korea, China and Micronesia (onboard Orion II). Australia’s Kimberley coast, Arnhem Land, Great Barrier Reef, the Spice Islands, New Zealand, the Sub Antarctic islands and Papua New Guinea feature in Orion’s range of expeditions.

The complete 2012 Calendar of Sailings is now on sale. Prices start from £1,630 per person, cruise-only, for a five-night Great Barrier Reef voyage on September 27 and from £4,400 per person for a nine-night Vietnam Explorer voyage, including free flights, with departures on March 12, 21 and 30.

For more info, visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or the UK's expedition cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd

Orion Cruises - Orangutan Foundation International

Orion Expedition Cruises, have announced securing a world-first marketing association with renowned primatologist Dr Galdikas and her Camp Leakey-based Orangutan Foundation International.

Scientist, conservationist and educator, for four decades Dr Biruté Mary Galdikas has studied and worked closely with the orangutans of Indonesian Borneo in their natural habitat and is today the world’s foremost authority on the orangutan. Like Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey, Dr Galdikas was mentored and inspired by Professor Louis Leakey the famed paleoanthropologist.
Highlights of the agreement and the exclusive experiences afforded Orion guests visiting Borneo on Camp Leakey itineraries include:

Orion II’s first Borneo season features eight voyages, three that include a visit to Camp Leakey: 30th September and 29th December 2011 and 8th January 2012.
Dr Galdikas will travel onboard Orion II for all or part of the Camp Leakey voyages as a guest lecturer.
On these visits Dr Galdikas will personally escort Orion’s guests in small groups while at Camp Leakey to visit the Orion Feeding Station, the Infant Care Centre and Rehabilitation area.
29th December 2011 marks Dr Galdikas’ 40th anniversary celebration of Camp Leakey. Dr Galdikas will sail the full cruise and present two onboard lectures with opportunities throughout the cruise to meet her.
Orion Expedition Cruises has donated funds for an orangutan feeding station at Camp Leakey that will be accessed exclusively by Orion II guests.
Orion Expedition Cruises will purchase an Orangutan Adoption Kit for each guest onboard sailing on any 2011 or 2012 Borneo sailing.
Dr Galdikas has been hesitant to allow third party operators to link with her Camp Leakey rehabilitation project. However, the meeting of minds between Dr Galdikas and Sarina Bratton opened the way for a co-operative agreement that will benefit her Orangutan Foundation International through support from Orion Expedition Cruises.
Orion Expedition Cruises’ Borneo voyages cost from £4,770 per person including 10 nights onboard Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.
For further information visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or The Cruise Line