Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand
Day 2 Snares Islands
Day 3 Auckland Islands
Days 4 through 7 At sea
Days 8 through 12 Commonwealth Bay Region
Days 13 through 15 At sea
Day 16 Macquarie Island
Days 17 and 18 At sea
Day 19 Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand
Our expedition begins in Invercargill, the largest urban center in New Zealand's Southland. The fishing port of Bluff, from which Orion sets sail, is a half hour drive south from Invercargill, and your transfer is included in your tour.

Day 2 Snares Islands
The Snares are two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, and are the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. Weather permitting we'll launch our Zodiacs for an exploration of the sheltered eastern coastline as the island's wildlife protection program precludes landings. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds, 99 recorded species including albatross, Antarctic Terns and Snares Crested Penguins.

Day 3 Auckland Islands
We'll make a wet landing and visit several sites,depending on conditions, including an abandoned Maori settlement, a German expedition observation point at Terror Cove, and a WWII coast watching station at Ranui Cove. We may cruise to Victoria Passage, a dramatic opening at the end of Carnley Harbour. The birdlife of Auckland Island is profuse, and we are bound to see many species today.

Days 4 through 7 At sea
As we make our way through the Southern Ocean, Orion’s Expedition Team will be on hand to prepare you for your expedition experience giving you an overview of all aspects of Antarctic life, with lectures and presentations on wildlife, ice, environmental sustainability and the history of polar exploration. These are given by some of the foremost experts in their fields including botany, marine biology, anthropology and history. We cross the Antarctic Convergence Zone where warm currents meet cold which rise to the surface resulting in nutrient laden waters, a sudden and substantial drop in temperature and abundant marine life. A band of fog defines the convergence and the icebergs may be sighted in this region. We transit a vast wilderness in the company of sea birds (especially albatross and petrels), whales and dolphins. If the opportunity arises we may try to cross directly over the South Magnetic Pole as we head south.

Days 8 through 12 Commonwealth Bay Region
On 8 January 1912 Sir Douglas Mawson landed on the Antarctic continent after a journey from Hobart that took 36 days aboard the Aurora, a ship of just 612 tons. During these voyages to the Antarctic continent, Orion will be positioned in and around Commonwealth Bay on the Adelie coast of Antarctica. Your expedition team will lead a variety of opportunistic landings which may include sites at Cape Denison, Port Martin and Dumont d'Urville. In each instance landings ashore and Zodiac explorations are wholly subject to prevailing weather conditions, in an area Mawson described as "the home of the blizzard."

Days 13 through 15 At sea

Day 16 Macquarie Island
Often described as one of the "wonder spots" of the world, the sub-Antarctic island of Macquarie has been said to rival South Georgia in its magnificence, scenic diversity and prolific wildlife. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a World Heritage Site in 1997, Macquarie now operates a full-time manned station where biological and meteorological research is conducted. The station, located on the isthmus at Buckles Bay, is from where we will meet the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife rangers who will be our guides.
Our planned landing site is Sandy Bay, situated halfway down the island's eastern seaboard. The Zodiacs will traverse breakwaters of giant kelp before reaching rocky beaches where landing conditions can best be described as "wet and challenging." Once ashore you'll find the bay, with its rugged backdrop of mountains and tussock covered headlands, is home to 20,000 breeding pair of royal penguins, king penguins, rock hopper penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals. This profusion of wildlife wasn't always so protected.  The rusting remains of machinery used by whalers are stark reminders of the exploitation which took place on the island during its early history.

Day 17 and 18 At sea

Day 19 Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand
We return to the port of Bluff and then on to Invercargill for the trip home.

Departs December 20, 2012 and January 7, 2013

2014 departures are planned for January 3 and January 21. Call our office for details.

	Category	Type	Price	If booked by May 31
	B	Stateroom	$17,430	sold out
	A	Stateroom	20,235	17,200
	JS	Junior Suite	24,040	20,435
	DS	Deluxe Suite	26,325	23,695
	BS	Balcony Suite	31.425	26,715
	OS	Owners Suite	36,500	31,025

Technically and aesthetically, Orion is arguably the most sophisticated vessel in its class. The Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships guide describes her as "the latest in the quest to build the ideal expedition cruise ship". Constructed by the world-leading Cassens Shipyard in Emden, and launched in November 2003, she boasts a host of advanced design features including technology that sets new standards in sustainable marine environmental practices.
Although custom-made for expedition cruising, Orion is the epitome of elegance. No expense has been spared when it comes to the quality of fittings and furnishings, and the range and calibre of onboard recreational facilities are nothing short of five-star. Orion's luxurious appointments means she is more mega-yacht than cruise ship and her guests are few; around just 50 couples, all cared for in 5-star comfort by a crew of 75. Chart your own path less travelled.

Technical Information
Length: 103 metres
Beam: 14.25 metres
Draft: 3.82 metres
Hull: Ice-reinforced for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic
Ice Class: E3 (Germanischer Lloyd)
Gross Tonnage: 4,000
Engines: Mak; 8M25; 3,265HP
Speed: 15 knots. Cruise speed: 13 knots
Stabilisers: Blohm & Voss, retractable fin stabilisers
Manoeuvrability: Bow and stern thrusters
Built: 2003
Delivery Date: November 2003
Builder: Cassens Shipyard-Emden, Germany
Staterooms and Suites: 53
Guest Capacity: 106 (twin occupancy)
Crew: 75
Elevator: Yes
Classification: Germanischer Lloyd
100 A5 E3 Passenger Ship MC E3 AUT
Regulations: Orion is built according to the latest international safety regulations, including those of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health, Canadian Arctic Shipping, and St. Lawrence Seaway.
Additional Craft: 10 Zodiac Heavy Duty MK5, 10 Kayaks, 2x12 passenger tenders
Communications: Direct-dial satellite telephones; fax; e-mail; Internet access; internal telephone system
Registry: Bahamas