Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand
Day 2 At sea
Day 3 Auckland Islands
Day 4 At sea
Day 5 Macquarie Island
Day 6 through 9 At sea
Day 10 through 14Ross Sea Region
Day 15 through 18 At sea
Day 19 Campbell Island
Day 20 Snares Islands
Day 21 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 At sea

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.

Day 4 At sea

Day 5 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.

Day 6 through 9 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.

Day 10 through 14Ross Sea Region
We will spend five days exploring the southernmost expanse of the Pacific Ocean. This sea is rather shallow and is bounded in the east by the coastal mountains of Victoria Land and in the south by the Ross Ice Shelf, a flat topped body of snow covered glacial ice about the size of France. The southern part of the Ross Sea is not navigable for about nine months of the year. The Ross Sea coast extends from the ice shelf northwards until it reaches the very tip of Victoria Land and Cape Adare. During our time in the Ross Sea Region we will attempt a variety of opportunistic landings, subject to weather conditions. These may include: 

Cape Hallett - Wet landing. Here we may inspect the site of an abandoned US/New Zealand base established during the International Geophysical Year in 1957-58. It is a magnificent area with giant glaciers and surrounding mountains of over 4,000 meters. Weddell Seals and Adelie Penguins are plentiful.

Cape Terra Nova Bay - Wet landing. This site was first discovered by Scott during his 1901-1904 expedition, and is now occupied by an Italian base which operates a summer research station. Then we plan to cruise by the massive Drygalski ice tongue, which extends 70km out into the Ross Sea as part of the David Glacier.

Inexpressible Island – Wet landing. Home to a small Adelie Penguin rookery this low bleak Island is the site of an amazing story of survival where Scott's Northern party were forced to over-winter in a snow cave. Two plaques mark the site of the cave were the men suffered until their departure on the 30th September 1912 for Ross Island across the sea ice. This is a rarely visited site which is challenging to access but if a visit is successful it is not hard to imagine why the men called this place "Hell with a capital H."

Cape Evans - Wet landing. Scott's 1911 Terra Nova Hut is the largest historic building in Antarctica. Used in the 1910 to 1913 British Antarctic Expedition, it served as the base for extensive scientific research and surveys as well as Scott's journey to the South Pole. Much of Scott's equipment is well preserved and we may be able to enter the hut with guides. Ten men of Shackleton's ill-fated imperial trans-Antarctic expeditions were marooned here in 1915 after their ship Aurora was blown out to sea and unable to return. Two of Aurora's anchors remain to this day on the beach in front of the hut. Entering the hut provides a window into the historic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery.

Cape Royds - Wet landing. Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds was constructed during the British Antarctic Nimrod Expedition in 1907-1909. Unable to land at King Edward VII Island, he then entered McMurdo Sound. Ice conditions prevented him reaching Hut Point, the site of Scott's hut, so he selected Cape Royds for winter quarters. Adelie Penguins are slowly reclaiming the site which is the world's southernmost penguin rookery.

Possession Islands - Wet landing. Subject to sea and ice conditions, we hope to make a landing at the rarely visited small and craggy Possession Islands. One of these, Foyn Island, is covered with Adelie Penguins. The islands were discovered by James Clark Ross and Francis Crozier in 1841 during their expedition to locate the south magnetic pole.

Cape Adare - Wet landing. Cape Adare was discovered by Captain James Ross in 1841. We plan to visit Borchgrevink's Hut from the British Southern Cross Expedition, the first to ever spend winter in the Antarctic, in 1899. Up to 1,000,000 Adelie Penguins have reclaimed the site, which is spectacular, surrounded by black volcanic hills. High above the huts is the lonely grave and cross of Borchgrevink's biologist.

Day 15 through 18 At sea

Day 19 Campbell Island
Campbell is a volcanic island with fascinating rock formations. 50 years ago, between 2 and 3 million Rock Hopper Penguins were nesting on the island but since then 90% have been lost to bacterial infection. Less than 20 pairs of Wandering Albatross nest are found here. Approximately 8,500 pairs of Royal Albatross and about 74,000 pairs of Black Browed Mollymawk also call the island home. Over 40 other breeds of birds including the Southern Royal Albatross have also been observed on Campbell Island.

Day 20 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 21 Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand
We return to the port of Bluff and then on to Invercargill for the trip home.

Departs January 25, 2013

2014 departure is scheduled for February 8.  Please call our office for details.

	Category	Type	Price	If booked by May 31
	B	Stateroom	$19,365	N/A
	A	Stateroom	22,485	20,240
	JS	Junior Suite	26,710	22,705
	DS	Deluxe Suite	29,250	26,325
	BS	Balcony Suite	34,915	29,680
	OS	Owners Suite	40,555	34,475

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