Virtually surrounded by water, Auckland is known as ‘The City of Sails’ with good reason. Opt to see the city from above with a visit to its Sky Tower, complete with a revolving restaurant! Sail on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour for a taste of its yachting culture. Or head for the natural beauty of Rotorua. A different world completely, here you will find boiling mud pools, spouting geysers and hot springs. A highlight of New Zealand not to be missed!

Founded in early 2004, Australian owned and operated, Orion Expedition Cruises has developed voyages to encourage guests to become a part of the region they are discovering.

Orion is a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest.

Described as the latest in the quest to build the perfect expedition vessel * , all Orion’s staterooms feature ocean views and offer internet access, flat-screen TV, DVD/CD, a choice of twin and queen sized beds, a sitting area and marble bathrooms. Other on board amenities include a health spa with gymnasium, sauna, sun deck Jacuzzi and a stern marina platform.

Orion offers a range of included and optional Shoreside Expeditions designed to enhance the destination exploration for our guests. From Mallard sea plane flights and outback 4WD tours, to snorkeling over pristine coral formations, there are many unique opportunities for guests to visit areas of Australia that even most Australians don’t get to see. As part of our commitment to offering guests an enriching experience, on board speakers have been selected for their knowledge and expertise on the regions they visit. Guests are invited to attend presentations in the 90 seat Lecture Theatre.

Our innovative expeditions are year-round and vary with the seasons:
- Winter (May to September) in the Kimberley, Top End, East Timor, Arnhem Land and Komodo
- Spring (October, November) and Autumn (March, April) in remote and unspoilt parts of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea
- Summer (December, January and February) in the Tasman Sea, Tasmania and Antarctica.

We would be delighted to have you join us on a voyage to some of the most wonderful but rarely seen places on earth.

Orion is a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest.