National Geographic Orion
SMALL LUXURY EXPEDITION SHIP (102 GUESTS)
National Geographic Orion is a modern, elegant ship with an intimate ambiance. The window-lined main lounge and library offer spectacular views while the expedition community are gathered each evening for cocktails and a recap of the day’s activities. High atop the vessel, the cosy observation lounge is ideal for taking in the 270º views, or you might choose to brave the outdoor bar (with ambient heaters) on the same deck. The 53 cabins accommodate 102 guests and all are exterior, with most featuring picture windows that connect you with the Antarctic landscape.
Built in Germany in 2003 and engineered for maximum safety and comfort, Orion is ice-strengthened and has the latest technology, including large retractable stabilisers, sonar and radar. Its fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures quick disembarkation and offers the ideal transport for up-close exploration.
In 2019, the fleet of National Geographic ships have become 100% Carbon-Neutral. Not only will you be travelling with an extremely knowledgeable expedition team, you will also be travelling on board an environmentally sustainable and responsible ship.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION DATES AND PRICES
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION 2025-26 DATES AND PRICES
Prices in AUD$ – per person twin share (triple share in triple cabins)
Click on Cruise itinerary name below to view detailed description of your Antarctic Cruise
| Cruise Itinerary | Start Date | End Date | Days | Starts / Ends | CAT 1 | CAT 2 | CAT 3 | CAT 4 | CAT 5 | CAT 6 | CAT 1S (Solo) | CAT 3S (Solo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 16 Nov 2025 | 24 Nov 2025 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $15,679 | $17,314 | $17,771 | $18,926 | $23,063 | $26,434 | $22,320 | $25,474 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 22 Nov 2025 | 30 Nov 2025 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $15,679 | $17,314 | $17,771 | $18,926 | $23,063 | $26,434 | $22,320 | $25,474 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 28 Nov 2025 | 6 Dec 2025 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $15,679 | $17,314 | $17,771 | $18,926 | $23,063 | $26,434 | $22,320 | $25,474 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 4 Dec 2025 | 12 Dec 2025 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $15,679 | $17,314 | $17,771 | $18,926 | $23,063 | $26,434 | $22,320 | $25,474 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 14 Dec 2025 | 22 Dec 2025 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $15,679 | $17,314 | $17,771 | $18,926 | $23,063 | $26,434 | $22,320 | $25,474 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 20 Dec 2025 | 28 Dec 2025 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $19,250 | $21,063 | $21,634 | $23,074 | $28,251 | $32,469 | $27,314 | $31,269 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 26 Dec 2025 | 4 Jan 2026 | 10 | Puerto Natales | $22,107 | $24,231 | $24,874 | $26,494 | $32,319 | $37,063 | $31,264 | $35,713 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 2 Jan 2026 | 11 Jan 2026 | 10 | Puerto Natales | $19,964 | $22,123 | $22,701 | $24,180 | $29,413 | $33,681 | $28,449 | $32,447 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 13 Jan 2026 | 21 Jan 2026 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $17,107 | $19,189 | $19,703 | $21,017 | $25,669 | $29,463 | $24,811 | $28,366 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 19 Jan 2026 | 28 Jan 2026 | 10 | Puerto Natales | $19,964 | $22,123 | $22,701 | $24,180 | $29,413 | $33,681 | $28,449 | $32,447 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 26 Jan 2026 | 3 Feb 2026 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $17,107 | $19,189 | $19,703 | $21,017 | $25,669 | $29,463 | $24,811 | $28,366 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 1 Feb 2026 | 9 Feb 2026 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $17,107 | $19,189 | $19,703 | $21,017 | $25,669 | $29,463 | $24,811 | $28,366 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 11 Feb 2026 | 20 Feb 2026 | 10 | Puerto Natales | $19,964 | $22,123 | $22,701 | $24,180 | $29,413 | $33,681 | $28,449 | $32,447 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 18 Feb 2026 | 26 Feb 2026 | 9 | Puerto Natales | $16,679 | $18,354 | $18,869 | $20,171 | $24,823 | $28,617 | $23,989 | $27,531 |
| Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake | 24 Feb 2026 | 5 Mar 2026 | 10 | Puerto Natales | $19,964 | $22,123 | $22,701 | $24,180 | $29,413 | $33,681 | $28,449 | $32,447 |
Note: Some of these voyages require the additional purchase of a charter flight. Please contact us for more details and pricing.
Voyage price includes bar tab & staff gratuities onboard the National Geographic Orion
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION 2025-26 CRUISES
For more information on the voyages we offer, call 1300 784 794 or email contact@antarcticatravelcentre.com.au
National Geographic Orion Cabins
Cat 6 Owner’s Suite with French Balcony are room numbers #502, 507, 509*, 510 and are located on the Bridge Deck. These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, with the exception of #509 which has double windows. Each provides a separate living area with a sofa and two arm chairs, except for #502, which uniquely offers a ‘soaking tub with a view’ in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity. All cabins have reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Cat 5 Suite with French Balcony rooms #501, 503-506, 508 are located on the Bridge Deck. These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. Beds are configurable. A sitting area with arm chairs and a sofa, a writing/laptop desk, well-placed reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the decor. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Cat 4 Deluxe Suite with Window room #511, 515 are located on the Bridge Deck. These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a chair and armchair and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Beds are configurable. Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Cat 3S Suite with Window room #512 is located on the Bridge Deck. This solo suite features two beds and two large windows, plus two armchairs and small table, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. The marble bathroom is generously sized and includes a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Cat 3 Suite with Window room #401-412, 414-419 are located on the Upper Deck. These suites feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa–except slightly smaller #401 & #402–an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, flat screen TV, & climate controls. Beds are configurable. Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. The main lounge is the social heart of the ship, on this deck, along with the outdoor café where breakfast & lunch are served.
Cat 2 room #302-312, 314, 315, 317 are located on the Main Deck. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized, and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Dinner is served in the dining room, located on this deck.
Cat 1 room #316, 318-321 are located on the Main Deck. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Dinner is served in the dining room, located on this deck.
Cat 1S room #301, 322, 323 are located on the Main Deck. These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, except for #301 which has a double bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a roomy shower stall with a glass door. Dinner is served in the dining room, located on this deck.
Deck Plan
Ship Details
- Lounge and bar
- Library well stocked with polar books & DVDs
- Large dining room
- Outdoor cafe
- Observation lounge
- Theatre-style presentation room
- Gift shop
- Fitness room and massage room
- Hot tub and sauna
For passengers utilising pre-expedition package with charter flights to/from Ushuaia (Additional cost AU$1550):
Group transfer from airport to hotel in Santiago (only for flight arrival at set time)
1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast and city tour in Santiago
Group transfer from hotel to airport for charter flight to Ushuaia
Transfers from airport to pier for catamaran cruise including lunch
Group transfer from Ushuaia pier to airport
Charter flight from Ushuaia to Santiago
All passengers:
Cabin accommodation aboard cruise as selected
All meals aboard ship throughout your voyage
Non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate as well as light snacks
Services of Expedition leader, naturalist staff and expert guides
Presentations on history, wildlife, geography, etc.
Zodiac cruises and shore excursions in Antarctica with expedition team
Use of kayaks
A fully-lined windproof, water-resistant parka to keep (note: you are required to provide your own knee-high rubber boots with high-traction soles)
Hairdryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Ushuaia group departure transfer to airport
Staff and Crew: 75
Guests: 102
Lifeboats: 4 Life/tender/rescue boats
Dimensions: Length: 102.7m, Draft: 3.82m, Beam: 14.25m
Stabilisers: Blohm & Voss, retractable fin stabilisers
Speed: 12.5 knots maximum
Built: 2003, Germany
Ice Class: Germanischer Lloyd E3
Operator: National Geographic