SYDNEY – Orion Expedition Cruises is to increase the size of its fleet with the addition of a second specialist expedition cruise ship to join the existing 106 passenger Orion.
Orion Expedition Cruises has agreed a long-term charter of Clelia II, a 100-passenger all-suite luxury expedition cruise ship, to be renamed Orion II.
The ship is scheduled to start expedition voyages under the Orion Expedition Cruises banner in May 2011.
Orion II will be based in South East Asia offering a range of expeditions that will include Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Indonesian archipelago, Japan and Borneo.
Details of destinations and itineraries will be released in 2010 once voyage details and expedition team scouting are finalised.
Recently given a €13 million refurbishment undertaken by the present operators, with emphasis on technical enhancements and upgraded environmental systems, the ship will also undergo additional cosmetic enhancements to bring her fully into the Orion style.
Sarina Bratton, Orion’s managing director, said Orion Expedition Cruises will be able to provide exclusive expeditions from Antarctica to Asia, and the Kimberley to Melanesia and New Zealand.
