Graceful by design and engineered for adventure, the intimate National Geographic Orion is purpose-built to explore places few others can reach—whether you wish to discover polar, temperate or tropical regions. Carrying just 102 guests in 53 cabins, she travels from Antarctica and Patagonia to the Mediterranean and beyond, offering remarkable access to wildlife and landscapes along the way. Her fleet of quick-deploy Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards—along with advanced navigational capabilities—supports deep exploration in regions well off traditional cruise routes.
A favorite among expedition teams and guests alike, National Geographic Orion blends exceptional exploratory capabilities with elegant design. Inviting public spaces, warm hospitality and thoughtful details create a comfortable base between landings, whether you’re trading stories with fellow travelers in the lounge, or taking in incomparable vistas from the bow. From al fresco dining and expansive vantage points to a heated plunge pool and well-appointed cabins, the ship’s amenities will make you feel at home during your time at sea. She creates an expedition experience that feels intimate, inspired and unmistakably genuine.
Take a closer look below to see why this ship is uniquely well suited for traveling to some of the most fascinating places reachable by sea—while offering premier comfort, year-round versatility and an exceptional onboard atmosphere throughout your journey.
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All photos (unless otherwise noted): Douglas Scaletta
The lounge serves as the heart of your onboard experience. It’s where you’ll gather for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before dinner and join your expedition leader and naturalists for daily Recaps and insightful talks.
The expansive observation lounge is bright and open, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes as you travel through places like Antarctica, the Atlantic Isles, North Africa and beyond. Browse the well-stocked library and read about regional wildlife, history or culture as you take in spectacular scenery.
National Geographic Orion offers two places to dine on the main deck: the restaurant (top) for buffet breakfasts and plated lunches and dinners, and the outdoor café (bottom) for al fresco dining while luxuriating in sunny skies and delightful sea breezes in the Mediterranean and beyond. Both options provide a casual setting with open seating throughout.
Photo: David Vargas
Meals incorporate regional ingredients and destination-inspired flavors, while also offering a variety of continental selections. Depending on where you travel, you may be served fresh-caught fish paired with a local wine, or a dessert prepared with fruit harvested in the surrounding area.
Gather with guests at the lounge bar and order craft beers from your travel region, cocktails featuring local spirits or coffee brewed with beans grown close to your route.
With our open Bridge policy, you’re welcome to visit at nearly any time to talk with the captain and officers about navigation or stand with your naturalists as they scan for whales, seabirds and other wildlife from this high vantage.
Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Standing on the bow gives you unmatched views of the destination ahead, whether you’re watching the hull cut through the ice of Antarctica’s Lemaire Channel or feeling the warm breeze along the Dalmatian Coast.
Take in panoramic vistas from the heated plunge pool or comfortable lounge furniture on the sun deck.
The Owner’s Suites are the most expansive accommodations on board, with most cabins featuring a French balcony, a comfortable living area with seating, in-room amenities and a marble bathroom with a generous shower. Cabin #502 stands apart (bottom left and right), offering a soaking tub with a view in addition to its shower and expansive vanity. Guests staying in these suites also receive complimentary laundry, special turndown service and priority access to spa appointments.
Category 5, 4 and S3 suites offer a range of styles for different types of travelers. Category 5 (top left) includes a French balcony with excellent views, Category 4 (bottom left) features a seating area with a sofa facing a large window and S3 (right) is ideal for solo travelers. Each suite also receives the same onboard amenities as Category 6 staterooms.
Category 3 (top left), 2 and 1 (top right and bottom left) cabins provide a comfortable respite between excursions with different configurations for families, couples and more. The generously sized bathrooms feature marble finishings and are stocked with all-natural soaps and hair products for freshening up before dinner and other gatherings.
After a full day of exploration, the ship’s wellness program offers a thoughtful way to return to the rhythm of the journey. Enjoy a massage guided by your onboard wellness specialists, unwind in the sauna or work out in the fitness center—each designed to leave you refreshed and ready for the adventures ahead.
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
You’ll embark on excursions at the Marina Deck, designed for efficiently deploying Zodiacs to quickly bring you ashore.
Photo: Gemina Garland-Lewis
Equipped with double kayaks, quick-deploying Zodiacs and remotely operated vehicles for undersea viewing, National Geographic Orion offers the tools needed for close-range exploration of extraordinary wildlife and dramatic landscapes across some of the planet’s wildest and most remote environments.
Photo: Andrew Peacock
National Geographic Orion was thoughtfully designed to be a nimble vessel with a shallow draft, giving travelers unparalleled access to places like the iconic Corinth Canal, a spectacularly scenic cut that is inaccessible to larger ships.
