National Geographic Orion
Lindblad Expeditions ship guide
Page updated
National Geographic Orion leaving Tallinn, August 2016 · Photo: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About National Geographic Orion
National Geographic Orion is a Lindblad Expeditions cruise ship, in service since 2003. She measures 4,050 gross tons and carries 102 guests with a crew of 76. She sails Antarctica, Mediterranean, South America, South Pacific itineraries. We rate her 3.3 out of 5.
National Geographic Orion is a 102-guest, ice-strengthened expedition ship from the Cassens Werft yard at Emden in Germany, in service since November 2003. She first sailed for Travel Dynamics International and from 2005 for Australia's Orion Expedition Cruises, which Lindblad bought in 2013, taking her current name in March 2014. About 103 metres long, with 53 cabins and a range of some 8,000 nautical miles, she is suited to long voyages between remote coasts and islands. Her current deployments include Antarctica, Patagonia and the Chilean fjords, Easter Island to Tahiti, and summers in the Mediterranean, Greece, Turkey and the Canary Islands.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 102
- Crew 76 · 1:1.3
- Entered service
- 2003
- Joined Lindblad Expeditions January 2014
- Length
- 103 m
- Shorter than 87% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 6
National Geographic Orion is smaller than 79% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries fewer guests than 89%. At 39.7 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 51% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Dining
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Entertainment
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Service
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Pools & decks
- 2/5, fleet average 2.1
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Lindblad Expeditions fleet average across 12 rated ships in service.
More from Lindblad Expeditions
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
3.5 ★National Geographic Islander II1991 · 3,370 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Islander II is a 48-guest, all-suite expedition ship based year-round in the Galápagos. Flender Werft in Lübeck floated her out as Lady Diana in 1989 and…
3.5 ★National Geographic Gemini2001 · 2,937 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Gemini is a 48-guest expedition ship that works the Galápagos all year. Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, built her in 2001 as Sun Bay, and she became…
3.2 ★National Geographic Quest2017 · 2,920 GT · 100 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Quest was the first ship Lindblad ordered new, built with her sister National Geographic Venture by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders at Freeland on Whidbey…Official deck plans
Photos

National Geographic Orion leaving Tallinn, August 2016Photo: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates National Geographic Orion?
National Geographic Orion is operated by Lindblad Expeditions.
How big is National Geographic Orion?
National Geographic Orion measures 4,050 gross tons and 103 metres in length, with 6 decks.
How does National Geographic Orion compare in size with other cruise ships?
National Geographic Orion is smaller than 79% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries fewer guests than 89%. At 39.7 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 51% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does National Geographic Orion feel?
National Geographic Orion has a passenger space ratio of 39.7: 4,050 gross tons for 102 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so National Geographic Orion feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does National Geographic Orion carry?
National Geographic Orion carries 102 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 76 (about 1.3 guests per crew member).
When did National Geographic Orion enter service?
National Geographic Orion entered service in 2003.
Where does National Geographic Orion sail?
National Geographic Orion sails Antarctica, Mediterranean, South America and South Pacific itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for National Geographic Orion?
Lindblad Expeditions publishes the deck plans for National Geographic Orion; this page links to Deck plans and Deck plans (PDF).
How is National Geographic Orion rated?
Cruise Frog rates National Geographic Orion 3.3 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (5/5) and lowest on pools & decks (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about National Geographic Orion
- Traveling solo with Lindblad Expeditions: solo cabins, roommate matching and open seating
Lindblad has solo cabins on every ship, a roommate-matching option, and open-seating dining where nobody eats alone unless they want to. How to book it.
Cruise lines