Lindblad's Orion Ventures Further In 2014

Lindblad Expeditions has unveiled its first year of sailings for its new National Geographic Orion, recently acquired from Orion Expeditions, with more adventures in the South Pacific than ever before.

 

The all-new luxury Voyages of Discovery include destinations in Micronesia and the Islands of Moluccas - a heady mix of island cultures, World War II naval and military sites and brilliant snorkelling and diving. All new South Pacific voyages include the Loyalty Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Millennium Atoll, Tahiti, Pitcairn and Easter Island, while voyages to Antarctica will, for the first time, focus on the Antarctic Peninsula and the wildlife sanctuaries of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Popular favourite, Borneo, will again include visits to Camp Leakey for exclusive orangutan and wildlife experiences, and the ship's hallmark voyages to Australia’s Kimberley coastline remain - one with a variation that includes Rowley Shoals. Additionally, there are expeditions that include Komodo, Flores, Asmat, the Spice Islands, Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef.

The itineraries are a carefully constructed blend of undersea (for snorkellers and divers) and terrestrial natural history highlights, along with diverse and fascinating culture, history and anthropology.

The first expedition sails from Auckland to Cairns, through Melanesia (Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea) with time on the Great Barrier Reef. The second voyage includes the Great Barrier Reef before heading up through Melanesia (Papua New Guinea) to Micronesia, visiting Chuuk Lagoon, Yap and many other spectacular islands en-route to Palau. The last week of this voyage presents some of the most spectacular undersea opportunities available on the planet, where the newly installed onboard scuba facilities will come into their own. But there are also plenty of options for dry-landers, too. 

The third voyage runs from Palau down through Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands of Indonesia, ending in Darwin. Like the previous two, the undersea is a highlight but the culture and diversity of options on land is also extraordinary. Put simply: guests will see many things on any one of these voyages you cannot find elsewhere on earth; they embody the word ‘exotic’. Following the Kimberley season, between May and August 2014, National Geographic Orion will undertake two expeditions to Borneo, voyaging between Bali and Singapore, both including visits to the orangutan sanctuary Camp Leakey.

It will then take an eastward journey with four voyages starting from Bali travelling all the way across to Easter Island - from the Spice Islands and Great Barrier Reef to New Caledonia, Fiji; then up to Samoa and across to Kiribati and French Polynesia with the fourth itinerary departing Tahiti to visit Ducie, Henderson, Pitcairn and other very hard-to-reach islands, ending in Easter Island. Orion then positions to Ushuaia for expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. 

Combination Savings

Following high demand for back-to-back expeditions, there are again a number of voyages created especially to appeal to those seeking longer expeditions, plus, from the 2014 calendar, the company is doubling the back-to-back savings to 10%.

Solo Travellers

Recognising the growing solo traveller market, there will be dedicated staterooms for solo travellers on each voyage with solo pricing.

Pricing examples for 2014

(All pricing per person, twin share): 
10-night Kimberley Expedition: Cat 1/B Stateroom £5,180, through to Owners Suite/Category 6, £10,840.
10-night Camp Leakey: Cat 1/B Stateroom £5,473, through to Owners Suite/Category 6, £11,460.
16-night Mysteries of Polynesia: Cat 1/B Stateroom £10,640, through to Owners Suite/Category 6, £21,990.
18-night South Pacific Adventure: Cat 1/B Stateroom £11,970, through to Owners Suite/Category 6, £24,740.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure cruise specialists.

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