| Orion announces 2010 Kimberley Expedition itinerary changes |
Now including Bungle Bungle complimentary flight-seeing and an overnight in Broome at no additional cost
Orion Expedition Cruises is enhancing its Kimberley itineraries for the 2010
season, offering the most inclusive Kimberley experience together with service standards unequalled in the Southern Hemisphere.
Due to a change in interpretation of Australian Government rules governing
cruise ships in the Kimberley region, Orion is slightly altering its Kimberley itineraries. This provides the opportunity to enhance the itineraries with the following additions - at no extra cost to guests:
• Visit to the port of Wyndham - opportunity to visit Kununurra, heart of the East Kimberley
• Inclusion of complimentary flight-seeing over the famous Bungle Bungle ranges
• Inclusion of one night’s complimentary accommodation in one of Broome’s finest hotels including breakfast and transfers from hotel to ship or vice versa depending on direction of itinerary
• Now an 11 night holiday for the original cost of 10 nights
First brought to the world’s attention only 25 years ago, the Bungle Bungle ranges are part of Purnululu National Park, a natural wonder seen firsthand by only a privileged few. The ranges are best experienced by air and are a short flight from Wyndham or Kununurra. Orion Expedition Cruises will be the only operator in the region to offer this amazing experience as part of its Kimberley voyages at no additional cost.
Orion will also be providing overnight accommodation in one of Broome’s top hotels before or after the 10 night voyage, thus providing guests with an 11 night holiday for the cost of the usual 10 night expedition.
Operationally, Orion will leave Australian waters to comply with international voyage requirements – this will provide guests onboard with a relaxing and enjoyable day at sea to enjoy the premium 5 star comforts and facilities onboard Orion.
Orion’s Kimberley season runs from May to September, offering guests a range of twelve 10 night cruise itineraries between the tropical city of Darwin and historic pearling town of Broome (and vice versa).
Please note this is an international voyage and will be ticketed as two separate voyages.
|
back to top |
| Orion Expedition Cruises expands with the addition of a second specialist expedition cruise ship |
SYDNEY (26 November 2009): 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 today released details regarding the forthcoming long term charter of Clelia II, a 100 passenger all-suite luxury expedition cruise ship, to be renamed Orion II. The ship, configured to Orion’s exacting requirements, is scheduled to commence expedition voyages under the Orion Expedition Cruises banner in May 2011.
Making the announcement today from onboard Orion in Sydney Harbour, Sarina Bratton, Orion’s Managing Director, was upbeat about the expansion of the business she started in 2004, citing a strong existing market – despite tough current worldwide economic conditions – and growing interest from international markets in expedition cruising in this part of the globe.
A loyal Orion past-passenger base, resurgent growth by independent travellers and significant opportunities afforded through charter and incentives markets have provided the platform for the expansion.
Based on thorough research, and following the success of Orion’s recent voyages, Orion II will be based in South East Asia offering a wide 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 subject to a €13 million (A$21 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.
Commenting on the additional range of destinations and itineraries, Sarina said that Orion Expedition Cruises will be able to provide exclusive expeditions from Antarctica to Asia, and the Kimberley to Melanesia and New Zealand, with the two ships offering a balance of onboard service and luxury combined with unique personal experiences in environmentally and culturally sensitive parts of the region. Together, Orion and Orion II will be two of the most modern and capable expedition cruise ships cruising in Australasia.
The long term charter of a second purpose built ship able to access remote
regions in comfort is a further step to fulfilling the company’s original vision to have Orion Expedition Cruises regarded as the operator of choice in the Asia Pacific.
|
back to top |
| Orion Voted Best Cruise/Sailing Experience |
Judged by an international panel of Premier Aussie Specialist travel
agents, Orion Expedition Cruises’ Kimberley voyages has been voted Best Cruise/Sailing Experience in Travelling in Australia magazine’s 20 Best Experiences Awards.
“We’re seeing a strong shift towards tourism product that demonstrates a genuine commitment towards sustainability,” explains Chantal Dunbar, Editor of Travelling in Australia magazine. “This is not solely on an environmental level, but also a cultural one too. This is where Australia’s future lies, as our nature-based and Indigenous experiences cannot be replicated by other countries competing for the tourism dollar.”
Of Australia’s 20 ultimate tourism experiences, 18 were either eco or Indigenous. Today’s highly educated traveller has a social and environmental conscious and sees travel as a learning opportunity, seeking a sense of community engagement and authenticity.
As a country with the oldest living culture in the world and one of the highest levels of biodiversity, savvy travellers have realised that this is what the Australian Experience is really about. It’s something impossible to replicate elsewhere and something that’s becoming increasingly hard to find.
|
back to top |
|
