National Geographic Orion

SMALL LUXURY EXPEDITION SHIP (102 GUESTS)

Introduction to National Geographic Orion

National Geographic Orion is a modern, elegant ship with an intimate ambiance. The window-lined main lounge and library offer spectacular views while the expedition community are gathered each evening for cocktails and a recap of the day’s activities. High atop the vessel, the cosy observation lounge is ideal for taking in the 270º views, or you might choose to brave the outdoor bar (with ambient heaters) on the same deck. The 53 cabins accommodate 102 guests and all are exterior, with most featuring picture windows that connect you with the Antarctic landscape.

 

Built in Germany in 2003 and engineered for maximum safety and comfort, Orion is ice-strengthened and has the latest technology, including large retractable stabilisers, sonar and radar. Its fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures quick disembarkation and offers the ideal transport for up-close exploration.

 

In 2019, the fleet of National Geographic ships have become 100% Carbon-Neutral. Not only will you be travelling with an extremely knowledgeable expedition team, you will also be travelling on board an environmentally sustainable and responsible ship.

National Geographic Orion

FLYING TO ANTARCTICA

Flying to Antarctica

Flying over the Drake Passage allows you to avoid rough seas and reach Antarctic grounds quickly and comfortably.

A jet outfitted with special kits for Antarctic operation flies you over the weather. It takes you from South America (Punta Arenas in Chile) to your ship awaiting you in Antarctica in just two hours as you enjoy some in-flight hospitality.

Antarctic flights operate based on weather conditions, so you should be aware that changes in your itinerary are possible. If your flight to Antarctica is delayed, an engaging program of activities in Chilean Patagonia is offered as you enjoy meals and comfortable accommodation on land.

Boarding King George Island

What Planes Fly to Antarctica

DAP Airlines has over 25 years of experience flying in Antarctica and they operate all direct flights to Antarctica.

The aircrafts were manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, which later became part of BAE Systems. They are high-wing aircraft with short runway requirements, which means they are particularly suited for Antarctica (King George Island).

The planes are the BAE 146-200, the AVRO RJ 85, and the AVRO RJ 100.  Flights depart from Punta Arenas, Chile and fly over the Drake Passage to land on King George Island (the largest of the South Shetland Islands). Upon arrival, a bus will transport your from the plane to awaiting zodiacs that will take you to the ship. There is no terminal building so you should dress accordingly (with warm clothes for when you get off the plane).

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION DATES AND PRICES

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION 2026-27 DATES AND PRICES

Prices in AUD$ – per person twin share (triple share in triple cabins)

Click on Cruise itinerary name below to view detailed description of your Antarctic Cruise

Cabin prices are structured to reward guests who book early with the best possible price. As a result cabin prices change depending on the availability (dynamic pricing) of each cabin class. Please contact us for a confirmed price. All cabin types are subject to availability.

Cruise ItineraryStart DateEnd DateDaysStarts / EndsCAT 1CAT 2CAT 3CAT 4CAT 5CAT 6CAT 1S (Solo)CAT 3S (Solo)
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 19 Nov 202627 Nov 20269Puerto Natales$20,433$22,123$22,595$23,783$28,047$31,519$27,279$30,530
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 25 Nov 20263 Dec 20269Puerto Natales$20,766$22,490$22,972$24,186$28,536$32,082$27,755$31,072
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 1 Dec 202610 Dec 202610Puerto Natales$23,512$25,526$26,087$27,503$32,579$36,715$31,665$35,536
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 20 Dec 202629 Dec 202610Puerto Natales$24,322$26,206$26,803$28,300$33,689$38,077$32,715$36,829
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 27 Dec 20264 Jan 20279Puerto NatalesSold Out$23,075$23,585$24,870$29,487$33,250$28,652Sold Out
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 2 Jan 202710 Jan 20279Puerto Natales$24,649$26,850$27,440$28,949$34,286$28,640$33,302Sold Out
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 8 Jan 202716 Jan 20279Puerto Natales$25,279$27,547$28,156$29,710$35,213$39,703Sold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 19 Jan 202727 Jan 20279Puerto Natales$25,279$27,547$28,156$29,710$35,213$39,703$34,199$38,403
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 25 Jan 20272 Feb 20279Puerto Natales$25,279$27,547$28,156$29,710$35,213$39,703$34,199$38,403
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 31 Jan 20278 Feb 20279Puerto Natales$23,140$24,462$25,003$26,386$31,276$35,266$29,362$31,839
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake 6 Feb 202714 Feb 20279Puerto Natales$23,140$24,462$25,003$26,386$31,276$35,266$29,362$31,839

Note: Some of these voyages require the additional purchase of a charter flight. Please contact us for more details and pricing.

Voyage price includes bar tab & staff gratuities onboard the National Geographic Orion

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION 2026-27 CRUISES

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION 2027-28 DATES AND PRICES

Prices in AUD$ – per person twin share (triple share in triple cabins)

Click on Cruise itinerary name below to view detailed description of your Antarctic Cruise

Cabin prices are structured to reward guests who book early with the best possible price. As a result cabin prices change depending on the availability (dynamic pricing) of each cabin class. Please contact us for a confirmed price. All cabin types are subject to availability.

Prices correct as at 5 March 2026.

Cruise ItineraryStart DateEnd DateDaysStarts / EndsCAT 1CAT 2CAT 3CAT 4CAT 5CAT 6CAT 1S (Solo)CAT 3S (Solo)
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake22 Nov 202730 Nov 20279Puerto NatalesSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake28 Nov 20276 Dec 20279Puerto Natales$20,609$22,161$22,603$23,701$27,630$30,818$26,913Sold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake4 Dec 202712 Dec 20279Puerto Natales$20,901$22,485$22,934$24,057$28,063$31,315Sold Out$30,388
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake10 Dec 202718 Dec 20279Puerto NatalesSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake21 Dec 202729 Dec 20279Puerto Natales$31,400$34,097$34,858$36,758Sold Out$49,103$42,333Sold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake27 Dec 20274 Jan 20289Puerto Natales$25,015$27,033$27,594$29,015$34,113$38,257$33,194$37,075
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake2 Jan 202810 Jan 20289Puerto Natales$29,776$32,299$33,000$34,776$41,149$46,328$40,000$44,851
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake8 Jan 202816 Jan 20289Puerto NatalesSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake19 Jan 202827 Jan 20289Puerto NatalesSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake25 Jan 20282 Feb 20289Puerto Natales$29,358$31,836$32,522$34,269$40,522$45,627$39,403$44,164
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake31 Jan 20288 Feb 20289Puerto Natales$26,940$29,164$29,791$31,358$36,970$41,537$35,955$40,239
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake6 Feb 202814 Feb 20289Puerto NatalesSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake17 Feb 202825 Feb 20289Puerto NatalesSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold OutSold Out
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake23 Feb 20282 Mar 20289Puerto Natales$24,269$26,209$26,761$28,134$33,045$37,030$32,149$35,896
Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake29 Feb 20288 Mar 20289Puerto Natales$24,269$26,209$26,761$28,134$33,045$37,030$32,149$35,896

Note: Some of these voyages require the additional purchase of a charter flight. Please contact us for more details and pricing.

Voyage price includes bar tab & staff gratuities onboard the National Geographic Orion

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION 2027-28 CRUISES

National Geographic Orion Cabins

Cat 6 Cabin National Geographic Orion

Cat 6 Owner’s Suite with French Balcony  are room numbers #502, 507, 509*, 510 and are located on the Bridge Deck. These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, with the exception of #509 which has double windows. Each provides a separate living area with a sofa and two arm chairs, except for #502, which uniquely offers a ‘soaking tub with a view’ in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity. All cabins have reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.

Cat 5 Suite with French Balcony rooms #501, 503-506, 508 are located on the Bridge Deck. These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. Beds are configurable. A sitting area with arm chairs and a sofa, a writing/laptop desk, well-placed reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the decor. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.

Cat 4 Deluxe Suite with Window room #511, 515 are located on the Bridge Deck. These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a chair and armchair and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Beds are configurable. Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.

Cat 3S Suite with Window room #512 is located on the Bridge Deck. This solo suite features two beds and two large windows, plus two armchairs and small table, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. The marble bathroom is generously sized and includes a spacious shower stall with a glass door.

Cat 3 Suite with Window room #401-412, 414-419 are located on the Upper Deck. These suites feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa–except slightly smaller #401 & #402–an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, flat screen TV, & climate controls. Beds are configurable. Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. The main lounge is the social heart of the ship, on this deck, along with the outdoor café where breakfast & lunch are served.

Cat 2 room #302-312, 314, 315, 317 are located on the Main Deck. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized, and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Dinner is served in the dining room, located on this deck.

Cat 1 room #316, 318-321 are located on the Main Deck. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Dinner is served in the dining room, located on this deck.

National Geographic Explorer Solo

Cat 1S room #301, 322, 323 are located on the Main Deck. These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, except for #301 which has a double bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a roomy shower stall with a glass door. Dinner is served in the dining room, located on this deck.

Deck Plan

deck-plan

Ship Details

national Geographic Orion lounge
  • Lounge and bar
  • Library well stocked with polar books & DVDs
  • Large dining room
  • Outdoor cafe
  • Observation lounge
  • Theatre-style presentation room
  • Gift shop
  • Fitness room and massage room
  • Hot tub and sauna

For passengers utilising pre-expedition package with charter flights to/from Ushuaia (Additional cost AU$1550):
Group transfer from airport to hotel in Santiago (only for flight arrival at set time)
1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast and city tour in Santiago
Group transfer from hotel to airport for charter flight to Ushuaia
Transfers from airport to pier for catamaran cruise including lunch
Group transfer from Ushuaia pier to airport
Charter flight from Ushuaia to Santiago

All passengers:
Cabin accommodation aboard cruise as selected
All meals aboard ship throughout your voyage
Non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate as well as light snacks
Services of Expedition leader, naturalist staff and expert guides
Presentations on history, wildlife, geography, etc.
Zodiac cruises and shore excursions in Antarctica with expedition team
Use of kayaks
A fully-lined windproof, water-resistant parka to keep (note: you are required to provide your own knee-high rubber boots with high-traction soles)
Hairdryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Ushuaia group departure transfer to airport

National Geographic Orion

Staff and Crew: 75

Guests: 102

Lifeboats: 4 Life/tender/rescue boats

Dimensions: Length: 102.7m, Draft: 3.82m, Beam: 14.25m

Stabilisers: Blohm & Voss, retractable fin stabilisers

Speed: 12.5 knots maximum

Built: 2003, Germany

Ice Class: Germanischer Lloyd E3

Operator: National Geographic

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.