NAT-GEO ORION

NAT-GEO ORION (IMO: 9273076) is a Passenger vessel sailing under the Bahamas flag. It has an overall length of 338 feets and a beam of 46 feets.

NAT-GEO ORION

Vessel Identification

Specifications

Propulsion

Shipyard

Owner / Operator

Navigation / Communications Equipment

Operating Region

• Primary Regions: Antarctica, Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland), South Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia), Asia (Japan, Indonesia, Philippines)
• Seasonal Deployment: Southern Ocean / Antarctic Peninsula (austral summer); Arctic and Pacific regions (boreal summer/shoulder seasons)
• Port Ranges: Ushuaia (Argentina), Christchurch (New Zealand), Darwin/Cairns (Australia), Reykjavik (Iceland)

Vessel Description

The National Geographic Orion is an ice-strengthened expedition cruise vessel operated by Lindblad Expeditions in partnership with the National Geographic Society. Originally built in 2003 at Cassens-Werft in Emden, Germany, the ship was purpose-designed for remote and polar expedition cruising.

The vessel accommodates up to 102 passengers in 53 outside-facing cabins and suites, and carries a professional expedition team including naturalists, scientists, and undersea specialists. The ship is equipped with a suite of expedition tools including a fleet of Zodiac inflatable landing craft, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), kayaks, a hydrophone, and an underwater video microscope — enabling in-depth exploration of remote ecosystems.

Her 1A ice-class hull allows operations in light ice conditions, making her suitable for both Antarctic and Arctic itineraries. The partnership with National Geographic adds a focus on photography, storytelling, and science-based education throughout all voyages.

The National Geographic Orion is regarded as one of the more technically capable small expedition vessels in her class, combining comfort, scientific equipment, and polar capability in a compact platform.

• Note: Some technical specifications may vary from published sources due to refits or reclassification events. Users should verify critical operational data against current Lloyd's Register or official flag state records.*