Sarina Bratton, Managing Director of Sydney-based Orion Expedition Cruises, officially takes delivery of Orion, a 5 star, 106 guest luxury expedition cruise ship.

Orion is destined for Australian waters, with a series of year-round itineraries that include both remote and iconic destinations like the Kimberley, Top End, East Timor, Torres Strait, the Great Barrier Reef and Antarctica.

“With cruising generally, and expedition cruising in particular, showing such dynamic worldwide growth, it is timely that we should be bringing Orion to Australia. And, with such an extensive and diverse coastline, Australia is the perfect continent for expedition cruising”.

“Apart from the vastness, much of Australia's coast is difficult to reach by land, and so travel by sea is the perfect answer - especially in a ship purpose built for expedition cruising” said Mrs Bratton.

The German built 18 month old Orion, will provide Australian and international guests alike true 5-star standards of comfort and service plus all the amenities you would expect of a much larger vessel. However, her size permits access to remote areas that large cruise ships simply cannot reach.

Orion is scheduled to arrive in Sydney Harbour at sunrise on the morning of Saturday 2nd April, after her inaugural voyage from Papeete.

After a week of activities in Sydney, Orion will head north for Cairns and the commencement of its Great Barrier Reef cruises, before voyaging around Cape York to be based in Darwin during the winter period.

Website: http://www.orioncruises.com.au/