Kimberley: Orion or Siversea?

We are wanting to cruise the Kimberley next year and just cannot decide on Orion (now taken over by Lindblatt) or the new Silversea Discoverer, which is apparently getting a complete overhaul and will start service in March 2014.

There are no reviews of the Discoverer, which used to be the Clipper Odyssey, from what I can glean. We thought a balcony would be great for the Kimberley, but reviews of the Clipper say the balcony is tiny, so is it really worth an extra $4K PER PERSON!?

The Orion is about the same price, but not as luxurious as Silversea, I'm guessing. Also no pool, and alcohol is not included.

Any thoughts please?

Input from those who have been to the area would be appreciated.

We are not mad explorers, like our creature comforts, but want to see this part of our country.

I'm thinking we will be out all day anyway, and can always sit on the deck, do we need a balcony? But it sure is nice to open a window on a cruise, especially in that part of the world.

So confused!

Thanks for your input

Melanie

Can't really give you any real advice. The balcony question - to balcony or not to balcony, that is the question - is one we think about often. Even in the Arctic on Silversea Prince Albert (now renamed) we used the balcony, though it was only a French one. We had fresh air and could lean out and watch the ice breaking. We found Silversea to be excellent for expedition cruising, not to say the Orion would be any different. We have looked at Orion a few times but the big deposit required and extra charges have sort of put us off. Not sure what the comparative costs are for the itinerary you are considering.

The Kimberley is an adventure.

We did it on the Kimberley Quest.

Wonderful.

Still the best experience we have ever had (including Silver Seas etc.)

My parents did the True North, only about 26 passengers, casual luxury, on board helicopter to whisk you up to the top of the falls and fly over Montgomery Reef, they are still raving about it years later. Best trip they ever did. It's a local firm, Aussie captain and mostly Aussie crew. If I was going it would be on that!

We are wanting to cruise the Kimberley next year and just cannot decide on Orion (now taken over by Lindblatt) or the new Silversea Discoverer, which is apparently getting a complete overhaul and will start service in March 2014.

There are no reviews of the Discoverer, which used to be the Clipper Odyssey, from what I can glean. We thought a balcony would be great for the Kimberley, but reviews of the Clipper say the balcony is tiny, so is it really worth an extra $4K PER PERSON!?

The Orion is about the same price, but not as luxurious as Silversea, I'm guessing. Also no pool, and alcohol is not included.

Any thoughts please?

Input from those who have been to the area would be appreciated.

We are not mad explorers, like our creature comforts, but want to see this part of our country.

I'm thinking we will be out all day anyway, and can always sit on the deck, do we need a balcony? But it sure is nice to open a window on a cruise, especially in that part of the world.

So confused!

Thanks for your input

Melanie

Hi Melanie

We did the Orion expedition cruise from Darwin to Broome in August 2013. It was a wonderful experience and an amazing way to see the Kimberleys.

We had one of the least expensive cabins on the ship, no balcony, but with two portholes. It was a good sized cabin with a nice bathroom, and had a bar fridge stocked with bottles of complimentary water. I saw inside one of the more expensive cabins with a balcony and apart from the balcony and being on a higher deck, there was very little difference in the amenities or the size of the cabin.

Because the ship anchors in remote locations, there is really nothing to see from your balcony that you wouldn't be able to see from the public areas of the ship. I guess it is a personal choice to have a balcony or not but I personally did not feel that the extra $s was worth it. As the ship only accommodates 100 passengers, any time on board is spent either socialising in the lounge or on the open back deck. We really only went to our cabin to sleep and shower. Most of the day we were off doing active things and seeing all the amazing things that the area has to offer.

The expedition cruise itself was amazing and we really enjoyed it. The food was first class and the crew were very attentive and even knew our names by the second day. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would certainly recommend this expedition cruise to others.

Please feel free to ask if you need more detailed information.

Nellie

Hi Melanie

 

We did the Orion expedition cruise from Darwin to Broome in August 2013. It was a wonderful experience and an amazing way to see the Kimberleys.

 

We had one of the least expensive cabins on the ship, no balcony, but with two portholes. It was a good sized cabin with a nice bathroom, and had a bar fridge stocked with bottles of complimentary water. I saw inside one of the more expensive cabins with a balcony and apart from the balcony and being on a higher deck, there was very little difference in the amenities or the size of the cabin.

 

Because the ship anchors in remote locations, there is really nothing to see from your balcony that you wouldn't be able to see from the public areas of the ship. I guess it is a personal choice to have a balcony or not but I personally did not feel that the extra $s was worth it. As the ship only accommodates 100 passengers, any time on board is spent either socialising in the lounge or on the open back deck. We really only went to our cabin to sleep and shower. Most of the day we were off doing active things and seeing all the amazing things that the area has to offer.

 

The expedition cruise itself was amazing and we really enjoyed it. The food was first class and the crew were very attentive and even knew our names by the second day. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would certainly recommend this expedition cruise to others.

 

Please feel free to ask if you need more detailed information.

 

Nellie

Thanks Nellie - long time for me to reply! We decided on new Silversea Discoverer and leave on May 2, Darwin to Broome. I'm very excited. We also chose a cabin with no balcony, but large picture windows. The difference in price was about $3000 PER PERSON more for a balcony and the cabins were the same size! Usually we like a balcony but the extra $ seems exorbitant. So I'm happy to hear your report that there wasn't really any need for a balcony (except for drying clothes!). I'll report back after the cruise!

Hi MelMike, I'm sure it will be a fantastic cruise....so jealous! Looking forward to hearing what your thoughts are on the ship and itinerary.

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Thanks Nellie - long time for me to reply! We decided on new Silversea Discoverer and leave on May 2, Darwin to Broome. I'm very excited. We also chose a cabin with no balcony, but large picture windows. The difference in price was about $3000 PER PERSON more for a balcony and the cabins were the same size! Usually we like a balcony but the extra $ seems exorbitant. So I'm happy to hear your report that there wasn't really any need for a balcony (except for drying clothes!). I'll report back after the cruise!

I look forward to hearing your report when you return. Have a great time.

Nellie

That trip sounds amazing and to see the Kimberley's like that is on my husbands wish list.

So please give us a report on here when you return.

If you are wanting the most amazing holiday and see the Kimberley up close and personal plus have the most adventure packed cruise - look no further than True North.

We have just returned and it was the best holiday we have ever had. Some may look at the price but it is worth every cent.

It is 5 star all the way.

If you are wanting the most amazing holiday and see the Kimberley up close and personal plus have the most adventure packed cruise - look no further than True North.

We have just returned and it was the best holiday we have ever had. Some may look at the price but it is worth every cent.

It is 5 star all the way.

Sounds great but is way out of my price range.:eek: