Clelia II to be renamed Orion II

[MMDown Under]

Sydney, Australia (December 1, 2009) – Orion Expedition Cruises, Australia’s only international-standard, five-star expedition cruise line, increases the size of its fleet with the addition of the Orion II, a second specialist expedition ship which will join the line’s existing 106-passenger Orion. The ship, configured to the brand’s exacting requirements, is scheduled to commence expedition voyages under the Orion Expedition Cruises banner in May 2011.

Orion Expedition Cruises announced on Thursday, November 26, the forthcoming long-term charter of Clelia II, a 100-passenger, all-suite luxury expedition cruise ship, to be renamed Orion II. Making the announcement onboard Orion in Sydney Harbour, Orion’s Managing Director, Ms. Sarina Bratton, was enthusiastic about the expansion of the cruise business she started in 2004, referencing a strong existing luxury cruise 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 travelers 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 finalized.

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.

 

(From Other Cruise Lines Thread)

[beth555]

We are booked on the Clelia II for an Antarctica trip Dec 2010 under Travel Dynamics name. So what does that mean for us? Do you think they will be doing a lot of cutting back on the trip?

[MMDown Under]

We are booked on the Clelia II for an Antarctica trip Dec 2010 under Travel Dynamics name. So what does that mean for us? Do you think they will be doing a lot of cutting back on the trip?

 

I wouldn't think so. Orion isn't taking over the ship until May, 2011.