Signature highlights
Purpose-built expedition vessel with high ice-class capability, strong maneuverability for inshore waters, Zodiacs, kayaks, wildlife spotters, open Bridge access and expedition staff.
National Geographic Orion
National Geographic Orion is a 102-guest Lindblad Expeditions expedition ship, in service since 2003. This page lists 38 upcoming departures across 18 itineraries, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
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National Geographic Orion at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 36%
A small expedition-size ship at 3,984 gross tons — #359 of 565 ships we track. 39 tons of ship per guest.
Live Position ● 7 hours ago
Heading to: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
2.0 knots
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About National Geographic Orion
National Geographic Orion is a small, high-ice-class expedition ship designed for close-up exploration rather than resort-style cruising. The 102-guest vessel carries travelers through polar and temperate destinations in an intimate setting, with open-bridge access, Zodiacs, kayaks, outdoor spaces and expedition specialists. Its 53 cabins, observation areas, photo facilities and flexible shore operations suit passengers who value wildlife, natural history and active discovery over large-ship entertainment.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Builder / shipyard
- Cassens Werft, Emden, Germany
- Registry / flag
- Bahamas (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- C6TE3
- IMO number
- 9273076
- MMSI
- 311603000
- Previous names
- Orion; launched as Sun Explorer
Onboard Experience
Dining
Dining is offered in the main dining room or, weather permitting, at an outdoor café. Seating is single-session and unassigned, with menus emphasizing sustainable and locally sourced choices where possible.
Entertainment
The ship provides an observation lounge and library, presentation facilities, photography resources, panoramic outdoor areas and informal access to the Bridge and expedition team rather than large-scale theatrical entertainment.
Staterooms & suites
The ship has 53 cabins for up to 102 guests. Cabin categories and public spaces are arranged across six passenger decks, with Wi-Fi available in cabins and common areas.
For families
No dedicated children’s facilities were identified on the current official ship page.
Pools, spa & wellness
Facilities include a fitness center, spa treatment room, sauna and a sundeck whirlpool that can function as a plunge pool in warm climates.
Accessibility
An elevator and laundry services are listed among the onboard conveniences. No detailed accessibility specifications were identified on the current official ship page.
Environmental features
The operator states that dining menus feature sustainable choices and local ingredients where possible. The ship’s expedition format emphasizes smaller-scale access to natural and cultural sites.
Where National Geographic Orion sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Antarctica | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South America | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other / multi-region | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Explore This Ship
Jump from National Geographic Orion sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
Next: May 13, 2027
2 upcoming departures
Next: May 20, 2027
2 upcoming departures
Next: Dec 1, 2026
2 upcoming departures
Next: Nov 19, 2026
9 upcoming departures
12 Nights
Azores to Barcelona: A Special Solar Eclipse Voyage
Next: Jul 28, 2027
1 upcoming departure
11 Nights
Continental Crossroads: Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands
Next: Mar 27, 2027
1 upcoming departure
11 Nights
Continental Crossroads: Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands
Next: Oct 3, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Next: Aug 28, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Next: May 3, 2027
3 upcoming departures
All 18 itineraries and their departure dates
- Ancient Mediterranean: Exploring Greece, Croatia and Albania 13 May 2027, 21 Aug 2027
- Ancient Mediterranean: Exploring Greece, Croatia and Albania 20 May 2027, 28 Aug 2027
- Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage 10-Day 1 Dec 2026, 20 Dec 2026
- Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage 9-Day 19 Nov 2026, 25 Nov 2026, 27 Dec 2026, 2 Jan 2027, 8 Jan 2027, 19 Jan 2027, 25 Jan 2027, 31 Jan 2027, 6 Feb 2027
- Azores to Barcelona: A Special Solar Eclipse Voyage 28 Jul 2027
- Continental Crossroads: Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands 27 Mar 2027
- Continental Crossroads: Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands 3 Oct 2027
- Crossroads of the Adriatic and Aegean: Greece, Croatia and Albania 28 Aug 2027
- Crossroads of the Ancient World: Exploring Greece and Turkey 3 May 2027, 27 May 2027, 11 Sep 2027
- Epic Mediterranean and Greek Isles Voyage 6 Jun 2027
- Epic Mediterranean and Greek Isles Voyage 7 Apr 2027
- Greek Isles Odyssey: Mythology, History and Cerulean Seas 19 Apr 2027, 26 Apr 2027, 6 Jun 2027, 4 Sep 2027
- Islands of the Azores: Basalt Peaks to Volcanic Vineyards 7 Jul 2027, 14 Jul 2027, 21 Jul 2027
- Mediterranean Wonders: Sicily, Greece, Sardinia and Beyond 7 Apr 2027, 9 Aug 2027
- Mediterranean Wonders: Sicily, Greece, Sardinia and Beyond 13 Jun 2027, 21 Sep 2027
- Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Argentina's Staten Island 23 Feb 2027
- Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Argentina's Staten Island 15 Feb 2027
- Spain, Portugal and Morocco: Atlantic Horizons 25 Jun 2027
All Upcoming Departures
National Geographic Orion FAQ
What flag does National Geographic Orion sail under?
National Geographic Orion is registered in Bahamas.
How many passengers does National Geographic Orion hold?
National Geographic Orion carries about 102 guests with roughly 76 crew.
How old is National Geographic Orion?
National Geographic Orion entered service in 2003.
How big is National Geographic Orion?
At 3,984 gross tons and 103 m long, National Geographic Orion is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 36% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.