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 40 upcoming departures across 20 itineraries, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
✓ Small-ship expedition travelers
✓ Wildlife watchers and photographers
✓ Guests who prefer casual open-seating dining
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
National Geographic Orion at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 36%
A small expedition-size ship at 3,984 gross tons — #360 of 566 ships we track. 39 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Small-ship expedition travelers
- Wildlife watchers and photographers
- Guests who prefer casual open-seating dining
- Travelers wanting suites and solo cabins
- Families on eligible expedition itineraries
Think twice if you want
- Travelers seeking large-ship entertainment
- Guests wanting multiple specialty restaurants
- Passengers needing fully accessible small-boat landings
- Travelers who prefer formal evenings
- Guests seeking extensive children’s facilities
Live Position ● 1 hour ago
Heading to: Montevideo
14.0 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
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.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Deck 6 · Observation Deck
Observation Lounge and Library Hot Tub Fitness Center LEXspa Sauna SundeckDeck 5 · Bridge Deck
Bridge CategoryDeck 4 · Upper Deck
Outdoor Café Lounge Global Gallery Reception CategoryDeck 3 · Main Deck
Restaurant Marina Platform CategoryDeck 2 · Expedition Deck
Doctor's OfficeView the official National Geographic Orion deck plans from Lindblad Expeditions →
Cabins & suites
Oceanview 42%
Suite 58%
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CategoryOperator code 01; oval window; cabins 316, 318–321. Operator code 02; one or two oval windows; cabins 302–312, 314, 315 and 317. Solo category; cabins 301, 322 and 323; operator code 1S. Booking categories: 1, 2, 1S. | Oceanview | 22 | 175–180 sq ft | 2 | 3 |
| CategoryOperator code 03; large window and sofa bed in most cabins; cabins 401–412 and 414–419. Operator code 04; large window; cabins 511 and 515. Operator code 05; shared French balcony; cabins 501, 503–506 and 508. Operator code 06; private French balcony or floor-to-ceiling windows; cabin 502 has a soaking tub and cabin 509 has two windows instead of a balcony. Solo suite with two large windows; cabin 512; operator code 3S. Booking categories: 3, 4, 5, 6, 3S. | Suite | 31 | 175–345 sq ft | 3 | 4, 5 |
Dining, bars & venues
7 included 2 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Restaurant
Included
The main dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with open, unassigned seating.
Outdoor Café
Included
The outdoor café provides weather-dependent al fresco dining for selected meals.
Bars & lounges
Lounge
Varies
The lounge has a full bar and presentation facilities for talks and daily recaps.
History & sister ships
- 2003Entered service, built by Cassens Werft, Emden, Germany.
- 2014A dry-dock renovation redesigned the main Lounge and Observation Lounge, adding new seating, a bar, updated furnishings, improved presentation technology, a library, a chart table and a beverage station; the ship also entered Lindblad service under the National Geographic Orion name.
Where National Geographic Orion sails, month by month
| Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
Oct 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Antarctica | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South America | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other / multi-region | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 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
Next: Nov 28, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Next: Nov 20, 2027
1 upcoming departure
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
All 20 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
- Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage 9-Day 28 Nov 2027
- Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage 20 Nov 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 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on National Geographic Orion?
Dress is casual and comfortable, with no formal outfit required. Practical layered clothing is appropriate for the ship and shore activities.
Is dining included aboard National Geographic Orion?
Meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included. The Restaurant and, weather permitting, the Outdoor Café provide open-seating dining; beer, wine, cocktails and spirits are also included, with premium brands available for purchase.
Are crew gratuities included?
Crew gratuities are included for National Geographic Orion voyages.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Basic Wi-Fi is included for email, messaging and social media. Enhanced and Premium plans for heavier browsing, conferencing or streaming are available at an additional charge, subject to connectivity.
Is National Geographic Orion suitable for guests with mobility limitations?
Guests must provide and declare their own mobility equipment, and motorized devices are not permitted. Wheelchairs must be no wider than 24 inches; the crew cannot provide personal-care assistance, and participation in Zodiacs or nature landings cannot be guaranteed.
Are children welcome on National Geographic Orion?
Children may travel on Lindblad voyages, but the National Geographic Explorers-in-Training program is offered only on specified destinations and select Antarctica voyages. It is not a permanent drop-off kids facility aboard the ship.