Sarina Bratton has provided further details about the new ship’s altered 2011 schedule. DELIVERY OF THE NEW ORION II HAS BEEN PUSHED back a month, with the maiden voyage rescheduled from May to 10 Jun 2011, and Japan and Russia sailings cut back to one each. The changes are due...
Sarina Bratton has provided
further details about the new
ship’s altered 2011 schedule.
DELIVERY OF THE NEW ORION II HAS BEEN PUSHED
back a month, with the maiden voyage
rescheduled from May to 10 Jun 2011, and
Japan and Russia sailings cut back to one
each.
The changes are due to “additional
technical work” required on the vessel, which
was damaged in heavy seas in Dec 2010,
and the effects of the recent earthquake in
Japan.
Speaking to Cruise Weekly, Orion
Expedition Cruises managing director, Sarina
Bratton, said cruises would have to be
merged to make up for the lost time.
“The delay has meant that following our
inaugural voyage from Vancouver to Otaru,
Japan, we have had to consolidate the
planned sailings into one Russian Far East
and one Inland Sea of Japan itinerary for this
year,” Bratton said.
“The Russian Far East voyage (04 – 18 Jul)
is now 14 nights duration, instead of 10,
commencing and finishing in Otaru, instead
of finishing in Petropavlovsk.
“This provides four extra nights, which of
course we will not be charging for, plus the
deletion of charter flight and associated costs
to and from Petropavlovsk.”
The 10-night Inland Sea of Japan voyage
(18 – 28 Jul) will now commence in Otaru
and finish in Kobe, “nowhere near areas
affected by earthquake, tsunami or the
damaged reactors”, Bratton said.
Currently operating as Clelia II, the vessel
will spend “longer than originally planned” in
dry dock for technical inspection and
maintenance prior to the handover.
But agents can be assured Orion II will
then be ready for business.
“We have been in discussion with the
owners and do not anticipate any further
delays,” Bratton said.
