AUSSIE CRUISE QUEEN SARINA BRATTON HAS OFFICIALLY taken delivery of her newest vessel, the 100 passenger all-suite luxury expedition cruise ship now named Orion II. Bratton signed the papers for the long term charter of the former Clelia II in Curacao in the Caribbean this week, with the move doubling...
AUSSIE CRUISE QUEEN SARINA BRATTON HAS OFFICIALLY
taken delivery of her newest vessel, the 100
passenger all-suite luxury expedition cruise
ship now named Orion II.
Bratton signed the papers for the long
term charter of the former Clelia II in
Curacao in the Caribbean this week, with
the move doubling Orion Expedition
Cruises’ fleet just over five years since the
first Orion set sail.
“Orion II represents
another step on a journey
that has included many
fascinating destinations
since Orion’s first
expeditionary voyage from
Tahiti to Australia in March
2005,” Bratton said.
“Despite difficult global
financial conditions, our
growth has been solid and
this has been enhanced by
the support of our loyal
guests – many of whom are
joining me onboard for the inaugural 24
night voyage,” she added.
Before departing on her first commercial
cruise as Orion II, the ship will visit Los
Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle where
she will be previewed to travel trade and
consumers.
An official naming ceremony will take
place in Seattle, with three godmothers to
be named – all of whom are honoured past
passengers of Orion Expedition Cruises.
Bratton said the delivery of the second
ship is a “further step to fulfilling the
company’s original vision to have Orion
Expedition Cruises regarded as the operator
of choice in the Asia Pacific”.
The doubling of capacity sees the line
able to significantly expand its range of
destinations with Orion II set to offer
itineraries to such exotic places as the
Russian Far East, the Ryukyu Islands, the
Inland Sea of Japan as well as Thailand,
Cambodia and Vietnam.
Bratton said Orion and Orion II are “two of
the most comfortable and capable
expedition cruise ships cruising in
Australasia”.
Orion Expedition Cruises is set for further
expansion, with majority owner KSL Capital
Partners believed to be supportive of further
growth in the fleet in coming years.
