Orion
Small ship, small profile. Orion is the smallest, youngest and most luxurious ocean-going cruise ship to visit Singapore this year. Ship is a relative term as the Orion could really be classified as a yacht.
History
Every ship has a story and even the Orion, although only 6 years old, has something to tell. To properly review the Orion, we must understand her lineage. She is the third in a 3 ship series built at Cassens-Werft in Germany.
The first ship in the series delivered in 2001 was the Sun Bay. She has since been sold and now sails the Galapagos Islands as the Celebrity Xpedition.
The second ship delivered in 2002 and aptly named, the Sun Bay II, has undergone extensive modifications the result of which, she has been converted into a private yacht. The conversion has given the ship a sleek ultra-modern design to compete against today's mega-yachts. The Sun Bay II, now named Lauren L, mainly operates on a charter basis in the Mediterranean.
Finally, delivered in 2003, the Orion is 13 meters longer than her sisters making her more unique amongst the three but her design and layout are consistent.
In 2004, Orion Expedition Cruises was started in 2004 by Sarina Bratton, a long time member of the Australian cruising community. The name of the new organization no doubt influenced by their prize attraction the Orion herself.
Design
The Orion and her sister cousins are very similar in design to the Sea Goddess I and II cruise ships built in Finland during the mid-80s. Single engine with a single propeller design significantly simplifies the ships power plant. Augmented with both a bow and aft thruster, the Orion is highly maneuverable. Her size, shallow draft and ice-class hull give her the flexibility to venture into almost any corner of the globe. She is the designed in every way, to be the ultimate expedition ship and with a 1:1.4 crew to passenger ratio, attention to detail can be assured.
On the inside, the Orion's pedigree is posh luxury. The ship is marketed almost exclusively to up market Australians looking for journeys way off the beaten path. Her regular itineraries are focused on far north western Australia (Kimberley), New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia (Solomon Islands) and Antarctica.
Vital Statistics
| Name(s): | Orion | | | | |
| IMO: | 9273076 | | | | |
| Call Sign: | C6TE3 | | | | |
| Builder: | Schiffswerft und Maschinenfabrik Cassens GmbH, Emden (Germany) |
| Yard Number: | 30236 | | | | |
| Delivery: | 6-Nov-2003 | | | | |
| Gross Tonnage: | 3,984 | | | | |
| Length: | 102.7 | m | 336.9 | ft | | |
| Beam: | 14.0 | m | 46.0 | ft | | |
| Draft: | 3.8 | m | 12.5 | ft | | |
| Passengers: | 106 | lower | 53 | cabins | 140 | max |
| Engines: | Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. 1 x 8 cylinder MaK 8 M25 diesel producing a total of 2,400 kW (3,265 hp) |
| Propulsion: | 1 x variable pitch propeller | | |
| Thrusters: | 1 x bow with 400 kW (536 hp) | | |
| 1 x aft with 325 kW (435 hp) | | |
| Speed: | Cruising | 12.5 kts | Max | 15 kts | | |
| Owner: | Explorer Maritime Ltd. (Marshall Islands) |
Current & Future
Orion Expedition Cruises was purchased by KSL Capital Partners in 2008. Since then, Sarina Bratton's association with Orion has seemed to fade into history and Orion has started shifting away from a heavy focus on luxury and more emphasis on expedition. The variety of their itineraries is increasing and they are venturing farther up into South East Asia. Orion has found a niche and there are no signs that they plan to stop exploiting it. There are rumors that KSL may be considering expansion but no details have yet been released.
Orion recently made a visit to Singapore in September as part of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. Her lucky charter passengers, using the ship as a floating palace while enjoying the race and complimentary carnival of events.
The Orion, young and with a specific focus, is a ship we expect to see continuing as a successful enterprise for some time to come.