I was lucky enough to participate in a webinar with Lindblad Expeditions and learn about their Orion sailings.
Lindblad has over 50 years experience in expedition cruising. And it was pioneers like Lars Lindblad who led the way. Lars was the first to bring people to Maldives, and then to Antarctica.
Lindblad guests are interested in learning about nature, birding, wildlife, photography, snorkelling, and many more like activities. Lindblad has the world’s best expedition team, and their 1:10 staff to guest ratio means they offer unmatched personal attention. As one guest put it, “if you could remember everything you were taught onboard, a week would be like another year at university.”
The National Geographic Orion was christened in March this year, and 102 guests can sail on their newest ship. It has a beautiful interior, and outstanding cuisine for when you come back inside – after all, you need some comfort after all that learning. Chef Serge Dansereau is the creative force behind NG Orion’s superb cuisine. There is also an outdoor cafe with brilliant vistas during breakfast and lunch. attire is casual. There are nature-inspired wellness options – LEXspa treatment, daily stretch classes, etc, and this is the only ship in their fleet with whirlpool hot tub. An open bridge policy means client can visit the bridge at almost any time, and there are 53 spacious cabins (all cabins have ocean views, with four dedicated solo cabins). It is the perfect platform for exploration.
Lindblad’s undersea program is also unparalleled. They have undersea specialists and divemasters on staff – and snorkel gear for all. The NG Orion also offers scuba gear for up to 24 guests, as well as state of art ROV (remotely operated vehicle) capable of exploring depths of up to 1000 feet. There are more tools for exploration with a fleet of 14 zodiacs, 24 double kayaks, video microscope, and crow’s nest camera – all allowing Lindblad to transform the experience from sightseeing to life-enhancing.
Some of the many itineraries:
*wildlife and cultures of South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar – 23 days/ 20 nights Mar.20, 2015 – look for Madagascar’s ring-tailed and brown lemurs, plus Coquerel’s sifakas -see boaboa trees
*treasures of Indian Ocean : Zanzibar and the Seychelles – 15 days / 12 n – Apr.8.15 – see 3 world heritage sites: Zanzibar’s Stone Town, Aldabra, and Paslin’s World – see the Aldabra giant tortoise in the Seychelles, one of the world’s largest tortoises, similar in size to the Galapagos tortoise, see the granite boulders of Anse Source d’Argent – names the world’s best best in the National Geographic book “the 10 best of everything”
*21 days/ 18 n Apr.18.2015 Indian Ocean Odyssey: Seychelles, Maldives, and Sri Lanka – begin in Seychelles, visit several islands, make way eastward -snorkel and dive the UNESCO Biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll in the Maldives with 1000+ fish species, including manta rays and whale sharks
*wild islands of Sri Lanka, Borneo, and the Andaman Sea – 22 days/ 19 nights – May 4, 2015
*wild encounters from borneo to bali – 13d/ 10n mar23, jun2, aug28, sept7 – interact with orangutans and see proboscis monkeys – visit camp leakey – interact with orangutans up close in Borneo
*kimberley expedition – australia’s wild northwest – glide in a zodiac between steep canyon walls to king george walls – see the red rocks and rugged terrain of the Kimberley
*bali to palau: exotic indonesia: 16d, 12 n – sept.17.15 – see komodo dragons, the world’s largest living lizards in their natural habitat
*palau to solomon islands: along the pacific equator – best wood carvers at Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, and shop for art
*solomon islands to fiji 13d/10n oct.14.15 – vanuatu dive the ss president coolidge – wreck diving – also meet the mudmen of santa ana – see ancient cave art and petroglyphs in Vanuatu – there is extraordinary birdwatching – from fiji’s des voeux peak – a birtdwatcher’s panoramic perch – opportunity to see array of bird species
*fiji to cool islands” polynesian discovery 13, 10n oct.25.15 – snorkel and dive in fiji, tonga, niue, and the cook islands – series of 3 10 night voyages timed right before holidays
*tahiti to easter island: tales of the pacific – 19d/ 16n nov.13.15 – dive or snorkel the stunning reefs of Fakarava and the Pitcairn Islands – trace the legend of the ill-fated HMS Bounty from Tahiti to Pitcairn where descendents of it mutineers live today. UNESCO world heritage site Henderson Island in the Pitcairn islands is virtually untouched by humans
You can explore more with optional extensions, and there are national geographic photographers onboard every sailing. There is also a great line up of speakers – birute galdikas wild encounters from borneo to bali may23, jun2, aug.28, sept.7 and wild islands of sri landka, borneo and the andaman sea may4. 15 – other speakers Dr Patricia Wright – lemur expert, Dr Carl Safina- co-founder of the safina center, Dr Andrea Marshall- manta ray expert, Valerie Yalor, Dr. Lawrence Clair
Your expedition includes accomodations, transfers, all meals and non-alcohol beverages, , cappacinos lattes and refillable water, 24hr coffee tea soda, hors d’oevuvres and snacks during recap, sauna and whilrlpool, fitness centre, fully stocked library, expertise of expedition staff, meals on land as indicated, special access permits park fees, and more.
(For any scuba diving, you have to be certified – logged 25 dives in total and made a dive within 12 monts – surcharge for scuba)
Lindblad-ng has the finest expeiditon team. With NG photographer and Lindblad-NG photo instructor, there is an undersea program w snorkeling/ scuba/ glass bottom boat/ ROV/ undersea speacialit/ divemasters; tools for exploration,zodiacs, kayaks and more. Lindblad are the pioneers of expedition. There is flexibility and choice, delicious food and outstanding accomodations, video choronicler aboard, and a commitment to conservation. Lindblad works to ensure your visit will be a force of good in region
Contact me for more information.
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
613-837-0699