On Antarctic Cruises with Orion Expeditions, you will experience the beauty of the southern hemisphere. Cruises into the Antarctic are ideal during the northern hemisphere’s winter. Possible destinations include much more than the world’s only continent covered in ice. New Zealand, Tasmania and a number of gorgeous islands adorn the open seas surrounding Antarctica. You can enjoy them all from the comfort and safety of Orion’s cruise liners. If you want to have an even closer experience with these destinations, Orion expeditions is prepared help you disembark and walk these beautiful southern lands.

Antarctic Cruises with Orion Expeditions

Orion Expeditions operates two different ships in the southern hemisphere. However, the amenities onboard either ship are first class. You can take Antarctic cruises in the Orion, a custom-made liner elegantly furnished or onboard the Orion II. The latter is a refitted yacht, slightly smaller than its sister ship but just as luxurious and fitted with all the modern equipment to make Antarctic Cruises both comfortable and safe.

Amenities onboard Antarctic Cruises

You do not need to leave the conveniences of home behind to make an expedition to Antarctica. The 5-star luxury of Orion expedition’s ships provides comfort as well as access to modern technology. The suites aboard both the Orion and the Orion II will dazzle you with their ocean views and their internet access. The latter, along with each stateroom’s flat screen TV and DVD player, will bring the rest of the world into your room whenever you want it.

You can always forget about everything and enjoy the many amenities offered on the Antarctic cruises. Each ship is equipped with a health spa, gymnasium and sauna. The Orion, slightly larger than the Orion II, also contains a sun deck Jacuzzi. The chilly ocean waters have never looked better than they do when you see them from a Jacuzzi, champagne glass in hand.

Education onboard Antarctic Cruises

Amid these luxuries, as you cruise over the southern waves, the crews of both ships stand ready to educate you about your new and strange surroundings. Their overview of the Antarctic includes lectures about wildlife, environmental issues and history. Orion Expeditions employs top experts in the fields of biology, botany and history to accompany you on your journey into the southern hemisphere. They are prepared to explain matters such as the life cycle of the many creatures you will see on your cruise.

Antarctic Cruises

You have your choice of two primary destinations when you select one of Orion Expedition’s Antarctic Cruises. Along the way to each destination, your ship will stop in at some of the many islands and other interesting locations in the southern hemisphere. The primary destinations are the Commonwealth Bay and the Ross Sea.

• Commonwealth Bay

This expedition begins in New Zealand at Invercargill. After trips to the Auckland and Snares islands, your ship will bring you to the Commonwealth Bay region. The highpoint of the trip for many people is cruising past Cape Denison, where the remains of Sir Douglas Mawson’s hut still stands as a reminder the difficult, early 20th century expeditions to the Antarctic. Others enjoy the chance to see the grounded icebergs of Port Martin up close.

• Ross Sea

The expedition along the Ross Sea coast covers much of the same ground as the explorers Shackleton and Scott did a century ago. The expedition leaves from Tasmania. Before reaching the Ross Sea, the ship passes Macquarie Island. The return expedition takes you through Campbell, Auckland and Snares Islands.

Shore Excursions on Antarctic Cruises

Orion Expeditions does not restrict you to the comforts of the ship. Those passengers who are willing can disembark at many locations and see them up close. Most exciting are the wet landings, in which you can take a small launch to the beach and step into the waves before setting foot on the Antarctic.