A polar ship without a mudroom
The National Geographic Orion was built in Germany in 2003. One hundred and
three metres, 53 cabins, 102 travellers, six decks, one lift, retractable
stabilisers. A third-party database gives her a first-year ice rating; the
official page offers only "high ice-class rating" with no figure.
Her most serious flaw has to be named, and a professional review states it
plainly: there is no mudroom where travellers can put on their gear, and no space
in the cabin to store wet equipment either. On a polar route that is a real
problem. Outdoor embarkation areas turn slippery in cold regions, and wet gear
ends up somewhere.
This ship is excellent at what she is best at: the South Pacific, Asia, the
Mediterranean, where heavy gear is not needed. In Antarctica she does the job
with a logistical discomfort her younger fleetmates do not impose.
What is aboard
An open bridge, a plunge pool, an observation lounge, a library, a fitness
centre and a spa, two dining spaces including an outdoor cafe. Crew gratuities
are included and a National Geographic photographer is aboard: she is one of only
four ships in that position.
One documented incident, because it says something about the trade: on 27
December 2016, a main engine failure some two hundred nautical miles south of the
Beagle Channel. The ship continued on auxiliary power and reached port safely.
Departures were affected.
The other ships in the fleet
The National Geographic Endurance and the National Geographic Resolution have a higher ice class and a mudroom. The Connect is a chartered
European river ship. The The Jahan holds the lower Mekong.
The fare in detail
Aboard and ashore, the fare covers meals, the outings of the expedition
programme, use of the Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear, park
entrance fees, special access permits, port taxes and the scheduled airport
transfers. Alcohol is included aboard, except on four ships the line names
explicitly.
Two structural exclusions. International air travel is not included; some
essential internal flights are, when the itinerary says so. And crew gratuities
are included on four ships only: the Endurance, the Resolution, the Explorer and
the Orion. On the other eight they remain at your discretion and on your
account.
The National Geographic photographer follows the same list of four ships.
Everywhere else a certified photo instructor fills that role. We spell this out
because the difference appears nowhere on the ship pages, and it matters to
anyone booking primarily for the photography.
Basic Wi-Fi is included. In Antarctica, the Arctic and parts of the
Galapagos, the link depends on satellite and weather: no guarantee of
service.
Life aboard, without the decor
These are expedition ships, not cruise ships. One dining room, one seating, no
butler, no free-flowing champagne, no chandeliers. A professional review puts it
bluntly: anyone hoping for that will be disappointed. What you get instead are
naturalists, an open bridge and outings twice a day.
The programme is decided day by day, according to ice, wind and wildlife.
Landings are by Zodiac, sometimes with feet in the water, from an unstable
craft.
No wheelchair-accessible cabin is documented on any ship in the fleet, and
the line publishes no accessibility policy. Some ships have a lift, several do
not, and on one of them the lift does not even reach the mudroom. Any booking
for a traveller with limited mobility must be confirmed in writing.
Arranging this trip from Quebec
International air travel is not included in the expedition fare. Some internal
flights essential to the route are, when the itinerary states it explicitly.
Plan a night ahead before embarkation, two if the time difference is large.
That margin is used exactly once, but on that day it saves the trip. Keep the
return day free as well.
We build the complete file — flight, expedition, hotels, transfers, insurance
— under the protection of Quebec's compensation fund for travel agency
customers. One call is enough to check what the season really allows.
