Built in 2003 and purchased by Lindblad Expeditions in 2014, National Geographic Orion exudes as much charm and comfort as an expedition ship can. Carrying just 102 passengers, it offers lots of amenities for a ship of its size with numerous lounges and outdoor spaces geared to watching the scenery and conversing with fellow passengers. Once deployed in the South Pacific and along Australia’s Kimberley Coast, National Geographic Orion now cruises Antarctica and Europe, offering enrichment-focused journeys that explore each destination deeply.