Honouring our history… protecting our future…

Sustainability has become the benchmark by which we will all be measured.

For Orion, sustainability is more than a fashion, a trend or a compelling need. Sustainability is a core component of our company’s originating vision and values. To explore “a path less travelled” requires a gentle step. To work with the challenges and opportunities these environments offer is the starting point of every journey.

A small ship – featuring the latest German designed environmental management technology. This purpose built design extends from the energy efficient engine, to the collecting of air conditioning condensation and recycling of grey water onboard. A ship designed to be fully self contained for up to 22 days at sea. A ship with environmental credentials designed to meet the strictest requirements for marine management established by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators. Credentials that set the standard for best practice in all environments we operate in.

Community partnership – is the basis for all expedition itinerary design. We start first with an approach to the traditional owners, chiefs or heads of the communities, tribes or villages we hope to visit. We start a dialogue about their lives, their needs, and the opportunity of shared experience. A key ingredient in this discussion is authenticity. In most instances we are working with communities without tourism experience and it is important to us that our interaction with them is positive in ways that the communities feel are fair and beneficial to their needs and interests. They see the potential benefit to their people, but need investment, commitment and support to see this through. Our role is to nurture the partnership, ensuring both parties work together to protect their natural resources, sustain their well being and support cultural heritage.

“Every traveler can be a part of the solution to help protect the natural and cultural heritage of our planet while they have the vacation of a lifetime.” Costas Christ, Global Travel Editor, National Geographic Adventure

Click here to learn more about Orion’s commitment to sustainability.

EarthCheck
EarthCheck is a worldwide Benchmarking, Certification and Performance Improvement system which assists international tourism organisations attain sustainability goals. The certification system responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet including climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management.

Orion's EarthCheck Sustainability Award
In 2010 we have renewed our commitment to sustainability and our operational performance has once again been acknowledged by the worldwide benchmarking authority EarthCheck. Awarded EarthCheck Bronze status under their globally recognised environmental programme, the award recognises Orion Expedition Cruises as operating to the world’s highest environmental standards, benchmarking energy and water consumption, total waste production and community commitment.

Orion was the first ship in its class to undergo the benchmarking programme, effectively necessitating the creation of new benchmark standards. Orion achieved Best Practice results in six areas - Water Saving, Waste Recycling, Community Commitment, Community Contributions, Cleaning Products, and Pesticide Products.

Orion was highly commended for the results by Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global (Management Company of EarthCheck) who remarked: “I am delighted that Orion Expedition Cruises has achieved Benchmarked Bronze status. Orion Expedition Cruises is a prime example of an organisation committed to environmentally sustainable tourism. They have demonstrated through a variety of initiatives that their business and its employees can make a difference by reducing their environmental impact. The commitment they have shown by participating in the EarthCheck programme and the achievements they have made within the programme set an example for other businesses to follow.”

In 2010, Orion Expedition Cruises is embarking on EarthCheck's Certification accreditation, the next stage of our sustainability journey. Certification is a rigorous programme encompassing compliance, approach, performance and communication. We will keep you updated with our progress.