On all expeditions you’ll find a team of experts travelling with you, all selected for their knowledge and practical experience in fields like botany, marine biology, anthropology and history. You are not only invited to enjoy their informative and entertaining presentations in the Cosmos Lecture Theatre and Leda Lounge; you might venture ashore with them or reflect on the day’s shared highlights over a drink before dinner.
Below are some members of Orion's Expedition Team, please note that the expedition teams may vary for each voyage.
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Justin Friend |
Justin was born and raised in Cairns, in Far-North Queensland, and has been employed in the tourism industry all his working life. After working as an adventure travel guide for various companies in Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica, he studied Interpretive Tourism and settled into working in marine tourism on the Great Barrier Reef and at various islands and locations along the coast. He has also completed a number of maritime training courses in safety, navigation and seamanship, and has an open Coxswains certificate.
Having discovered his career path early, Justin began working as an Expedition Leader and Trip Director for overnight expedition cruises on the Great Barrier Reef, in the Northern Territory and West Australia’s Kimberley Region. Joining Orion on the inaugural cruise from Tahiti to Sydney in March 2005, Justin has been instrumental in developing the expedition side of Orion’s cruises, spending the first year of operations aboard the vessel as Expedition Leader on the Great Barrier Reef, in the Kimberley and Tasmania, and more recently, in a shoreside development and planning role as Expedition Program Coordinator.
Justin has long been intrigued by the history, culture and natural beauty of Australia’s nearby neighbour, Papua New Guinea, and has spent much of his spare time in the last 10 years exploring the remote and virtually untouched regions of this unique country. Justin has been ‘adopted’ by several Papua New Guinean families in different villages, including in the Sepik River area and the Trobriand Islands, where he is considered a local and has been allowed to participate in several sacred ceremonies that are not usually open to outsiders.
When not on board Orion Justin travels around the globe “scouting” for unique destinations and experiences to enhance Orion Expedition Cruises’ future voyages. |
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Mark (Harry) Christensen |
Mark first joined Orion in late 2005 and has since been an integral member of our Expedition Team.
Mark is a Marine Biologist by trade. For 14 years he worked within the Tourism Industry providing educational programs to visitors in the Torres Strait, Great Barrier Reef and Kimberley regions.
He also worked for many years on the exclusive Lizard Island in Queensland, Australia and was responsible for bringing the diversity and fragile nature of the reef to the Island guests’ attention. It was here Mark started producing a series of nature-based newsletters as well compiling educational programs on the Island’s flora.
Mark was called to help establish Poruma Island Resort on Coconut Island, a tiny coral cay in the Torres Strait. This island was seen as the most viable option for creating employment for the Torres Strait Islanders and Mark was responsible for recruiting and training the local Indigenous people to work at the resort.
Mark also has extensive experience in the Kimberley region, where he worked as a guide and as an Expedition Leader for several seasons.
Mark will share with Orion guests his vast knowledge and passion for the natural environment and its inhabitants. |
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Michael Fogg |
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With two degrees in Marine Biology, Mick has over 20 years experience in research and educating the general public on the myriad of wonders that abound in the tropics.
Mick’s maritime qualifications have enabled him to experience a variety of roles onboard other vessels including – Skipper, Engineer, First Mate and Expedition Leader. However, he gains the most satisfaction from enlightening people about the wonders of the natural world.
Prior to finding his sea legs, Mick worked at James Cook University for 10 years, undertaking a variety of roles, including associate lecturer and managing the Orpheus Island Research Station. He still lectures to visiting students and operates intensive courses for international student groups from his base in Cairns.
In his role as the Expedition Team Leader aboard Orion, Mick will lead the expedition briefing each evening bringing Orion guests up to the minute information on the coming day’s events and discussing what you have experienced during the day.
No matter where you are in the world whilst onboard Orion, Mick is always your first port-of-call for first-hand information on our Shoreside Expedition program.
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Damon Ramsey |
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Damon completed his Biology degree at Charles Darwin University and James Cook University at Townsville and Cairns. Previous to this he gained his qualifications in Outdoor Guiding in the Blue Mountains, south eastern Australia, which led to a range of research assistant experiences.
Damon is the author and photographer of the Ecosystem Guide series. For the last few years he has been a company director and co-owner of Educational Tours Australia. “ETA” organises and runs various study tours, including biology and ecology programmes, for groups of students of all ages.
For the last decade he has worked as a guide and lecturer for various companies and institutes around Australia and the Pacific, leading day trips, overnight jungle hikes, rock art tours, documentary film crews, 4WD safaris, coral reef cruises, cycle tours, expedition cruises, wildlife and bird-watching tours, and biology, ecotourism and other study programs.
Damon’s work and travel experiences have taken him to most parts of the globe including New Zealand and we welcome him onboard Orion again.
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