Orion Expedition Cruises most successful operator in Cruise Passenger Magazine awards

**Ally** · 05-01-2007, 04:09 PM

Cruise Passenger Magazine, the Southern Hemisphere’s highly regarded cruise publication, has just announced the winners of its 2006 Readers Choice Awards.

Most successful of all cruise operators was Orion Expedition Cruises’ Orion which was awarded top billing in three categories, followed by one second place. * BEST SMALL SHIP – Orion, 1st * BEST CUISINE – Orion, 1st * BEST ADVENTURE SHIP – Orion, 1st * BEST Australia/New Zealand CRUISE SHIP (Orion, Runner up) Understandably delighted by the results, Sarina Bratton, Founder and Managing Director of Orion Expedition Cruises, praised the dedication, hard work and consistent attention to detail provided across all facets of the Orion operation, with particular attention to Orion's 75 onboard crew as being key factors in the success.

Sarina commented that the Awards results reflected consumer endorsement of her original concept to provide the Australian market with specialist expedition cruising in combination with true 5 star standards of service and luxury, citing strong forward bookings (with an above 30% repeat-passenger ratio) as evidence of the successful establishment of Orion in Australia in just two years of operation.

Also pleased with the results was Serge Dansereau (The Bathers' Pavilion), who is responsible for Orion's dinner menus. Recently returned from hosting a sell-out Orion Tasmanian food and wine voyage, Serge was happy to hear the news that Orion's cuisine had been rated so highly and pointed to the high standards maintained by Executive Chef Lothar Greiner and his team onboard.