Hard at work (kinda) - Lesa Bain of Orion Cruises
The Orion brochure features some of the most untouched corners of the world.
They say that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Well last Thursday, if you’d been at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto, you would have seen Lesa Bain of Orion Expedition Cruises very, very busy not working.
This is a lady who loves what she does. And no wonder.
Lesa was in town to spread the gospel about Orion (repped in Canada by Cruise Strategies). The Aussie company operates small ship cruises to undiscovered corners of the world such as Papua New Guinea, the Sub-Antarctic Islands off New Zealand and Borneo.
And by the end of the presentation, the group of hardnosed T.O. travel agents was sold. Maybe it was the images of seals hamming it up for the cameras, or word that Orion passengers get to visit an infant care facility for orangutans. Or news of Orion’s efforts to educate local farmers that tourism can provide a sustained income – but the tourists come expressly to see wildlife, which must be respected.
You’d think such a cruise would be Wild Animal Kingdom Bootcamp, but on Orion’s ships (the 2nd launches this spring; each holds about 100 guests and 70 crew), the passengers enjoy their creature comforts, including wood-panelled cabins, the library, spa, lecture theatre and Jacuzzi on the sun deck. Not to mention the cookie jar by the Zodiac launch platform.
What’s interesting is that 50% of Orion clientele have never been on a ship. Even more interesting? Their repeat factor, with just 2 ships and limited itineraries, is 35%.
“We know our cruises are going to be life changing,” Lesa added. And as curiosity about small ship cruising grows, alongside interest in sustainable tourism, it looks like Orion’s sailing in the right direction.
