Built in 2003 and purchased by Lindblad Expeditions in 2014, National Geographic Orion exudes as much charm and comfort as an old-school expedition ship can. Carrying just 102 guests, 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. Deployed in the South Pacific and along Australia’s Kimberley Coast, as well as in the Mediterranean in summer, National Geographic offers enrichment-focused journeys that explore each destination deeply.