Dec.8-2010 The Clelia II is returning to Ushuaia and is being aided by another cruise vessel NG Explorer”, said the Argentine Navy. She is battling winds of 90 km, but the situation “is under control”.The vessel was on its way back from Antarctica when one of the engines failed “causing serious propulsion problems and limitations in her manoeuvrability. However the crew managed to make contact with another tourist vessel, the NG Explorer, which immediately relayed the distress call. The ship had 88 passengers, all from the United States, and 77 crew: 44. There are no injuries to passengers, although one member of the crew sustained minor injuries.

May-24-2011 Sarina Bratton, founder and md of Orion Expedition Cruises, has taken delivery of Orion II in Curaçao where the former Clelia II has been in drydock, prior to setting sail in her new livery for Los Angeles via the Panama Canal.

Orion Expedition Cruises announced its 2013 deployment for just one ship, its 100-passenger Orion, notably absent is the Orion II, which the company is returning to its owners at the end of 2012 despite what they once said was a “long-term charter.”
Absent from the 2013 sailings are itineraries for Orion II, which will be returned to its owners mid November 2012 and will no longer be used by the company for expeditions beyond that date.
Sarina Bratton, Founder & Managing Director commented “we have not been satisfied with some performance aspects such as the fuel efficiency of the vessel and therefore have decided to return the ship at the completion of the first charter term.