The 100-passenger Orion II was named by three of the cruise line's most loyal passengers, who will serve as godmother to the ship, which set off on a 24-night inaugural voyage from Vancouver to Otaru, Japan.

The ship originally launched in 1991 as the Renaissance Four and later renamed the Clelia II. It has been refurbished several times, including a $19 million upgrade in 2009.

The cruise line describes its new acquisition as "yacht-like," with a crew of 70 servicing only 100 passengers in 50 suites.

Orion Expedition Cruises is a luxury line that also operates the 106-passenger Orion, and has focused the marketing of its Asia Pacific voyages more to the U.S. market over the last few years.

After its inaugural cruise, the Orion II will sail to the Russian Far East, the Inland Sea of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands before offering a series of 10-night itineraries around Borneo. Later 2011 cruises will visit Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.