Travel to Nature’s Wonders

Venture through the breathtaking Inside Passage from Washington to Alaska aboard Lindblad’s new National Geographic Quest

A humpback whale breaches from sapphire waters as your expedition vessel navigates past island formations off the Pacific coast of North America. Joining the renovated National Geographic Endeavour II and stylish Panorama II, which sailed to the islands of the Galápagos and Cuba in our Ultimate Experiences magazine article, Lindblad’s new National Geographic Quest segues from one thrilling encounter to another along the Inside Passage’s flora- and fauna-rich coastlines. Let us plan your extraordinary expedition to a region many only dream of discovering.

A Stylish New Ship

Get a close-up look at National Geographic Quest, which will operate alongside the National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion beginning in the summer of 2017.

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Artist rendering of category 4 cabin

You’ll travel aboard the National Geographic Quest, with 185-square-feet of cabin space in which to luxuriate as spectacular views drift past your floor-to-ceiling windows. Families have room to relax after exciting excursions ashore with 12 cabins that connect via internal doorways. Modern-style bathrooms come stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, and all accommodations include Wi-Fi access and USB outlets to ensure all your gear is ready for the next day’s adventure.

Artist rendering of the dining hall

Taking into account 50 years of expedition heritage, National Geographic Quest is specially designed with an open bow and observation area that can accommodate the entire onboard community at once for a shared wildlife-viewing experience. Celebrate sightings of whales and bears with newfound friends over cocktails in the lounge, or head to the LEXspa for a natural facial treatment and massage. The entire ship — expedition leaders, naturalists and guest speakers included — gathers in the dining room each evening for conversation over fresh, local and sustainably sourced cuisine.

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Artist rendering of National Geographic Quest

To complement its onshore excursions — all of which are included in your fare — National Geographic Quest comes equipped with Zodiacs, double and single kayaks, underwater cameras and a hydrophone, which picks up real-time transmissions of marine mammals as they feed or make noise nearby. On board, an open bridge invites you to sip your morning coffee and enjoy the view or chat with the ship’s officers who are eager to share their personal anecdotes and expert insight with you.

Exploring the Inside Passage and Beyond

Venture to wild, seldom-seen regions and iconic national parks on an in-depth exploration of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, British Columbia and Alaska during National Geographic Quest’s inaugural voyage.

Kayaking between sculpted icebergs in Tracy Arm fjord, Alaska

Explore the mesmerizing natural wonders of Tracy Arm fjord as you kayak past glacially carved walls. A special Glacier Bay National Park permit allows you to explore one of the world’s largest international protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage site; as you marvel at its enormous glaciers and expansive wilderness, a thundering roar breaks the awe-struck silence — a massive chunk of ice has just calved into the sea. These natural wonders lend themselves to the area’s lore and legend, shared with you by a native Tlingit interpreter and a National Park Ranger.

San Juan Islands, Washington

You’ll spend a full day exploring Washington’s San Juan Islands, choosing to join a naturalist-led hike through a thick forest of evergreen, oak and madrone trees or kayaking past rocky shorelines and into quiet coves. In the nearby Gulf Islands, located just across the Canadian border in the Salish Sea, another kayaking adventure takes you from larger islands that are home to vibrant communities to rocks inhabited only by slumbering sea lion colonies.

Alert Bay, British Columbia

A stop in Alert Bay, an island village found along British Columbia’s pristine coastline, introduces you to the area’s aboriginal culture with a traditional performance by a First Nations band within the larger Kwakwaka‘wakw nation of northern Vancouver Island. Learn more about their history and culture at the U’Mista Cultural Center, which is especially notable for its collection of masks and regalia related to the potlatch, a once-banned ceremonial ritual that regulates all aspects of Kwakwaka‘wakw social life.

More to the Story

Ask us how you can receive our Ultimate Experiences magazine to read about more transformative moments on Lindblad’s expedition-style voyages!

Ready To Go?

Set off on a wilderness and wildlife cruise like none other — call us to secure your spot on the inaugural voyage!

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