Friday, April 12, 2024

National Geographic Quest Cruise: Expert Review 2023

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The crew onboard National Geographic Endurance deserves big applause as they work tirelessly to ensure all guests are happy. They are quick to learn the guests’ first names and address them as such, preceded by a “Sir”, “Ma’am”, or “Miss”. Lindblad’s mission of responsible exploration and its partnership with National Geographic further lend credibility to the National Geographic Endurance as a top pick for intrepid travelers looking for a rewarding experience.

Where does National Geographic Quest sail from?

Plus, it features a small but inviting spa and a fitness center that is large for a ship of this size. With a capacity of just 100 guests, Venture allows for navigation into narrower channels and smaller ports. Landings by zodiac are used for hiking access, but the zodiacs often function more as small vessels in search of wildlife and local features. The Category 6 junior suite, located on the Bridge Deck, can be configured with two single beds or one double bed. The spacious junior suite features a slender privacy wall with TVs on either side, a separate vanity area, convertible sleeper sofa, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet with ample storage. Category 5 cabins, located on the Bridge Deck, can be configured with two single beds or one double bed.

Lindblad Expeditions bringing enhanced Internet connectivity with Spacex’s Starlink

That isn't the case with bigger expedition ships that often carry at least 200 and sometimes even 400 or 500 people. Our day of walking atop fast ice in Lallemand Fjord came fewer than 72 hours after departing Ushuaia, Argentina, the hub for most Antarctica-bound expedition cruise vessels. As its name suggests, the Expedition Deck is home to the equipment and amenities needed for exploration off ship. Two restaurants provide meal service, with 270˚ (named for the expansive views it offers diners) serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while C. Green’s (named after Ernest Shackleton’s cook) is open for early risers’ breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Meal times vary slightly from day to day as they are scheduled around expedition activities.

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There is a mudroom with lockers providing storage for boots, thus saving space in cabins. MS Explorer (aka "Nat Geo Explorer") is an expedition vessel designed especially for operations in the polar regions. The ship is perfectly suited for cruising expeditions, carrying wet suits, diving/snorkeling gear, underwater cameras, kayaks, glass-bottom boat and a fleet of Zodiacs. The ship's ROV (remotely operated vehicle) can dive to 1000 ft / 305 m sea depth.

9 new cruise itineraries for 2024 - National Geographic

9 new cruise itineraries for 2024.

Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The ship has powerful engines that let it travel at more than 16 knots even in rough seas — several knots more than is typical for most expedition vessels. While all categories accommodate two guests, Category 5 cabins can accommodate up to 3 people. All are equipped with climate control, an expedition command center—including tablets, multiple electrical and USB outlets, a TV, barometer, a National Geographic Atlas, and more—a mini refrigerator, small safe, and robes. Bathrooms are outfitted with a rain shower and directional showerhead, botanically inspired products, and a hair dryer. Enjoy luxury linens and pillows, as well as complimentary insulated water bottles. Some Lindblad vessels are all-inclusive for beverages and gratuities, but National Geographic Quest is not.

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In addition, Resolution boasts both a rear-facing marina and side doors at the waterline for loading passengers into Zodiacs — a redundancy that gives the ship an edge in running Zodiac operations amid wind and waves. Many expedition vessels have either a marina or side doors, but not both. Normally, an expedition cruise vessel heading to Antarctica might not reach the Lemaire Channel and Petermann Island until three or four days into the trip. But with an ability to travel at nearly 17 knots, National Geographic Resolution had reached them far faster.

National Geographic Quest - user reviews and comments

Younger guests interact with naturalists and engage in age-appropriate activities. As of 2024, all alcoholic beverages except premium brands will be included in the guest fare. Because the nature and theme of Lindblad voyages is discovery and enrichment, many passengers are college educated, professionals or academics seeking intellectually stimulating interpretation during their travels. You may find yourself chatting at dinner with a college professor or retired judge.

Included with your cruise fare:

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For those so inclined some of the hikes during the voyage are rated as aerobic. A compact fitness room offers a variety of machines and weights to keep any guest in shape during a cruise on Venture. The fitness room has many windows so working out while viewing nature makes for a good combination.

National Geographic Explorer now roams the world, offering expedition cruises in the Polar regions and cultural enrichment sailings in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas. Lindblad and its partner, National Geographic, provide a top team of 14 naturalists, historians and photographers who cruise aboard Explorer. Some have been with Lindblad for years, and they, along with two highly experienced captains, aim to get the ship as close to wildlife as is warranted and give passengers the unique experiences they crave. A cruise on National Geographic Explorer does not come cheap, but you are paying for one of the best expedition offerings with respect to the standard of ship, the number and experience of the staff and the excellent organization. National Geographic Resolution's 69 cabins and suites have the same clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced decor as its public venues and feature lots of cleverly designed storage spaces that come in handy on longer Antarctica sailings.

While most passengers like to dress resort casual in the evening, Orion has a largely informal, but neat, dress code. It might be wise to pack one smart outfit for the Captain's dinner -- perhaps shirts, ties and jackets for men and dressy blouses for ladies. Most of the crew who'd worked for the ship under its Orion ownership have stayed on with Lindblad.

The real entertainment on Venture is scenery, nature and lectures by onboard experts. Daily briefings of the area along with topical lectures by experts in their fields happen several times per day. We have always facilitated research projects, and now National Geographic Resolution provides a ‘lab’ for researchers needing to stretch grant dollars to get to key sites and do their vital work.

We started our crisp and sunny morning with a ride into the boat basin at Sacajawea Historical State Park. The park is home to the October 16-17, 1805 campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and also the Confluence Project Story Circles installed by the acclaimed artist, Maya Lin. As this is a Food and Wine expedition, we departed for Dunham Cellars, with some passengers going to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. This is the scene of the tragic 1847 encounter between the missionaries and local natives. The setting for all our activities was at the base of the Blue Mountains, which was lush with the growth of spring.

National Geographic Resolution is one of two nearly identical vessels that Lindblad Expeditions has unveiled in quick succession. The other, the 126-passenger National Geographic Endurance, also has debuted in recent months and is sailing in Antarctica. The result is that passengers on smaller ships in Antarctica get to see far more wildlife and scenery up close than passengers on bigger ships.

Of all cabins, 22 are with small private step-out balconies (with floor-ceiling sliding doors) and 12 (6 pairs) are connecting cabins (via internal doorway access) allowing families to combine 2 adjacent rooms. When Powell, the expedition leader, realized the humpback whales would be sticking around for a while, he was able to make a quick call to put down the Zodiacs to get us out among them. Every day brought something a little different as we stopped at a wide variety of sites. At Neko Harbor, a picture-perfect, mountain-lined bay flanked by a glacier calving into the sea, we landed by Zodiac late one evening to marvel at large numbers of gentoo penguins.

Not so much from a fashion sense but from a practical point of view for the environmental conditions expected. In the tropics, cool, light and sun smart is the key with long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats and walking shoes and water-friendly sandals like Tevas, Crocs or Keens. In cooler destinations, a beanie, fleece and waterproof spray jackets and pants are de rigueur. You'll find most guests will dress informally in brand name adventure wear, even for dinner. Neat and practical is more important than showy, so you can safely leave the sequins at home.

There are also 12 large suites located on the top of the ship below the outdoor deck. There are plenty of tables with chairs, bench-style seats, and cushioned loungers. Two infinity-style hot tubs and two igloo lounging pods overlook the back of the ship. The wraparound deck with sections cantilevering over the water provides terrific viewing options.

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