National Geographic Quest
Former name: Nat Geo Quest
Cruise line
Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Quest current position
National Geographic Quest current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 9.35174 N / -79.90974 W) cruising en route to CRISTOBAL 8E. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.
All Itineraries Current PositionCurrent itinerary of National Geographic Quest
National Geographic Quest current cruise is 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City. Prices start from USD 7101 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 07 Dec, 2024 and ends on 14 Dec, 2024.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
07 Dec | Departing from Puntarenas, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica hotels |
07 Dec | Puntarenas, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica |
09 Dec | Herradura, Los Suenos, Costa Rica |
10 Dec | Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica |
11 Dec | Coiba Island Panama |
12 Dec - 13 Dec | Panama Canal |
14 Dec | Colon, Panama |
14 Dec | Arriving in Panama City, Fuerte Amador, Balboa hotels |
Specifications of National Geographic Quest
Year of build | 2017 / Age: 7 |
Flag state | USA |
Builder | Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (Freeland, Whidbey Island WA) |
Class | ice-strengthened expedition ship |
Building cost | USD 55 million |
Engines (power) | MTU (2.5 MW / 3353 hp) |
Speed | 12 kn / 22 km/h / 14 mph |
Length (LOA) | 73 m / 240 ft |
Beam (width) | 14 m / 46 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 2920 gt |
Passengers | 50 - 100 |
Crew | 35 |
Decks | 4 |
Cabins | 50 |
Decks with cabins | 3 |
Sister-ships | Nat Geo Venture |
Former names | Nat Geo Quest |
Christened by | tba |
Owner | Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc (via Lindblad Expeditions Holdings LLC) |
Operator | Lindblad National Geographic Cruises (via LEX Quest Ltd) |
National Geographic Quest Itineraries
Date | Itinerary | Departure Port | Price from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 Dec 07 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City | Puntarenas | $7101 |
2024 Dec 14 | 7 days, one-way from Colon to Puntarenas | Colon | $7030 |
2024 Dec 21 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City | Puntarenas | $7858 |
2025 Jan 04 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4780 |
2025 Jan 09 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Colon | Puntarenas | $7707 |
2025 Jan 23 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4780 |
2025 Jan 28 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City | Puntarenas | $7462 |
2025 Feb 11 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4730 |
2025 Feb 16 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Colon | Puntarenas | $7308 |
2025 Mar 02 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4730 |
2025 Mar 07 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Colon | Puntarenas | $7238 |
2025 Apr 28 | 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Wild California Escape Channel Islands National Park Cruise | Los Angeles | $3276 |
2025 May 02 | 4 days, round-trip 4 Night Wild California Escape Channel Islands National Park Cruise | Los Angeles | $3276 |
2025 May 12 | 13 days, one-way from Seattle to Sitka | Seattle | $10465 |
2025 May 25 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $6223 |
2025 Jun 01 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8022 |
2025 Jun 08 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8190 |
2025 Jun 15 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8190 |
2025 Jun 22 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8190 |
2025 Jun 29 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8358 |
2025 Jul 06 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8281 |
2025 Jul 13 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | |
2025 Jul 20 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8449 |
2025 Jul 27 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8449 |
2025 Aug 03 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8274 |
2025 Aug 10 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8274 |
2025 Aug 17 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8106 |
2025 Aug 24 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8106 |
2025 Aug 31 | 7 days, one-way from Sitka to Juneau | Sitka | $8106 |
2025 Sep 07 | 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Sitka | Juneau | $8106 |
2025 Oct 19 | 7 days, one-way from Panama City to Cartagena Colombia | Panama City | $6741 |
2025 Nov 02 | 7 days, one-way from Panama City to Cartagena Colombia | Panama City | $6741 |
2025 Nov 20 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4490 |
2025 Nov 25 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4490 |
2025 Nov 30 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Colon | Puntarenas | $7315 |
2025 Dec 07 | 7 days, one-way from Colon to Panama City | Colon | $7315 |
2025 Dec 14 | 7 days, round-trip 7 Night The Panama Canal Pearl Islands and Darien Jungle Tropical Wonders and Vibrant Cultures Cruise | Panama City | $7315 |
2025 Dec 28 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4490 |
2026 Jan 02 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City | Puntarenas | $7546 |
2026 Jan 09 | 7 days, round-trip 7 Night The Panama Canal Pearl Islands and Darien Jungle Tropical Wonders and Vibrant Cultures Cruise | Panama City | $7539 |
2026 Jan 16 | 7 days, round-trip 7 Night The Panama Canal Pearl Islands and Darien Jungle Tropical Wonders and Vibrant Cultures Cruise | Panama City | $7539 |
2026 Jan 30 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4780 |
2026 Feb 04 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City | Puntarenas | $7462 |
2026 Feb 18 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4685 |
2026 Feb 23 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Colon | Puntarenas | $7392 |
2026 Mar 09 | 5 days, round-trip 5 Night Wild Costa Rica Escape Exploring Guanacastes Natural Wonders Cruise | Puntarenas | $4685 |
2026 Mar 14 | 7 days, one-way from Puntarenas to Panama City | Puntarenas | $7315 |
National Geographic Quest Review
Review of National Geographic Quest
The 2017-built National Geographic Quest cruise ship is one of the new Lindblad-National Geographic vessels, together with the sistership Nat Geo Venture (2018).
The vessel (IMO number 9798985) is currently USA-flagged (MMSI 366945000) and registered in Seattle.
History - construction and ownership
The 100-passenger ship National Geographic Quest is a polar expedition vessel with an ice-strengthened hull, fully-stabilized and with relatively shallow draft (9 ft / 2,7 m) that allows safe navigation regardless of the destination/ region. This is also the first expedition cruise ship built entirely in the USA.
Constructed at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Lindblad Quest is the company's 3rd larger expedition ship. This new fleet of 3 same-design vessels is by the same shipbuilder as Lindblad's long-serving 62-passenger ships Sea Lion and Sea Bird. In comparison, the newbuilds have an extra deck, modern design, new stateroom categories, new facilities and expanded amenities (including mudroom with rows of lockers, snorkeling equipment, and other gear). The ship's ROV (remotely operated vehicle) can dive up to 1000 ft / 305 m depths.
The National Geographic Quest ship is owned and operated by Lindblad Expeditions in cooperation with the National Geographic Society (aka NatGeo - a US non-profit institution for science and education). The partnership that Nat Geo has with the Lindblad Expeditions line enables passengers to enjoy an expedition style small ship travel vacation as active explorers. Lindblad cruise ships sail unique destinations to explore out-of-the-way inlets, making Zodiac landings and looking for wildlife.
Decks and Cabins
National Geographic Quest has 4 decks (3 with cabins) and 50 staterooms.
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.
All category 5 suites accommodate a 3rd person on a convertible sofabed.
Shipboard facilities and amenities
Nat Geo Quest has one Main Dining Room which offers single seating with unassigned tables. Food served aboard is local, fresh and sustainably sourced when possible. When weather conditions allow, light fare is served outside on the observation deck.
Lindblad's “Open Bridge” policy allows passengers 24-hour access (depending on weather conditions) to the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge to meet and converse with the ship's officers on duty and the Captain.
Ideally suited for sea expeditions, the ship carries wet suits, snorkeling gear, underwater cameras, hydrophone, a glass-bottom boat, 24 sea kayaks, paddle boards, a fleet of Mark V Zodiacs and even a video microscope. The ship is also equipped with a bow-cam for bow deployment to listen and record marine animals, for example, humpback whale vocalizations and dolphins. Every voyage is accompanied by a full-time doctor, photo instructor, video chronicler, wellness and undersea specialists. Internet access is available shipwide.
Nat Geo Quest public areas include an intimate covered deck with chairs, tables, and hammocks; a fitness center; spa; global gallery; library; doctor’s office; lounge with bar and facilities for slide shows, presentations, and films.
Itineraries
Nat Geo Quest's itinerary program is based on Alaskan cruises and coastal Pacific Northwest voyages to ports in USA and Canada (British Columbia) during summer. During winter, the ship operates on cruises to Baja California, Sea of Cortez, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala.
In Pacific North America, the ship cruises to Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia, also visiting San Juan Islands (USA) and Gulf Islands (Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada). The Alaskan cruise program includes itineraries with departures from Seattle WA and Vancouver BC.
National Geographic Quest ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions bringing enhanced Internet connectivity with Spacex’s Starlink
Lindblad Expeditions announced the beginning of the roll-out of Starlink - SpaceX’s high-speed, low-latency broadband internet. With the...
May 25, 2023 - Cruise Industry
VIDEO: Lindblad to have all 4 of its USA-flagged ships in Alaska (May-September 2022)
After bringing 3,000+ guests to Alaska last year, Lindblad Expeditions is now heading towards another successful cruise season in 2022. According to...
January 31, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions resume Alaska and Galapagos cruises in June
Lindblad Expeditions announced they planned to resume operations for the 2021 cruise season in Alaska and Galapagos Islands in June. In keeping with...
March 31, 2021 - Cruise Industry
VIDEO: National Geographic Quest Launches June 26
Lindblad Expeditions reported that it was in the “home stretch” of construction for its newest expedition cruise ship, National...
May 16, 2017 - show more news
Other Lindblad Expeditions cruise ships
National Geographic Quest Wiki
Ship's Inaugural Alaskan season 2017 included several 7-day "Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness" themed cruises (departures on Saturdays) between July 8 and August 26. After Alaska, the ship operated in the Pacific Northwest on itineraries between Seattle WA and Vancouver BC.
In December 2017, Lindblad Quest ship was repositioned for cruises to Costa Rica and Panama. Since February 2018, the ship started a new set of itineraries visiting ports in Belize and Guatemala.
NAT GEO Quest has installed Fleet Xpress - fast Internet connectivity provided by Inmarsat (owner and operator of a global satellite network). Fleet Xpress is fully integrated with the boat's phone system (PABX) and comm platforms.
Nat Geo Quest has max draft 3,8 m (12 ft) and a powerplant based on MTU marine diesel engines (model 12V4000) with total output 2450 kW. The vessel (yard/hull number S188) was constructed by Nichols Bros Boat Builders in Freeland WA (USA).
Inaugural itineraries 2017
The ship's Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) was scheduled for June 26, 2017 - a 13-day Alaskan itinerary (themed "Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia"). The ship was supposed to spend a day in the San Juan Islands (located between mainland USA and Vancouver Island / BC Canada) and another day in the Gulf Islands (located in Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada) before heading north to Alaska. Early booking cruise rates started from USD 9,390 per person (double-occupancy category 1 cabin rates).
However, due to a launch accident, the maiden voyage and the following 2 cruises were canceled. The vessel was grounded during its launch at Nichols Brothers shipbuilding yard (Freeland, Whidbey Island, Washington). Lindblad's official statement was that the vessel slid off the launch ramp improperly, resulting in damaged propeller and rudder, and drydocking for full repairs.
The canceled departure dates were June 26 (inaugural), July 8 and July 15. Passengers booked on the maiden voyage were notified and offered an alternative switch to another date (with 50% reduction on the cost of the rescheduled cruise) or the option to cancel the booking (with a full refund, plus USD 2,000 pp onboard credit towards future cruise). The following tables show the 3 canceled itineraries.
12 nights / 13 days, one-way from Seattle to Sitka (prices from USD 10840 pp)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
27 Jun | Departing from Seattle, Washington |
28 Jun | Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington |
29 Jun | At Sea (Gulf Islands) |
30 Jun | Alert Bay, Cormorant Island, BC Canada |
01 Jul | Inside Passage, Alaska |
02 Jul | Inside Passage, Alaska |
03 Jul | Misty Fjords, Alaska |
04 Jul | Petersburg, Mitkof Island, Alaska |
05 Jul | Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska |
06 Jul | Glacier Bay, Alaska |
07 Jul | Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska |
08 Jul | Chichagof Island, Alaska |
09 Jul | Arriving in Sitka, Baranof Island, Alaska |
7-day one-way from Sitka to Seattle (prices from USD 7600 pp)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
09 Jul | Departing from Sitka (flight) |
10 Jul | Admiralty Island, Alaska |
11 Jul | Chichagof Island, Alaska |
12 Jul | Glacier Bay, Alaska |
13 Jul | Frederick Sound, Alaska |
13 Jul | Chatham Strait, Alaska |
14 Jul | Petersburg, Mitkof Island, Alaska |
15 Jul | Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska |
16 Jul | Juneau, Alaska |
16 Jul | Arriving in Seattle (flight) |
7-day one-way from Seattle to Sitka (prices from USD 7600 pp)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
16 Jul | Departing from Seattle (flight) |
16 Jul | Departing from Juneau, Alaska |
17 Jul | Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska |
18 Jul | Petersburg, Mitkof Island, Alaska |
19 Jul | Frederick Sound, Alaska |
19 Jul | Chatham Strait, Alaska |
20 Jul | Glacier Bay, Alaska |
21 Jul | Chichagof Island, Alaska |
22 Jul | Admiralty Island, Alaska |
23 Jul | Arriving in Sitka (flight) |
Nat Geo Quest officially started operations with the inaugural cruise on July 29, 2017 (Saturday departure from Juneau AK). The 8-day voyage (themed "Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness") was part of ship's Southeast Alaska program (through August 26, 2017). Following the Alaskan season, the boat started Pacific Northwest itineraries between Seattle WA and Vancouver BC, visiting San Juan Islands (Washington. USA), Alert Bay (Cormorant Island, BC Canada), Victoria BC.
During the drydock in January 2019, the ship received an equipment package including FURUNO VOYAGER (IBS / Integrated Bridge System), new radars (models FAR3210 and FAR3220), two FMD-3200 ECDIS (multifunction consoles), GPS and AIS, GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), VDR (Voyage Data Recorder), DOPPLER SPEED LOG DS-80 system.