National Geographic Quest

The 2017-built National Geographic Quest cruise ship is one of the new Lindblad–National Geographic vessels, together with her sistership National Geographic Venture (2018).

The vessel (IMO number 9798985) is currently USA-flagged (MMSI 366945000) and registered in Seattle.

History – construction and ownership

The 100-passenger National Geographic Quest is a polar expedition ship with an ice-strengthened hull, full stabilization, and a relatively shallow draft (9 ft / 2.7 m) that allows safe navigation in a wide range of destinations and regions. She is also the first expedition cruise ship built entirely in the USA.

Constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, National Geographic Quest is Lindblad’s third larger expedition vessel. This new series of three same-design ships is built by the same yard that produced Lindblad’s long-serving 62-passenger vessels Sea Lion and Sea Bird. Compared to the older ships, the newbuilds feature an additional deck, modern design, new stateroom categories, upgraded facilities, and expanded amenities (including a mudroom with lockers, snorkeling equipment, and expedition gear). The ship’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle) can dive to depths of up to 1000 ft / 305 m.

National Geographic Quest is owned and operated by Lindblad Expeditions in partnership with the National Geographic Society (NatGeo), a US-based nonprofit dedicated to science and education. This collaboration enables guests to experience expedition-style small-ship travel as active explorers. Lindblad vessels visit remote regions, explore secluded inlets, conduct Zodiac landings, and focus heavily on wildlife observation.

Decks and Cabins

National Geographic Quest has 4 decks (3 with cabins) and 50 staterooms.

Among the accommodations, 22 feature small private step-out balconies (with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors). A total of 12 cabins (6 pairs) are interconnected via internal doorways, allowing families to combine two adjacent rooms.

All category 5 suites can accommodate a third guest on a convertible sofabed.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

National Geographic Quest has one Main Dining Room offering single-seating meals at unassigned tables. Cuisine onboard is fresh, locally inspired, and sustainably sourced whenever possible. In good weather, light meals are also served outdoors on the Observation Deck.

Lindblad’s “Open Bridge” policy allows passengers to visit the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge (subject to weather and operations), meet the ship’s officers, and speak with the Captain.

Purpose-built for expedition cruising, the vessel carries wet suits, snorkeling gear, underwater cameras, a hydrophone, a glass-bottom boat, 24 sea kayaks, paddleboards, a fleet of Mark V Zodiacs, and a video microscope. She is also equipped with a bow camera for deploying a hydrophone to record marine life, such as humpback whale vocalizations and dolphin sounds. Each voyage is accompanied by a full-time doctor, a photo instructor, a video chronicler, and wellness and undersea specialists. Internet access is available shipwide.

Public areas include a covered deck with seating and hammocks, a fitness center, spa, Global Gallery, library, doctor’s office, and a lounge with bar and facilities for presentations, films, and slide shows.

Itineraries

National Geographic Quest’s itinerary program is centered on Alaska and the coastal Pacific Northwest during summer, with voyages to ports in the USA and Canada (British Columbia). During winter, she operates itineraries in Baja California, the Sea of Cortez, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala.

In Pacific North America, the ship sails through the Inside Passage of Alaska and British Columbia, also visiting the San Juan Islands (USA) and the Gulf Islands (Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada). The Alaskan cruise program includes departures from Seattle WA and Vancouver BC.

The ship’s inaugural Alaskan season in 2017 included a series of 7-day “Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness” cruises (Saturday departures) between July 8 and August 26. After Alaska, the vessel operated in the Pacific Northwest on itineraries between Seattle WA and Vancouver BC.

In December 2017, National Geographic Quest was repositioned for Costa Rica and Panama voyages. Beginning in February 2018, she introduced new itineraries featuring ports in Belize and Guatemala.

National Geographic Quest is equipped with Fleet Xpress, a high-speed Internet service provided by Inmarsat (operator of a global satellite network). Fleet Xpress is fully integrated with the ship’s phone system (PABX) and communications platforms.

National Geographic Quest has a maximum draft of 3.8 m (12 ft) and is powered by MTU marine diesel engines (model 12V4000) with a total output of 2,450 kW. The vessel (yard/hull number S188) was built by Nichols Brothers 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 Alaska itinerary themed “Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia.” The route included a full day in the San Juan Islands (between mainland USA and Vancouver Island, BC) and another day in the Gulf Islands (Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada) before heading north to Alaska. Early booking rates started at USD 9,390 per person (double-occupancy, category 1 cabins).

However, due to a launch accident, the maiden voyage and the following two cruises were canceled. The vessel was grounded during launch at the Nichols Brothers shipyard (Freeland, Whidbey Island, Washington). According to Lindblad’s official statement, the ship slid improperly off the launch ramp, damaging her propeller and rudder and requiring drydocking for repairs.

The canceled departure dates were June 26 (inaugural), July 8, and July 15. Guests booked on the maiden voyage were notified and offered either a rebooking (with a 50% reduction on the new cruise fare) or a full refund plus a USD 2,000 per person onboard credit toward a future voyage. The following tables show the three canceled itineraries.

12 nights / 13 days, one-way from Seattle to Sitka (prices from USD 10,840 pp)

7-day one-way from Sitka to Seattle (prices from USD 7,600 pp)

7-day one-way from Seattle to Sitka (prices from USD 7,600 pp)

National Geographic Quest officially entered service with her inaugural cruise on July 29, 2017 (Saturday departure from Juneau, AK). The 8-day itinerary, themed “Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness,” was part of the ship’s Southeast Alaska program (through August 26, 2017). Following the Alaskan season, the vessel began operating Pacific Northwest itineraries between Seattle WA and Vancouver BC, visiting the San Juan Islands (Washington, USA), Alert Bay (Cormorant Island, BC), and Victoria BC.

During her drydock in January 2019, the ship received a full equipment upgrade, including FURUNO VOYAGER (IBS / Integrated Bridge System), new radars (models FAR3210 and FAR3220), two FMD-3200 ECDIS multifunction consoles, GPS and AIS systems, GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), VDR (Voyage Data Recorder), and a DOPPLER SPEED LOG DS-80.