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My room was one of the few cabins on the bottom deck, near the lounge and dining hall. It had two twin-sized beds, a bathroom with a toilet and stand-up shower, and a sink just outside the bathroom. The National Geographic Quest is the perfect ship to explore from the northern reaches of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, the National Geographic Quest is the first expedition ship of its kind to be made entirely in the U.S.
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But if money were no object, I wouldn't hesitate to take another Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic cruise to explore a new destination, like Portugal or Iceland. While seeing the glaciers felt magical, I was also left with a sense of sadness knowing that I might never see these ice structures in the same way, as glaciers are rapidly receding as a result of climate change. The Dawes glacier, which we visited on the Zodiacs, has retreated 3.8 kilometers since 1985, at a rate of 105 meters per year, according to the American Geophysical Union. The Mendenhall Glacier, which we visited in Juneau, has receded 800 feet just between 2021 and 2022, according to Juneau's KTOO News.
Overnight River Boat Cruising In Canada On A Classic Small Ship — The Canadian Empress
Although I haven't been on other cruise ships to compare, I enjoyed the small-ship atmosphere of this cruise. I appreciated that the limited number of passengers allowed everyone to spend time with the naturalists and experts, and made the excursions feel more personal and inclusive. Between the animal sightings, group excursions, and educational sessions, the trip gave me a greater appreciation for Alaska's wildlife and landscape, plus a renewed enthusiasm for nature photography. The cruise was on the National Geographic Sea Bird, a small ship with 31 cabins.
Focus on Photography
One of my favorite on-shore trips was when we docked in Haines, Alaska, and had the choice of an airplane ride, cycling, rafting, or a tundra trek. These smaller rafts allowed us to see animals like bears, whales, and otters up close. On our first Zodiac excursion, I watched a brown bear and two cubs cross over a small waterfall while plucking salmon from the water, less than 20 yards from our boat. I was also eager to learn from the resident researchers and scientists on the ship who are known as naturalists, and who would guide and educate us throughout the trip. The Within the Wild luxury Alaska adventure brings travelers into the Alaskan backcountry without sacrificing comfort. Enjoy remarkable helicopter- and floatplane-assisted adventures, hiking, sportfishing and a wellness program with massage and yoga.
Led by our Expedition Team of naturalists and experts, learn all about the nature and wildlife we encounter. Learn about the living indigenous culture of the region from the Kwakwaka'wakw people; explore the charming provincial capital of Victoria; and sail the waters where orcas gather to hunt in Johnstone Strait. In terms of other Alaska cruises, there are more frugal ways to plan a trip, and you can find cheaper rates on routes in the Sitka region with carriers like Carnival, as of May 2023. However, if you're willing to splurge, I think the wildlife excursions, nature experiences, and connection with naturalists and National Geographic experts are worth the price. There were four naturalists on my cruise, with specialties ranging from geology to undersea studies, as well as one National Geographic photographer.
National Geographic Venture Deck Plan
Visit the Totem Heritage Center to view a unique collection of 19th-century Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian totem poles from abandoned villages around Ketchikan before embarking the ship. Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, in the early afternoon and embark the ship in time for cocktails and an introduction of the vessel staff and crew. (Cabin doors can be locked from the inside, but guests do not receive room keys.) A bit unsure about the policy when embarking, I was a quick convert, and enjoyed not having to worry about carrying or losing a key. Still a good 9 miles from Dawes Glacier, the massive chunks of ice strewn across Endicott Arm made it clear the National Geographic Venture could not go any further. This was the first Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic ship to sail into Alaska for the 2023 season, and Venture’s knowledgeable crew — rich with scientists and naturalists — were undaunted by Mother Nature’s roadblock. We walked through old-growth forests dwarfed by stately trees and met locals in places like Victoria, Alert Bay, Petersburg, and Sitka.
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Explorer Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Explorer Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 14 Jul 2023 01:59:38 GMT [source]
Atlas Ocean Voyages ANTARCTICA Review Of World Traveller By Reader Sheryl Rowling From USA — Not A Happy Camper
I followed my advice, knowing we had very few ports of call and that catching up to National Geographic Venture would be near impossible. No matter how often I have explored the Last Frontier, I am ready to return. What could be more interesting than exploring the Inside Passage of Alaska and British Columbia with Lindblad Expeditions? Lindblad partners with National Geographic to immerse guests in this wondrous area. Back on the ship, the National Geographic photographer helped select my best pictures and gave me advice to improve my shooting. He also suggested cropping some of my photos to eliminate a distracting background and draw a viewer's eyes to the subject more easily.
With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. National Geographic Sea Bird accommodates just 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Having sailed on other expeditions cruises sans apologies, I knew what to expect. I found the experts extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy while at the same time entertaining.
The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique. Gratuities for all departures of National Geographic Explorer, Orion, Endurance, Resolution, Sea Cloud, Jahan and Lord of the Glens. More than simply recreational travel, Lindblad is known for its emphasis on natural history. Topics of onboard presentations ranged from the impact of climate change on Alaska to insight into whale behaviors and wildlife photography tips. Zodiacs dropped into the frigid water and Venture’s 61 guests were invited to spend the morning navigating the dramatic landscape. Any disappointment from not being able to reach the face of the glacier quickly evaporated, thanks to what naturalists described as an unheard of parade of “charismatic megafauna,” or wildlife.
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While I had fun on every experience, including the trek, most of the excursions felt leisurely and left me wanting a more of a thrill. Although I can't compare my cabin with others as this was my first cruise, the room felt small to me since there wasn't much floor space. Still, I thought it was comfortable, and as a solo traveler, I was glad to have the entire room to myself.
We ventured into inlets, searched for sea life, and hoped for calving glaciers. We saw bears, moose, whales, sea lions, porpoises, puffins, and a variety of birds. Breakfast came as a buffet with a special dish usually offered each morning. New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips. This 14-day itinerary between Seattle, Washington, and Sitka, Alaska, is an educational voyage aboard 100-guest sister ships National Geographic Quest or Venture.
From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff. Enjoy active exploration amid a dramatic scenery of mountains, fjords, rivers and glaciers along the Inside Passage of Alaska and British Columbia.
Following the recaps, the passengers and crew spent time in the lounge getting to know each other and chatting about our days. I appreciated these recaps as a refresher on the day, and as a nice chance to bond with my fellow shipmates. After dinner each day, everyone on board gathered in the common lounge for drinks and dessert. As an amateur photographer, I was especially looking forward to having the professional National Geographic photographer onboard, who would lead guided photo walks to share tips for photographing wildlife.
Spend 3-4 nights at a remote backcountry lodge situated 90 miles inside Denali National Park. Unbeatable wildlife viewing, landscape photography, guided hikes, fishing, dog sleds and an Alaska railroad ride can be customized to complement any Alaska small ship cruise. Compare and contrast the various Lindblad Alaska cruises and ships from an expert who's been aboard. Learn what stands out about Lindblad's Alaska programming, guides and crew.
I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles. Our knowledgeable and passionate expedition team is complemented by our dedicated hotel team who strives to ensure that your time on board is as comfortable and rewarding as your time on shore. A typical conversation starter asked how many Lindblad cruises we had been on.
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