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.

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)

7-day one-way from Sitka to Seattle (prices from USD 7600 pp)

7-day one-way from Seattle to Sitka (prices from USD 7600 pp)

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.