Name: National Geographic Quest
Brand: Lindblad Expeditions

At a glance

National Geographic Quest is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions, in service since 2017. It carries 100 guests and 35 crew (2.9 guests per crew member) at 2,906 gross tons. It ties with 1 other ship as the 5th largest of 19 Lindblad Expeditions ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for active and adventure & nature (10/10) and lowest for dining, entertainment, party, spa & fitness and staterooms (5/10). It is rated 4 out of 5 by Cruiseable.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable: 4 / 5

Guests: 100
Crew: 35
Gross tons: 2,906
Decks: 4
Length: 238 ft
Beam: 45 ft
Maiden voyage: 2017
Refurbished: 2017
Space ratio: 2.9; Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew: 2.9
Speed (mph): 14
IMO: 9798985

Bliss scores

What National Geographic Quest is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

Active 10.0
Adventure and nature 10.0
Cultural 7.0
Dining 5.0
Entertainment 5.0
Family friendly 6.0
Party 5.0
Romantic 7.0
Spa and fitness 5.0
Staterooms 5.0

Our review

National Geographic Quest: Newest addition to Lindblad fleet

National Geographic Quest is the newest addition to the Lindblad Expeditions fleet after her maiden sailing out of Seattle on July 29, 2017.

This fully stabilized vessel was designed to navigate narrow inlets and wildlife-rich passageways inaccessible to larger ships, while accommodating 100 guests in 50 outside cabins. Along with spacious viewing decks, this nimble vessel will carry innovative exploration tools, including a SplashCam and a hydrophone to enable passengers to look and listen beneath the waves.

The public spaces provide maximum viewing opportunities with easy, quick access to the decks for sightings. Public areas include a lounge with a full-service bar and facilities for film, slide shows and presentations; a dining room; an observation deck; a partially covered sun deck with chairs; a global gallery; and a spa. There will be an outdoor walkway around the entire sun deck, which will feature an al fresco bar and grill, in addition to the main restaurant and a bar and lounge area that will host presentations. All meals are served in a single seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling.

The $48 million ship comes equipped with Zodiacs, snorkeling gear, exercise equipment and a wide range of cameras to record the surrounding wildlife. Guests also can make use of 24 sea kayaks, paddleboards and landing craft on board. A photo instructor, a video chronicler, an undersea specialist and a wellness specialist will accompany every voyage. Internet access and an elevator are available on board.

Where National Geographic Quest sails

National Geographic Quest sails Panama and Costa Rica and, starting in the spring, Columbia and Snake rivers, British Columbia, the San Juan Islands in Washington state and Alaska's coastal wilderness.

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Highlights of the ship

The ship is the first in the fleet to offer step-out balconies on 22 of the 50 staterooms onboard. Another first is new connecting cabins that cater to families and groups. There is also a designated mudroom for expedition gear.

The ship offers an onboard spa, a fitness center, stretch classes on the sundeck, a bar and more.

Quest is larger than the Sea Bird and the Sea Lion but it also has the same shallow draft that will allow it to navigate shallower passageways and provide the same intimate experience that the smaller ships allow for.

Your take

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Interested in a cruise on this ship?

Interested in a cruise on National Geographic Quest? Contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773, or by email, to get additional information and to find the best rates and value for your vacation dollar.

SEE ALL QUEST SAILINGS

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 12

Brightly colored toucans can be spotted throughout Panama.
Bear Track Mountain, part of the pristine scenery of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska.
The Sitka black-tailed deer, a subspecies of mule deer, spotted on the outskirts of Sitka.
Take a walk on the beautiful coasts of Hornsund on Spitsbergen island in Svalbard, Norway, during your Lindblad expedition.
See a majestic bald eagle during a Lindblad Expedition visit of Baranof Island, Alaska.
A large brown bear wades into a stream in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.
Kayak the beautiful waters of Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, on a Lindblad expedition.
A humpback whale surfaces to greet visitors on a Lindblad Expeditions excursion.
A brown bear pays little heed to visitors during a Lindblad Expeditions visit to Kelp Bay, Alaska.
A family of killer whales surfaces in the Johnstone Strait in Vancouver during a Lindblad Expeditions tour.
A waterfall streams down Dawes Glacier at William's Cove in Alaska.
While on a hike of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, see a brown bear as it hunts for salmon.