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Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic Sea Bird

Intimate ship Bliss scored

National Geographic Sea Bird can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to their small size, yet each comfortably accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. The feeling, we're told, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, with everyone…

  • 62guests
  • 630gross tons
  • 4cruises now
  • $7,395fares from

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Retrace Lewis & Clark's western journey during a trip on National Geographic Sea Bird.

At a glance

National Geographic Sea Bird is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions, in service since 1982. It carries 62 guests and 24 crew (2.6 guests per crew member) at 630 gross tons. It ties with 1 other ship as the 9th largest of 16 Lindblad Expeditions ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for active and adventure & nature (10/10) and lowest for party (0/10). It is rated 3.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 2 out of 5 by Berlitz and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 4 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $7,395 to $7,480.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
3.5 / 5
Berlitz
2 / 5
Cruise Critic
4 / 5
Guests
62
Crew
24
Gross tons
630
Decks
3
Length
152 ft
Beam
33 ft
Maiden voyage
1982
Refurbished
2014
Space ratio
2.6
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
2.6
IMO
8966444

Bliss scores

What National Geographic Sea Bird 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.

  1. Active 10.0
  2. Adventure and nature 10.0
  3. Cultural 7.0
  4. Dining 5.0
  5. Entertainment 4.3
  6. Family friendly 6.0
  7. Party 0.0
  8. Romantic 6.0
  9. Spa and fitness 8.0
  10. Staterooms 6.0

Our review

National Geographic Sea Bird: Built to see wildlife

National Geographic Sea Bird from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is designed to navigate narrow inlets and wildlife-rich passageways inaccessible to larger ships, while comfortably accommodating 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Along with spacious viewing decks, this nimble vessel carries innovative exploration tools, including a SplashCam and a hydrophone that enable passengers to look and listen beneath the waves.

Public areas include a lounge with a full-service bar and facilities for film, slide shows and presentations; a dining room; a library; an observation deck; a partially covered sun deck with chairs and tables; a gift shop; and a spa. All meals are served in a single seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling.

The ship (like her sister ship National Geographic Sea Lion) is equipped with Zodiacs and kayaks, snorkeling gear, exercise equipment and a wide range of cameras to record the surrounding wildlife. A full-time doctor, a photo instructor, a video chronicler and a wellness specialist accompany every voyage. Internet access and laundry service are available on board. All cabins have a window with an outside view, private facilities and climate controls.

Where National Geographic Sea Bird sails

The Sea Bird sails to Alaska, the Northwest United States, and Baja Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.

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Your take

Have you sailed on National Geographic Sea Bird? Did the ship live up to your expectations? We'd love to hear your take and see your photos.

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Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on National Geographic Sea Bird, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. We can usually offer a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL SEA BIRD SAILINGS

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 12

  • A pretty tropical bird spotted amid wildflowers in Panama.
    A pretty tropical bird spotted amid wildflowers in Panama.
  • A dad and child take in the historic Mira Flores Locks as a Lindblad Expeditions vessel passes through the Panama Canal.
    A dad and child take in the historic Mira Flores Locks as a Lindblad Expeditions vessel passes through the Panama Canal.
  • An endangered Central America tree frog spotted on a Lindblad Expeditions journey.
    An endangered Central America tree frog spotted on a Lindblad Expeditions journey.
  • A colorful parrot spotted in Costa Rica.
    A colorful parrot spotted in Costa Rica.
  • Kayakers on a Lindblad Expeditions trip to Central America.
    Kayakers on a Lindblad Expeditions trip to Central America.
  • See a majestic bald eagle during a Lindblad Expedition visit of Baranof Island, Alaska.
    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.
    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.
    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 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 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 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.
    A waterfall streams down Dawes Glacier at William's Cove in Alaska.

More photos 4

  • Retrace Lewis & Clark's western journey during a trip on National Geographic Sea Bird.
    Retrace Lewis & Clark's western journey during a trip on National Geographic Sea Bird.
  • Visit the historic Lewis & Clark site of Multnomah Falls near the Columbia River with Lindblad Expeditions.
    Visit the historic Lewis & Clark site of Multnomah Falls near the Columbia River with Lindblad Expeditions.
  • Visit the Columbia River Gorge and take in the beautiful sights during a Lindblad Expeditions tour of Lewis & Clark sites.
    Visit the Columbia River Gorge and take in the beautiful sights during a Lindblad Expeditions tour of Lewis & Clark sites.
  • National Geographic Sea Bird sails to Alaska, the Northwest United States, and Baja Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.
    National Geographic Sea Bird sails to Alaska, the Northwest United States, and Baja Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.

Sailing now

Cruises on National Geographic Sea Bird

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  1. 7 Night Columbia and Snake Rivers Food Wine and History 7 nights · from Portland Next Sep 19, 2026 3 dates from $7,395
  2. 7 Night Columbia and Snake Rivers Food Wine and History 7 nights · from Clarkston Next Sep 26, 2026 3 dates from $7,480
  3. 5 Night Baja California Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay 5 nights · from Loreto Next Jan 26, 2027 6 dates Fare on request
  4. 5 Night Baja California Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay 5 nights · from San Carlos Next Jan 31, 2027 4 dates Fare on request

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