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By the photographers and naturalists who lead Recap in the ships’ lounges. To Sven Lindblad himself, whose ‘Circle of Truth’ podium is at the center of the lounge and the heart of the expedition community. Nat Geo Quest has one Main Dining Room which offers single seating with unassigned tables.
( National Geographic Resolution Itineraries
Today, Nat Geo Explorer is an expedition cruise ship designed to easily navigate in remote areas, specifically in the polar regions. 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).
National Geographic Explorer current position
If you are looking to explore the world’s most remote regions with a seasoned industry expert, an immersive expedition program, and a ship with the utmost comfort, this small but mighty vessel definitely checks all the boxes. Originally constructed for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, she ferried passengers among the fjords of this iconic coast in conditions that could deteriorate into heavy seas in a matter of minutes. She had to be able to handle deep swells and towering waves—and have a high degree of maneuverability. Those traits, and an ideal size, made her a natural choice for addition to the Lindblad fleet.
Key cruising tips
Since February 2018, the ship started a new set of itineraries visiting ports in Belize and Guatemala. 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.
The hotel team made sure no one went hungry, as we enjoyed meals outside in the fresh air. The day ended with a spectacular sunset with everyone in attendance on the bow of the ship. The second 8-day itinerary is a one-way cruise from Ushuaia Argentina (where they board the ship), follow two days (through the Drake Passage) to reach Antarctica and five days of cruising. The voyage ends on King George Island, from where tourists are ferried via a charter flight homeward. The 162-passenger ship Nat Geo Explorer 1 is an expedition vessel able to reach the most remote shores of our planet while offering a first-rate onboard experience.
Decks and Cabins
A nice touch is having expedition team members join guests at meal times so they could get to know everyone on a personal level. The least expensive cabin categories are located on the lowest deck and offer ocean views with two large windows. Balcony cabins are the prevailing accommodation type and are spread throughout three decks.
The day before reaching Lallemand Fjord, after a Drake Passage crossing that lasted barely 40 hours, we had pulled into one of the most stunningly beautiful spots in all of the continent, the ice-filled Lemaire Channel. Wind and currents can quickly pack drifting ice around a vessel that's buried nose-first in fast ice, making backing out tricky. Vessels with traditional propeller systems that try to reverse their way out of such situations risk damaging their propellers. A few minutes later, a little door swung open at the front of the ship and out popped several of our expedition guides. Every morning on this ship, a wellness instructor leads a stretching session.
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I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a few more notable things about the design of National Geographic Resolution that contribute to it being able to offer such a wide-ranging exploration. Lined with glaciers and towering cliffs, the 8-mile-long Lemaire Channel and its environs is one of the great sights of Antarctica, and we used the extra time we had gained from our speedy crossing of the Drake to soak it in. As I've experienced myself on a previous trip to Antarctica, the churn in the Drake Passage occasionally can be even more extreme. Waves up to 30 or even 40 feet high at times are not uncommon — something known as the Drake Quake.
Most of all, we observed great camaraderie among all crew members, and they appeared genuinely happy to work onboard Endurance, which clearly reflected in their excellent service. She is devoted to exploration—from her Welcoming Bridge, and the Chart Room below it where you can tuck in to warm up with a hot chocolate, to her high-perched Observation deck with its aqueous light and compelling 24/7 views. Even the art on the walls—from the Hurley prints of Shackleton’s expedition to the stunning National Geographic photos— tells an uber-narrative of globe-spanning travel and a dedication to curiosity and wonder. The longer expeditions attract an older group, except during school holidays, and the shorter trips see a wider age range. Most passengers are Americans, with a smattering from Europe, Australia or East and South Asia, depending on the cruising region. The ship prints a list of passenger and staff names, along with everyone's cities, states and countries of origin.
This can be a big deal on Antarctica voyages, which usually begin with a nearly two-day ride across the often-rough body of water between South America and Antarctica known as the Drake Passage. The extra maneuverability means National Geographic Resolution not only can get into an ice-clogged area such as Lallemand Fjord, but — more importantly — can also get out. It ran right into a seemingly endless sheet of snow-topped ice that stretched off to the horizon. A doctor or other health professional is onboard for medical consultations. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. With real, heated flames from the firepits, protection from the wind, and additional overhead infrared heaters, enjoy great views of the surrounding landscapes.
Most come with balconies — something that used to be rare for expedition vessels. The bow of the vessel, in particular, is awash in outdoor viewing platforms that stretch over three decks. An indoor observation lounge at the bow offers views in three directions, and the ship's forward-facing bridge also is open to passengers. By late January, when I first arrived in Antarctica to test out National Geographic Resolution, the fast ice mostly had melted away in the northernmost areas of the Antarctic Peninsula that draw the bulk of Antarctica expedition vessels.
The Points Guy correspondent Gene Sloan spent a cozy night in one of the geodesic glass igloos perched atop the observation deck on National Geographic Resolution—an experience available to all guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. A fully-stabilized vessel of the highest ice class (PC5 Category A), she will enable adventurous guests to go where few have or can. National Geographic Quest was purpose-built by Lindblad for its mainly U.S. demographic. Drawing on 50 years of expedition cruising experience, you will find everything aboard is cleverly constructed and included (or excluded) based on lots of customer feedback.
I was about three days into a 10-night voyage to Antarctica on the new National Geographic Resolution when I began to understand just how special a vessel it was. Guests should be aware that there are no specific areas on the ship for children. However, on the Alaska itineraries, National Geographic offers a Global Explorers program.
The ship carries a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, as well as HD cameras, hydrophones and video equipment allowing access to the amazing underwater world. In the lounge, passengers can view images from the ocean's depths, projected from a remotely operated vehicle. A full-time doctor, photo instructor, video chronicler, wellness and undersea specialists accompany every voyage.
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