Lindblad's National Geographic Quest Sets Sail

Image: PHOTO: National Geographic Quest. (photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions/Marc Cappelletti)

by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 5:45 PM ET, Mon July 31, 2017

[IMAGECAPTION]PHOTO: National Geographic Quest. (photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions/Marc Cappelletti)[/IMAGECAPTION]

Lindblad's first newbuild is on its inaugural sailing.

The National Geographic Quest on July 29 will set sail from Juneau on the Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness itinerary, an eight-day journey through southeast part of the state.

"You all must feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, you have all worked tirelessly to make this possible, and are a part of history having played an important role in the building and launch of the most sophisticated and beautiful ship built in the US in decades," said Sven Lindblad, CEO and president of Lindblad Expeditions.

The 100-guest ship is state-of-the-art and was purpose-built for Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize. It was constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, north of Seattle.

The Quest has some unique features that allow guests to have a much more intimate experience in each destination and that are also firsts for Lindblad.

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 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.

Twin landing platforms allow for close-up wildlife viewing and maximize the number time spent boarding and disembarking the ship. The ship also has an open, airy feeling with large open decks and a lot of windows, giving visitors the chance to feel at one with the area they are sailing in, be it the tropical waterways of Central America or the narrow passageways of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Onboard comforts include an open bow and observation deck for wildlife viewing, elevator access, an open bridge to watch navigation and a lounge, which is the heart of the ship.

Guests will also find Zodiacs for expeditions onboard, as well as kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, encouraging guests to get out and explore the scenery. Glass-bottom boats make it easy for guests to see what's below and onboard hydrophones allow guests to hear what is under the water, too.

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Guests can also get the full feel of an expedition with access to ship cameras, electronic charts, video microscopes, crow's nest camera's snorkeling gear and more.

For those who want to have a little bit of pampering during the expedition, there's also an onboard spa, a fitness center, stretch classes on the sundeck, a bar and more to keep busy.

The Quest will be sailing the Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness through August 26. It will then sail the Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia on September 2.

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness sails from Juneau, Alaska, and then heads to Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, Petersburg, Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait, Icy Strait and the Inian Islands, Glacier Bay National Park, Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords and then finishes in Sitka.

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