Signature highlights
The ship carries six Zodiacs, 16 kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards for small-group exploration. Its shallow draft and compact dimensions allow access to waterways and anchorages unavailable to larger cruise ships.
National Geographic Sea Bird
National Geographic Sea Bird is a 62-guest Lindblad Expeditions expedition ship, in service since 1982. This page lists 2 upcoming departures across 2 itineraries, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
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National Geographic Sea Bird at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 2%
A small expedition-size ship at 630 gross tons — #551 of 565 ships we track. 10 tons of ship per guest.
Live Position ● 58 minutes ago
Heading to: PALOUSECurrently on: Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History 8-Day (7 nights)
Full port route isn't linked for this sailing yet.
0.0 knots
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About National Geographic Sea Bird
National Geographic Sea Bird is a compact, American-flagged expedition ship built for close-range exploration along the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, Baja California, and Central America. The 62-guest vessel has 31 outside cabins, three passenger decks, and a shallow draft suited to narrow channels and secluded anchorages. Its intimate scale supports an informal expedition atmosphere, with naturalists, kayaks, Zodiacs, and frequent opportunities for wildlife observation from the open bridge, observation areas, and partially covered sun deck.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Builder / shipyard
- Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Freeland, Washington, USA
- Registry / flag
- United States (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- WAK8004
- IMO number
- 8966444
- MMSI
- 366892350
- Previous names
- Sea Bird; Majestic Explorer
Onboard Experience
Dining
Meals are served in a single-seating dining room with unassigned tables, encouraging informal mingling. Menus emphasize sustainable choices and local ingredients where possible.
Entertainment
The lounge includes a full-service bar and facilities for films, slide presentations, and expedition talks. A library, observation areas, and an open bridge provide additional onboard activities.
Staterooms & suites
All 31 cabins are outside-facing and include windows, private bathrooms, lower berths, reading lights, and individual climate control. Cabin categories are distributed across the Main, Upper, and Bridge decks.
Pools, spa & wellness
The ship has a partially covered sun deck with chairs and tables, plus outdoor areas suited to wildlife viewing and relaxation.
Environmental features
Lindblad describes the dining program as featuring sustainable choices and local ingredients where possible. The ship's small-scale expedition design supports access to remote coastal environments rather than large-port cruising.
History & sister ships
Other Expedition ship ships
Where National Geographic Sea Bird sails, month by month
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| Other / multi-region | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Explore This Ship
Jump from National Geographic Sea Bird sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
7 Nights
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History 8-Day
Next: Oct 24, 2026
1 upcoming departure
7 Nights
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History 8-Day
Next: Oct 17, 2026
1 upcoming departure
All 2 itineraries and their departure dates
All Upcoming Departures
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History 8-Day | 7 | Book → | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History 8-Day | 7 | Book → |
National Geographic Sea Bird FAQ
What flag does National Geographic Sea Bird sail under?
National Geographic Sea Bird is registered in United States.
How many passengers does National Geographic Sea Bird hold?
National Geographic Sea Bird carries about 62 guests with roughly 30 crew.
How old is National Geographic Sea Bird?
National Geographic Sea Bird entered service in 1982.
How big is National Geographic Sea Bird?
At 630 gross tons and 46 m long, National Geographic Sea Bird is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 2% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.