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"2018 National Geographic Quest JNU gf489" by Gillfoto (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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National Geographic Quest

47 upcoming departures  ·  15 itineraries

National Geographic Quest is a 100-guest Lindblad Expeditions expedition ship, in service since 2017. This page lists 47 upcoming departures across 15 itineraries, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.

✓ Wildlife-focused expedition travelers ✓ Guests who prefer small ships and informal shared spaces ✓ Active travelers using kayaks, Zodiacs and shore excursions
Class Expedition cruise vessel
Built 2017
Gross Tonnage 2,920
Guests 100
Crew 52
Length 72.9 m
Beam 13.4 m
Decks 4
Cabins 50
Max speed 12.0 kn
Flag United States
Guests per crew 1.9
Space ratio 29

National Geographic Quest at a glance

Ship size

Bigger than 27%

A small expedition-size ship at 2,920 gross tons — #412 of 566 ships we track. 29 tons of ship per guest.

Best for

  • Wildlife-focused expedition travelers
  • Guests who prefer small ships and informal shared spaces
  • Active travelers using kayaks, Zodiacs and shore excursions
  • Travelers wanting balconies or outside cabins
  • Families comfortable with expedition-style travel

Think twice if you want

  • Travelers seeking pools or theatrical entertainment
  • Guests wanting formal evenings and assigned dining
  • Passengers needing fully accessible small-boat operations
  • Travelers seeking large-ship shopping and nightlife
  • Guests requiring extensive dedicated children’s facilities

Live Position ● 35 minutes ago

Heading to: PABLB

Currently on: Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast (7 nights)

Full port route isn't linked for this sailing yet.

10.0 knots

Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.

About National Geographic Quest

National Geographic Quest is a compact, purpose-built expedition ship designed for shallow coves, narrow channels, and wildlife-rich coastal waters. The 100-guest vessel operates with a high staff-to-guest ratio and emphasizes time ashore, Zodiac excursions, naturalist interpretation, photography, and access to remote environments. Its small scale, open observation areas, mudroom, and twin Zodiac boarding platforms support expedition operations in Alaska, British Columbia, Baja California, Costa Rica, and other Pan-American waters.

Ship at a Glance

Operator
Lindblad Expeditions
Builder / shipyard
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders
Registry / flag
United States (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
Call sign
WDJ3521
IMO number
9798985
MMSI
366945000
Draft
3.7 m

Onboard Experience

Signature highlights

Purpose-built U.S. expedition vessel with shallow draft, open observation areas, twin Zodiac boarding platforms, a mudroom, and bridge access. The design supports exploration of narrow channels and shallow coastal areas inaccessible to larger ships.

For families

Six sets of connecting cabins support families and groups, while selected suite cabins include convertible sofa beds. Expedition activities and the small-ship format are designed for active exploration, subject to voyage-specific age and participation requirements.

Pools, spa & wellness

A fitness center is available, along with furnished outdoor areas for scenic viewing and relaxation. The ship also provides open-air observation spaces and an expedition mudroom for gear preparation.

Accessibility

The vessel includes organized expedition facilities and multiple public areas, but its small-ship design, Zodiac operations, shore landings, and outdoor expedition activities may present mobility limitations. Guests should confirm current accessibility details with Lindblad before booking.

Environmental features

Lindblad describes menus as incorporating sustainable choices and local ingredients where possible. The ship’s shallow-draft design and small scale enable access to coastal environments without relying on the infrastructure required by larger cruise ships.

Deck plans

1234

Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it

Deck 3 · Lounge Deck

Dining Room Lounge LEXspa Gym Global Gallery Viewing Platform

Cabins & suites

Oceanview 40% Balcony 44% Suite 16%
CategoryTypeCabinsSizeBalconySleepsDecks
Category 1 Oceanview StateroomOperator code Category 1; cabins 301-306; two portholes; solo occupancy available. Oceanview 6 136 sq ft — 2 Main Deck
Category 2 Oceanview StateroomOperator code Category 2; cabins 307-315 excluding 313; two portholes; solo occupancy available; some cabins connect with Category 1 cabins. Oceanview 8 161 sq ft — 2 Main Deck
Category 3 Oceanview StateroomOperator code Category 3; cabins 201-206; two large view windows. Oceanview 6 151 sq ft — 2 Upper Deck
Category 4 Balcony StateroomOperator code Category 4; cabins 207-229 excluding 213; small private step-out balconies; some cabins connect via internal doorways. Balcony 22 151 sq ft 20 sq ft 2 Upper Deck

Dining, bars & venues

7 included 3 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.

Dining

Dining Room Included
Deck 3
The main dining room serves meals at a single seating with unassigned tables.

Where National Geographic Quest sails, month by month

Nov
26
Dec
26
Jan
27
Feb
27
Mar
27
Apr
27
May
27
Jun
27
Jul
27
Aug
27
Sep
27
Oct
27
Alaska 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 5 4 4 1
Other / multi-region 4 4 6 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Departures per month over the next 12 months, from the cruise line's published schedule.

Explore This Ship

Jump from National Geographic Quest sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.

Itineraries & Sailings

7 Nights

Alaska's Inside Passage

Next: May 15, 2027
9 upcoming departures
7 Nights

Alaska's Inside Passage

Next: May 22, 2027
10 upcoming departures
7 Nights

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Next: Dec 20, 2026
6 upcoming departures
7 Nights

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Next: Nov 29, 2026
6 upcoming departures
7 Nights

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Next: Nov 27, 2027
1 upcoming departure
7 Nights

Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

Next: Oct 15, 2027
2 upcoming departures
5 Nights

Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja 6-Day

Next: Nov 19, 2026
2 upcoming departures
5 Nights

Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja 6-Day

Next: Nov 17, 2027
2 upcoming departures
8 Nights

Inland Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Pearl Islands

Next: Jan 17, 2027
1 upcoming departure
All 15 itineraries and their departure dates

All Upcoming Departures

Departure Return Itinerary Nights Region Book
Nov 7, 2026Nov 14, 2026Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast7Book →
Nov 19, 2026Nov 24, 2026Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja 6-Day5Book →
Nov 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja 6-Day5Book →
Nov 29, 2026Dec 6, 2026Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Dec 6, 2026Dec 13, 2026The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darién Jungle7Book →
Dec 13, 2026Dec 20, 2026The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darién Jungle7Book →
Dec 20, 2026Dec 27, 2026Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Dec 27, 2026Jan 3, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Jan 3, 2027Jan 10, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Jan 10, 2027Jan 17, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Jan 13, 2027Jan 21, 2027Inland Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Pearl Islands8Book →
Jan 17, 2027Jan 25, 2027Inland Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Pearl Islands8Book →
Jan 21, 2027Jan 29, 2027Inland Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Pearl Islands8Book →
Jan 29, 2027Feb 5, 2027The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darién Jungle7Book →
Feb 6, 2027Feb 13, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Feb 13, 2027Feb 20, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Feb 20, 2027Feb 27, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Feb 27, 2027Mar 6, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Mar 6, 2027Mar 13, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Mar 13, 2027Mar 20, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
Mar 20, 2027Mar 27, 2027Costa Rica and the Panama Canal7Book →
May 2, 2027May 15, 2027Treasures of the Inside Passage13AlaskaBook →
May 15, 2027May 22, 2027Alaska's Inside Passage7AlaskaBook →
May 22, 2027May 29, 2027Alaska's Inside Passage7AlaskaBook →

Showing the next 24 of 47 departures. Every itinerary and its dates are listed under All itineraries above.

National Geographic Quest FAQ

What flag does National Geographic Quest sail under?

National Geographic Quest is registered in United States.

How many passengers does National Geographic Quest hold?

National Geographic Quest carries about 100 guests with roughly 52 crew.

How old is National Geographic Quest?

National Geographic Quest entered service in 2017.

How big is National Geographic Quest?

At 2,920 gross tons and 73 m long, National Geographic Quest is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 27% of the 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.

What is the dress code on National Geographic Quest?

Dress is casual and comfortable throughout the voyage. There are no formal evenings.

Is dining included on National Geographic Quest?

Meals served in the onboard dining room are included in the standard fare. Dining is offered at a single seating with unassigned tables.

Are drinks and gratuities included?

Beer, wine, cocktails and spirits are included, while premium brands may cost extra. Crew gratuities are not included for National Geographic Quest and are left to guests’ discretion.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Basic Wi-Fi for email, messaging and social media is included. Enhanced and premium plans for higher-bandwidth uses are available at an additional charge.

Is National Geographic Quest accessible?

The ship has an elevator, but Zodiac transfers, gangways, nature landings and other expedition operations may not be accessible to guests with reduced mobility. Guests requiring mobility assistance must travel with a companion able to provide personal support.

Are children welcome on National Geographic Quest?

Children are welcome on Lindblad Expeditions voyages. National Geographic Explorers-in-Training programming is offered on selected destinations and departures rather than as a permanent onboard kids facility.