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The setting for all our activities was at the base of the Blue Mountains, which was lush with the growth of spring. Dunham Cellars was enjoyed for their acclaimed cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and chardonnay. Everyone then met at Three Rivers Winery for a catered lunch with wine tasting and an enjoyable bask in the warm sun, supplemented by frisbee golf, corn hole contests, and relaxing on the deck. The afternoon was spent at Fort Walla Walla Museum and downtown Walla Walla. Fort Walla Walla has many exhibits from the late 1800s to early 1900s, including a full-sized diorama of a team of 33 mules used to move the large wheat combines. This was the practice prior to mechanization in this highly productive wheat area.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Cruises
While we enjoyed water activities (Zodiac cruising, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking), the dive team would slip underwater to collect fascinating footage to then edit and present in a brief lecture. She also features a shallow draft, allowing her Captain to navigate the inner reaches and provide more intimate experiences. Other speakers included natural historians and a variety of experts in their fields—birding, whales, photography, culture, and even a young man who found a previously unknown octopus colony in Puget Sound. One point made by this young man stuck with me—he claims that octopi is not a word. The experts shared their tales with aplomb, whether out in the zodiacs or in the lounge. Nothing ever got boring, especially with the clever and sometimes cringeworthy jokes sprinkled in for good measure.
National Geographic Venture
Plus, visit an authentic Alaskan town and fishing village to explore the waterfront and shops. We have special permission to visit Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site— the only ship with over 22 guests in over two decades permitted to do so. New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips. Our Adventure Specialist was exceptionally helpful during our rather more complicated preparations involving travelers from 3 locations and various ages and special needs. She also successfully managed to have a lost item returned to us after the cruise.
Learning from Lindblad naturalists
We chose the seven night Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness expedition between Juneau and Sitka, both relatively easy small cities to reach. Highlights of the expedition included exploring Glacier Bay National Park, a visit to historic Petersburg and lots of wildlife encounters. There were excursions each day, and regular walks ashore (moderate difficulty). We also loved the opportunity to jump in the kayaks (they have both single and double) to paddle out from the ship amongst the glaciers.
Dining on National Geographic Venture
Desert was a paltry substitution of what the omnivore was provided. Our room on the middle deck of the ship had a private balcony, just above the water, with sliding glass door to our tidy room. This feature allowed a peaceful, private retreat to view water, vistas, and bring fresh air, allowing a feeling of immersion in the environment. Lindblad Alaska guests can delight in having their every intellectual and operational need not only met, but exceeded. It’s for this reason that many of our Lindblad Alaska small ship cruises make our list of luxury Alaska cruises, and why I would happily take another Lindblad Alaska cruise. This elite group is comprised of researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, hydrographers, NOAA scientists, university professors, licensed boat captains, global sailors, divemasters and more.
We also saw a number of sea creatures during our snorkeling activities. We finished the day with a delicious dinner on the sky deck of National Geographic Endeavour II . We include just about everything you have the opportunity to do as part of your expedition aboard the ship and ashore. The only items not included are those of a personal nature-alcohol, internet usage, tips to the crew, wellness treatments and specialized arrangements such as optional flightseeing in Petersburg. Every expedition aboard a ship in our fleet offers an exclusive service – a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor.
Kayak and expedition landing craft cruise scenic shorelines
However, while sailing from place to place, there are also many opportunities to relax and recuperate too. The ships have many public spaces to meet new friends, indulge in some quiet time, and refuel with delicious, fresh food. Each ship has a library stocked with books (many relating to your destination!), a global market, a lounge with a full-service bar and film space, an observation deck, and a sundeck. The sundeck boasts tables and lounge chairs as well as fitness equipment, including an elliptical, stationary bike, stretch bands and yoga mats. A wellness specialist teaches yoga and Pilates on the deck before breakfast each morning, and an onboard spa offers massage therapy, body treatments and other spa treatments for an additional charge. At the global market, items from local artisans can be purchased, with 5 percent of proceeds going to the Lindblad Artisan Fund.
Explore the region’s places and wildlife
Those function to keep feet dry when the zodiacs make wet landings. With its turquoise seawater rippling through glacier-carved fjords, few locations on Earth provide a more visceral image of our planet’s living ecosystem than Alaska’s Inner Passage. It would be impossible to venture through here without gaining a better understanding of the interconnectedness of matter both alive and inanimate.
THE 11 BEST Lindblad Expeditions Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 11 BEST Lindblad Expeditions Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:10:57 GMT [source]
If you’re seeking Lindblad Alaska cruise reviews, you’ve come to the right place (or find Lindblad expeditions reviews alongside our global Lindblad trip listings). Read on for insights into what stands out about Lindblad Expeditions in Alaska, according to AdventureSmith’s Mary Montalbano. Also find testimonials by our clients, rating the on- and off-ship experience in Alaska with this operator. On this 6-day Wild Alaska Escape itinerary, experience the pure power of primal wilderness on this compact expedition along the untamed southern regions of Southeast Alaska.
LibraryBoth ships feature a library with a selection of books pertaining to your destination. Heating & air conditioningThe ships are air conditioned and heated throughout. Our Forest Service Special Use Permit for Tongass National Forest enables you to hike and kayak in wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska. We would recommend AdventureSmith to friends and family without hesitation. Good variety and accommodation for special food needs of the vegetarians, small child and gluten free passengers in our group. Be prepared to be awed by the epic scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, active outdoor opportunities and native cultural collections in excellent museums.
Lindblad has several permits that allow guests to visit remote parts of Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park, all while remaining close by the line's beautiful and cozy expedition ships. Most of the destinations on an Alaska cruise with Lindblad are places you've never heard of, and with just 62 guests on each ship, you're sure to be among like-minded, bold travelers like yourself. Their knowledge and passion for Alaska is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even with all this activity, the standout feature of the expedition is the Lindblad staff. What unites them despite their diverse backgrounds is that each has chosen their current path after a life-changing experience in nature.
ValuablesWhile our ships are not equipped with safety deposit boxes in the cabins, most have small locking drawers with a key where you can keep your valuables. As our vessel safes are quite small, our normal policy is that the ships cannot accept custody or responsibility for guests’ valuables while on board. Haida Gwaii, Gwai Hannas, Old Massett, and Alert Bay were strong cultural experiences which made the whole trip worthwhile. As was confirmed by the boat captain, we had some experiences with glacier calving and whale-watching that he hadn't seen in the 20 years he'd been 'captaining.' [Fellow travelers were] beautiful individuals, diverse and respectful. The Sea Bird is a small ship, so naturally accommodations were small, but we enjoyed the limited number of passengers and ability to know crew and staff. The crew on Venture accommodated my life-threatening dairy allergy seamlessly.
Happily for us we encountered lots of wildlife, from feeding brown bears to playful whales and that most iconic American symbol, the Bald Eagle. On every expedition, we offer an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, and to help you become a better, more confident photographer and you’ll go home with the best shots ever. The photo instructor is there to help every level of photographer, so remember to pack your camera.
Enjoy a full day immersed in the beauty of Glacier Bay National Park with insights from a Tlingit cultural interpreter. We ventured into inlets, searched for sea life, and hoped for calving glaciers. We saw bears, moose, whales, sea lions, porpoises, puffins, and a variety of birds. Unsurprisingly, an expedition cruise focuses on nature and activities. Meal times on this expedition cruise offered one seating at each meal.
Steve (expedition leader) and Linda (botanist) were both knowledgeable and friendly. Michelle Leon (doctor on board) was very considerate, kind and friendly. We felt safe and confident with her and will go other expeditions anywhere with her. While all Lindblad Alaska ships offer the same amenities, the Venture and Quest have obvious refinements.
Thanks to the open bridge policy, you can also chat with the Captain, see his or her view, and learn a bit more about navigation whenever you please. Internet access is available for an additional charge while onboard. Lindblad Expeditions currently operate two sister-ships on their seven night Alaska programmes, Sea Bird and Sea Lion. Launched in 1982, she carries 62 guests (plus 25 crew) and at just 50 metres in length she is small enough to access all the coves and tributaries you want to explore on a cruise like this. Indeed the ships are small enough to pull close to shore to allow guests to see brown bears feasting on a kill, an encounter we were lucky enough to experience. There is no place like Alaska—a vast, untouched frontier of snow-capped mountains, breathtaking fjords, and extraordinary wildlife.
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