National Geographic Venture readies pair of Pacific voyages
If you like your ships small and cruises adventurous, you could hardly do better than Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (expeditions.com). Lindblad, together with its unique partnership with the fine folks at National Geographic, has been pioneering small-ship cruises to exotic and off-the-beaten-path places for decades. These cruises have a hugely entertaining educational component, and are suitable for the entire family.
This fall, Lindblad Expeditions will take delivery of its newest ship, the 100-guest National Geographic Venture, which will call the Pacific Coast — from Baja to Alaska — home.
The first inaugural sailing sets out from San Francisco on Dec. 2 — a five-night Left Coast journey that will traverse the state of California. What’s more, Lindblad’s CEO and namesake founder, Sven Lindblad, will be on board for this special journey.
Dubbed Coastal California by Sea, this voyage departs San Francisco — a dazzling experience in its own right — before setting out for some of the state’s best-kept secrets, with visits to Angel Island, Sausalito, Monterey and Point Lobos, Avila Beach and Catalina Island.
National Geographic Venture’s second inaugural voyage is a 12-day journey that departs San Francisco on Dec. 7. This is a fantastic adventure that sails between San Francisco and La Paz, Mexico, through the heart of the Pacific Coast and Baja Mexico.
Highlights of this 12-day cruise include snorkelling in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, the only hard coral reef in North America with more than 220 species of fish. Guests will also be able to see the world’s largest salt mine in Guerrero Negro; explore the shifting dunes of Isla Magdalena; and watch the sun rise over the magnificent rock formations off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, known as El Arco.
National Geographic Venture continues in Baja, Calif., throughout the winter of 2018-19 before sailing up the Pacific Coast in the spring to offer a wide variety of expedition itineraries in California, Oregon, Washington State, Alaska and British Columbia. Like the rest of National Geographic’s fleet of adventurous small ships, National
Geographic Venture will be equipped with all the necessary gear and toys for weeks of fun in nature. With its forward-facing observation lounge and plenty of open deck space, wildlife viewing and photography are front-andcentre aboard Lindblad’s latest and greatest.
The ship also carries a full fleet of motorized Zodiac rafts for in-depth exploration, as well as a complement of kayaks. Hikes of varying levels of difficulty are offered in many ports of call, and I’ve found on my past sailings with Lindblad that the company does a great job of ensuring that there is always something interesting to see and do, no matter whether you’re off exploring onshore or enjoying some down time on the ship.
National Geographic Venture also features Lindblad’s B&H photo gear loaner program, where guests can try the latest lenses, camera bodies and binoculars aboard ship. It also doesn’t hurt that the ship has its own ROV (remotely operated vehicle) that can beam video back from 305 metres below the ocean; or that the on-board undersea bow camera, video microscope and hydrophones can let you see and hear marine life as never before.
Out of the ship’s 50 passenger cabins, 22 will have their own private balconies — a rarity among small expedition vessels of the past. Every cabin will feature either windows or portholes, and some will offer the ability to accommodate a third guest, while others will have connecting doors — perfect for families travelling together.
On Lindblad, you find people who are well-travelled and curious about nature — and who would not otherwise be on a big crowded cruise ship vying for space at the pool deck. They like being active. They enjoy learning. And they love having fun in new places. You can go an entire week or two without seeing another human being on some of the line’s itineraries.
If you want to shop till you drop, this may not be your cruise. If you’re looking for an adventurous small-ship expedition cruise that will let you see North America’s Pacific Coast in a whole new light, this may be the cruise for you.
Happy cruising.
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