Alaska’s Inside Passage

National Geographic Quest: see deck plan and photos
National Geographic Venture:  see deck plan and photos

An important feature of any National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions cruise is the small ship size. Smaller ships are able to access more remote areas off limits to large cruise ships, and guests enjoy more intimate nature encounters as well as more personalized interactions with the ship's naturalist staff. Guests are divided into smaller groups for Zodiac excursions, kayak outings and hikes ashore.

All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on final day, excursions, park and entrance fees, use of kayaks, taxes and service charges, and services of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions' leader.

Air transportation, voyage DVD, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, emails, etc., discretionary tips to naturalist staff and crew, optional travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.

Recommended Insurance

Since the areas we travel to are remote and wild (that's why we go there!), we strongly recommend that all guests have, at minimum, medical evacuation insurance for this program. While this is not required, we make this strong suggestion in the interest of our guests' safety. We recommend that your chosen independent insurance plan includes at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

To protect your investment and to provide peace of mind while you travel, we also strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. Plans may cover everything from medical treatment to trip cancellations and delays and lost luggage. Please contact our office if you would like more information about the medical evacuation and comprehensive travel insurance policies we offer by calling 800-543-8917.

Easy to Moderate
This adventure does not require a high degree of physical fitness; however, should you choose to participate in every activity, you will be required to climb into and out of Zodiac-style expedition landing crafts and kayaks from the ship. Please be prepared for water landings and a series of short walks over potentially wet, muddy, uneven terrain. Kayaking will be an option available to guests. It is easy to learn, and we expect that most of our guests have little or no experience. It does, however, take an adventurous spirit.

National Geographic Sea Bird departures will have a modified itinerary and will not be calling on Glacier Bay National Park. Guests will instead explore the rarely visited outer bays—either Dundas Bay or Fern Harbor—with opportunities for naturalist-led coastal hikes looking for evidence of moose or wolves, kayaking into secluded coves, or cruising around sea stacks via Zodiac.

This Alaskan cruise is a family-friendly journey that offers National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions' signature Global Explorer's Program for guests under 18 to enjoy an educational, interactive experience in the field.

Arrive in Juneau or Sitka early afternoon on Day 1 for an afternoon city tour (some departures travel from Juneau to Sitka and others operate in the reverse direction). Embarkation is at 5:30 pm. Disembarkation is at 8:00 am on the final day, and group transfers usually arrive at the airport about noon.

We can best serve you by having National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ air department book your flights, since National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is most familiar with the special requirements of each trip. Please call National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions directly at 800-397-3348. Note that while National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ air department will offer you its best available rates on airfare, you may find better fares online.