National Geographic Sea Bird
Lindblad Expeditions ship guide
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National Geographic Sea Bird docked at Juneau, Alaska, June 2018 · Photo: Dankarl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National Geographic Sea Bird is due to leave Lindblad Expeditions' fleet in October 2026. Lindblad Expeditions' fleet today · Retired and departing ships
About National Geographic Sea Bird
National Geographic Sea Bird is a Lindblad Expeditions cruise ship, in service since 1981. She carries 62 guests with a crew of 30. She sails Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast itineraries. She is due to leave the fleet in October 2026. We rate her 3.2 out of 5.
National Geographic Sea Bird was one of a pair of small U.S.-flagged twins built by Nichols Brothers in Washington state in the early 1980s; Lindblad's annual report dates her to 1981. She took 62 guests, all in outside cabins, and drew little enough water for narrow channels, river locks and coves; she carried six Zodiacs and 16 kayaks and had an open bridge and a single-seating dining room. Her last seasons took her from Baja California's Sea of Cortez to Alaska's Inside Passage and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. In December 2025 Lindblad announced that 2026 would be her farewell season, with the larger, chartered Greg Mortimer taking over her Alaska voyages from 2027; her final sailings ran on the Columbia and Snake Rivers into late October 2026.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 62
- Crew 30 · 1:2.1
- Entered service
- 1981
- Leaving October 2026
- Length
- 46 m
- Shorter than 99% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 3
Ratings
- Cabins
- 2/5−1.0, fleet average 3.0
- Dining
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Entertainment
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Service
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Pools & decks
- 2/5, fleet average 2.1
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Lindblad Expeditions fleet average across 12 rated ships in service.
More from Lindblad Expeditions
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
3.2 ★Leaving Oct 2026National Geographic Sea Lion1982 · 62 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Sea Lion was the twin of National Geographic Sea Bird, built by Nichols Brothers in Washington state and dated to 1982 in Lindblad's annual report. Like her…
3.5 ★National Geographic Gemini2001 · 2,937 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Gemini is a 48-guest expedition ship that works the Galápagos all year. Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, built her in 2001 as Sun Bay, and she became…
3.5 ★National Geographic Islander II1991 · 3,370 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Islander II is a 48-guest, all-suite expedition ship based year-round in the Galápagos. Flender Werft in Lübeck floated her out as Lady Diana in 1989 and…Official deck plans
Photos
National Geographic Sea Bird docked at Juneau, Alaska, June 2018Photo: Dankarl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates National Geographic Sea Bird?
National Geographic Sea Bird is operated by Lindblad Expeditions.
Is National Geographic Sea Bird leaving Lindblad Expeditions?
National Geographic Sea Bird is due to leave Lindblad Expeditions' fleet in October 2026.
How big is National Geographic Sea Bird?
National Geographic Sea Bird measures 46 metres in length, with 3 decks.
How many passengers does National Geographic Sea Bird carry?
National Geographic Sea Bird carries 62 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 30 (about 2.1 guests per crew member).
When did National Geographic Sea Bird enter service?
National Geographic Sea Bird entered service in 1981.
Where does National Geographic Sea Bird sail?
National Geographic Sea Bird sails Alaska, Mexican Riviera and Pacific Coast itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for National Geographic Sea Bird?
Lindblad Expeditions publishes the deck plans for National Geographic Sea Bird; this page links to Deck plans and Deck plans (PDF).
How is National Geographic Sea Bird rated?
Cruise Frog rates National Geographic Sea Bird 3.2 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (5/5) and lowest on pools & decks (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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