National Geographic Sea Lion
Lindblad Expeditions ship guide
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National Geographic Sea Lion, May 2013 · Photo: Thomson M, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National Geographic Sea Lion is due to leave Lindblad Expeditions' fleet in October 2026. Lindblad Expeditions' fleet today · Retired and departing ships
About National Geographic Sea Lion
National Geographic Sea Lion is a Lindblad Expeditions cruise ship, in service since 1982. 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 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 sister she carried 62 guests in 31 outside cabins and, being small and shallow-drafted, could work through the locks of the Columbia River system and into the narrow passages of Southeast Alaska. In earlier years she also sailed in Belize and the Bahamas; her final seasons covered Baja California, Alaska and the Columbia and Snake Rivers, where she ran wine-themed voyages with Food & Wine magazine. Lindblad named 2026 as her farewell season, with final sailings into late October.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 62
- Crew 30 · 1:2.1
- Entered service
- 1982
- 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 Bird1981 · 62 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational 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…
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 Lion, May 2013Photo: Thomson M, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates National Geographic Sea Lion?
National Geographic Sea Lion is operated by Lindblad Expeditions.
Is National Geographic Sea Lion leaving Lindblad Expeditions?
National Geographic Sea Lion is due to leave Lindblad Expeditions' fleet in October 2026.
How big is National Geographic Sea Lion?
National Geographic Sea Lion measures 46 metres in length, with 3 decks.
How many passengers does National Geographic Sea Lion carry?
National Geographic Sea Lion carries 62 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 30 (about 2.1 guests per crew member).
When did National Geographic Sea Lion enter service?
National Geographic Sea Lion entered service in 1982.
Where does National Geographic Sea Lion sail?
National Geographic Sea Lion sails Alaska, Mexican Riviera and Pacific Coast itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for National Geographic Sea Lion?
Lindblad Expeditions publishes the deck plans for National Geographic Sea Lion; this page links to Deck plans and Deck plans (PDF).
How is National Geographic Sea Lion rated?
Cruises Frog rates National Geographic Sea Lion 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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