An intimately scaled expedition ship

National Geographic Sea Lion, like her twin ship, National Geographic Sea Bird, is a tried and true expedition ship that plies the waters from Alaska, to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, to Baja California and the Sea of Cortez and to Costa Rica and Panama. With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. She can venture into fast-moving channels where whales come to feed, transit a series of locks in the Pacific Northwest, nose up to waterfalls in secluded coves, and sail into protected anchorages in small bays perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.

Welcome to the cruise tour expedition community

Sea Lion accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Her inviting public spaces foster a sense of shipboard life where everyone is integral to the adventure, engendering a sense of expedition community. National Geographic writer Andrew Evans called the vessel the "closest thing to Cousteau's Calypso" he's ever had the pleasure to be on.

She is equipped with tools for exploration that guarantee us an in-depth experience in all the places we explore, and her open bow is a natural gathering place that accommodates the entire community at once for shared wildlife viewing experiences. Our expedition style is active, casual, and engaged. There is no need for formal clothing, and the services offered aboard ensure travel is effortless. Learn more about life aboard, including dining, or see our cabins. After a day of exploring, you're invited to relax in Sea Lion's open spaces on deck or recharge with a wellness treatment.

A comfortable place to end your active day and begin each morning

National Geographic Sea Lion accommodates 62 guests in 31 cabins. All accommodations are outside facing with one or two windows, and the cabins on the upper and bridge decks open to the outside deck. Double-occupancy cabins include two single beds, and some category three cabins feature two lower single beds that can be converted to a double bed, plus a pullout single bed for a third person.

Your room is a comfortable space to end your active day, with organic cotton duvets and crisp cotton sheeting. Attentive hotel staff will transform your room while you're out hiking or exploring, so you can return to a cool, welcoming space.

Comfort & convenience, standard in every room

Every cabin has Wi-Fi access, temperature controls, and is stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, plus a hairdryer. Beneath every bed is space to store luggage, and each cabin has one or two closets plus drawers under the beds. A speaker in your cabin is tuned to the microphone in the ship's lounge. You can listen to evening presentations while sorting photos on your laptop. Leave your public address turned on overnight if you'd like to be alerted to any sightings that might occur during the hours before breakfast, or simply turn it off if you'd like to sleep peacefully through the morning's activities.

Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet and lunch is often served family style. Menu emphasizes local flair.

See, do and get more with these cool tools

National Geographic Sea Lion is outfitted with cool tools for exploration that enable a deeper connection with the places you'll explore.

Kayaks

A fleet of one-and two-person kayaks allow you to explore intimate bays and paddle along scenic shorelines. Our naturalists will help novices with technique, while experts have the opportunity to explore further afield.

Paddleboards

Circumnavigate a tiny uninhabited island, explore mangroves, or paddle along an idyllic beach.

Expedition Landing Craft

Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With several of these boats used every time we disembark, we're able to transfer everyone off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. These sturdy inflatable craft are the same time-tested brand Jacques Cousteau used in his expeditions for over 30 years. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat. The expedition landing craft we use are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of carrying 12 to 14 people with ease.

Hydrophone

Underwater camera

In Alaska, Baja California and Costa Rica & Panama our undersea specialist or naturalist will explore beneath the surface and shoot video to share during Recap in Sea Lion's lounge, offering us a glimpse of places few people get to explore.

Bow Cam

An underwater camera is mounted to Sea Lion's bow, feeding live video to the monitors in the lounge, offering a glimpse of what passes beneath our bow as we sail through Alaska, Baja California or Costa Rica & Panama.

Splash-Cam

The ship is equipped with a Splash-Cam for easy deployment by our naturalists to show the spectacular world beneath the surface.

Snorkeling gear

If you're exploring Costa Rica & Panama you'll be fitted with a mask, snorkel and fins. These are yours to use for the expedition - so there's no need to pack and tote your own gear. Guests who own masks with prescription lenses, or prefer to use their own gear are invited to bring it. Wetsuits are not necessary in the warm waters of Costa Rica & Panama. In Baja California, you'll be fitted with a mask, snorkel, fins and shorty wetsuit.

The new standard for expedition hospitality & comfort

Full interior renovations have been completed on our twin 62-guest ships, National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird. The extensive renovation to guest cabins, the lounge and bar, dining room, public areas and spa has transformed the ships to provide the ultimate in expedition hospitality and comfort. Nothing has been left untouched, from the sleekly framed wall photos, to the fresh paint, and new carpets throughout the ships.

The lounge and bar have been completely redesigned and reconfigured to provide an open, enhanced environment with additional seating and better flow. The modern design features new tables and chairs, upholstery of settees, overhead ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The lounge also hosts a new food & beverage area, library, and Global Market.

The dining room's upgrade features all new tables, chairs, ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The wine bar has been replaced and features a display showcasing selections from the regions explored.

Every cabin has been completely redone and all furnishings have been replaced. Modern aged cherry bed boxes, faux leather headboards, Lindblad signature bed linens, new windows, lighting, and additional USB outlets provide a dramatic makeover for a relaxing guest experience. Bathrooms now feature new shower doors and all new hardware.

Exterior renovations include new deck furniture and outdoor awning.

Comfort & convenience in every cabin

Air-conditioning/heating

The ship is air-conditioned and heated throughout. Each cabin has its own air flow regulator, allowing you to control the temperature level in your cabin.

Basic amenities

You'll find botanically-inspired shampoo, shower gel, a hair dryer, and an SPF 15 lip balm in your cabin.

Cabin keys

We do not issue keys to the cabins on this vessel. Cabin doors may be locked from the inside. Each cabin has a desk with a locking drawer.

Electrical current

Each cabin is equipped with 110-volt (standard American-style) outlets. Electric razors, hair dryers, and other small appliances may be used in cabin outlets. Please note that the electrical current is sometimes uneven, so we suggest you use a surge protector if you have one for your computer or other sensitive equipment.

Luggage storage

Your cabin has been designed so that luggage can be stored under your bed. There is ample space to hang and store clothing in your cabin. Due to space limitations, we cannot store your luggage in other areas on board the ship.

Smoking

Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is not permitted in any interior space including guest cabins.

Wireless Internet

Your cabin offers Wi-Fi access. Connecting to the satellite Internet costs between $.40 and $.75 per minute, based on how many minutes you purchase.

Welcoming spaces, great food, plus health and harmony

Dining

Food served aboard is fresh, local and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the main deck. When weather conditions allow, some meals are served on the sundeck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you.

Public spaces

National Geographic Sea Lion features an open bow and sundeck for gathering to watch for wildlife or enjoy an evening cocktail with friends in the open air.

Bridge:

You're invited to the ship's bridge to see the business of navigation unfold. Ask the watch officer questions about navigation. Or, help yourself to the ever-ready binoculars to scan the horizon for pods of dolphins. There may occasionally be times when the bridge must be restricted to shipboard personnel only.

Lounge:

The lounge, located forward on the main deck, is the heart of our expedition community, where we hold cocktail hour and Recap each evening. It's also where you'll gather for lectures, photography talks, and guest speaker presentations. There's a small reference library and board games and cards are also available.

Bar:

The bar is typically open from 11 a.m. until one hour after lunch begins and from 5 p.m. until closing. A variety of beverages are available for purchase including wine by the glass or bottle, cocktails, specialty drinks, and spirits. There is also a 24-hour self-service beverage station with coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, water, ice, and snacks. The drinking age aboard the ship is 21.

Sundeck:

Morning stretch classes are held in the open air of the sundeck, located aft on the bridge deck. After stretch class the deck is set with tables and chairs, and lounge chairs.

Bow:

Sea Lion's bow observation area accommodates the entire expedition community at once for a shared wildlife viewing experience. A raised platform in the center is a favorite perch for photographers.

Wellness aboard

Making daily discoveries and exploring the wild world is naturally uplifting. Your wellness specialist will help make your expedition relaxing as well as revitalizing. Greet the day with a light exercise class on deck; take an aerobic sensory walk ashore; soothe yourself with a massage onboard. Relaxing full body, deep tissue and focused therapeutic massages are available. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a treatment once on board.

Fitness area:

Two exercise bikes and an elliptical machine are located in the open air of the sundeck. In addition, yoga mats, blocks, straps, resistance bands, small hand weights and foam rollers are located in the wellness deck box, and available for use anytime during the voyage.

The global market: a window on regional talent

Discover the talent of local artisans in the places Sea Lion ventures in the ship's global market. The global market includes a collection of items made by local residents in the places we explore. It is hosted in the ship's lounge during each expedition. You may find silver jewelry crafted in Alaska, handmade dolls from Baja, paintings and books by your naturalist staff, plus expedition clothing and other essentials. Every item purchased in the global market contributes to the Lindblad Artisan Fund, which supports artisans in communities around the world to develop their potential more effectively and successfully. Five percent of all Sea Lion global market sales will be earmarked for this fund, and the Lindblad-National Geographic Fund will match dollar for dollar what is raised through these earmarks.

An extraordinary hotel staff, at your service

An attentive, expert hotel staff and well-thought-out amenities ensure a comfortable shipboard life.

Stay connected

Every cabin on National Geographic Sea Lion offers Wi-Fi as do the lounge and dining room. Connecting to the internet costs between $.40 and $.75 per minute, based on how many minutes you purchase. Satellite phone is available for phone calls at additional charge. Stay in touch with the news back home through a condensed version of The New York Times printed aboard each day.

Photo kiosk for photographers

An iMac station is available in the ship's lounge for editing and sorting your photos. It's equipped with a digital media reader and USB outlets. Bring along an external hard drive or USB drive (or several) to store and back up your photos. Use of the photo kiosk is complimentary, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Always-open drinks

Reusable bottles for water are in your cabin when you arrive. The lounge offers hot coffee and tea, plus filtered water, ice, and soda 24 hours a day.

Doctor

A doctor is aboard Sea Lion in Baja California and Costa Rica & Panama and is available 24 hours a day, at no charge.