VITAL STATISTICS
Passengers: 62 Crew: 22
Built: 1982 Refurbished: 2005
Demographic: English-speaking, active mature couples and singles.
Carefully chosen families with bright, well-adjusted kids.
Facilities: Single-sitting Dining Room, Guest Internet Access, Kayaks,
Spa, Library, Lounge with bar, Open Bridge, Sun Deck, Wellness
Program, Zodiacs, underwater cameras. Some guides (e.g. Berlitz)
fail to mention the spa and wellness program. While not extensive, it
caters well to the number of likely customers. There is also some fitness
equipment on the sun deck.
Itineraries: Alaska from Juneau and Sitka (May-Aug); the Columbia &
Snake Rivers from Portland (Sept-Oct) and Baja/Sea of Cortez from La
Paz (Jan-Mar).
Cabins: 31, across three categories – small, from 7sqm.
Food: While some might describe the dining as plain and it is certainly
unpretentious, but the food is tasty, healthy and wholesome, with
excellent use of locally-sourced produce. A quality rather than quantity
mindset reinforces health and responsibility.
Service: Relaxed, cheerful and informal, the crew, staff and naturalist
guides feel more like extra guests and become part of the travelling
contingent without feelings of delineation and segregation.
Tipping: ‘Crew gratuities at guests’ discretion’
Entertainment: Expedition ships do not have formal entertainment
typically, so most is self-generated conversation, movies,
documentaries, reading and just relaxing under the stars. Naturalist
lectures are engaging and well presented with plenty of audience
participation. There is a definite focus for photographers with dedicated
lectures, facilities and workshops.
Excursions: Shore trips range from self-guided strolls through the little
villages to highly informative, expertly guided nature hikes through the
forest and aboard Zodiacs.
Dress code: Smart casual, comfortable and practical. Leave your sequins
and heels at home. Like any expedition ship, your packing list should
reflect the destination with appropriate footwear & outer wear a priority.
Who would love it: Active, intelligent, inquisitive grown-ups
predominantly, but NG Expeditions also cater well for kids with naturebased
educational program and activities. On some expedition ships,
I have occasionally found ill-suited guides with great CVs but poor
personal and organisation skills. The NG team are easily equal to the
best I have ever experienced with a focus on guest enjoyment and not
self-aggrandisement. Birdwatchers, nature and animal lovers, outdoorsy
types and those looking to rid themselves temporarily of urban stresses.
Most passengers tend to be drawn from the non-cruise sector and very
few will have been aboard the biggest cruise ships and if they have,
are unlikely to make it the topic of discussion at dinner. Expect to meet
lively, well-travelled types. Mainly Americans, but don’t let that put you
off, I found my shipmates in Alaska delightful.
Who would hate it: If you’re a traditional big ship kind of person, you
might find yourself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings.
There’s sod-all to remind you of the lavish, red carpet treatment you
may be used to in the owners’ suite. There’s no expansive 24hr buffet,
Las Vegas style entertainment or slot machines, but I’d wager that’s
what most people aboard are trying to get away from. If you’re judging
a ship by its Berlitz rating, and NG Sea Bird is a lowly 1.5 stars, you’re
missing the point. This is not a ‘ship’ experience, it’s a nature experience
and an exceptional one.
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