Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

Your Cabin

Cabins aboard the National Geographic Quest are an inviting place to end your day of activity. There are a total of 50 outside cabins on board and each one features either two portholes, large windows or step-out balcony. In each cabin, beds can be twin or converted to a Queen. Cabins range in size from 12.6 to 17.3 square metres and feature modern bathrooms, climate controls, hairdryer, Wi-Fi connections and USB ports for mobile devices. You will find organic botanical products in the bathroom.

Your Dining

Meals are served in the dining room at a single seating with unassigned tables meaning you can dine with whomever you wish. The expedition team will dine alongside guests allowing for opportunities to discuss the highlights of the day and what is to come. The onboard chefs use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, including locally grown produce, sustainably caught fish, and other local products. An array of fresh fruits and delicious fresh juices are key components of the breakfast buffet, as are fresh vegetables and fish at lunch and dinner. When conditions allow, lighter options may be served outside on the Observation Deck. A selection of drinks including beer and wine are served with lunch and dinner and there is a 24-hour self service beverage station available for tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Your Space

The spacious public areas include the main dining room and the comfortable lounge which features wrap-around windows for optimal views, a full-service bar and state-of-the-art presentation facilities. The lounge is where guests gather daily for talks and recaps. There is also a small reference library with board games. The vessel features a specially designed open bow and the outside deck has been designed as the perfect wildlife viewing platform which is in close proximity to the lounge allowing for instant access to spontaneous wildlife sightings. Outside there is also a partially covered and furnished sundeck with tables, chairs and lounge chairs for relaxing. To ease the embarkation and disembarkations for the daily activities, the vessel features a mudroom with lockers to store boots and other expedition gear. Another feature of the ship is the spa and fitness centre staffed by the wellness specialist. There is a shop on board stocked with local artisan products. Internet access, laundry service and a ship’s doctor are available on board and there is a lift which serves all decks.

Life On Board

The atmosphere on board is relaxed and informal and focused on the marvellous scenery and wildlife we will be experiencing. Whilst sailing, you can relax on deck with a good book, spend time with the onboard specialists looking for wildlife, relax with a massage in the spa, take part in some morning stretches on deck with the wellness specialist or scan the horizon from the open Bridge with the binoculars provided on board. The vessel carries expedition equipment including eight Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, paddleboards and an underwater video camera. There is a high ratio of crew to passengers and after a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of an exceedingly comfortable ship.

Ship Directory

Please find below further details pertaining to the ship or click on the adjacent Directory to download. 

We are delighted you have chosen the National Geographic Quest for your upcoming voyage and hope this information answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel.

SHIP TECHNICAL DETAILS

Passengers: 100
Cabins: 50
Decks: 4
Length: 73 metres
Width (Beam): 14 metres
Gross Tonnage: 2920
Speed: 10 knots
Registered: USA
Year Built: 2017

SHIP INFORMATION

AIR-CONDITIONING
The ship is air-conditioned throughout. Each cabin has its own thermostat, allowing you to control the temperature level in your cabin.

BRIDGE
Passengers are welcome to visit 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 wildlife. There may occasionally be times when the bridge must be restricted to shipboard personnel only.

CABIN INFORMATION
Accommodation on board is arranged over three decks and all cabins are outside facing with either portholes or windows. The cabins and suites are all spacious ranging in size from 12.6 to 17.3 square metres with en-suite bathroom. They feature comfortable twin beds that can be converted to a Queen; the twin beds measure 41 x 74 inches and the Queen beds measure 82 x 74 inches. Category 4 cabins feature sliding glass doors leading onto a private balcony. All cabins and suites feature a writing desk, two nightstands, full length mirror, wardrobe and hairdryer. Bathroom amenities include shampoo, shower gel and lotion as well as an Expedition Essential Kit with SPF15 lip balm.

Category 1 cabins are located on the Main Deck and feature two portholes. These cabins measure 12.6 square metres.
Category 2 cabins are located on the Main Deck and feature two portholes. These cabins measure 14.9 square metres.
Category 3 cabins are located on the Upper Deck and feature two windows. These cabins measure 14 square metres.
Category 4 cabins are located on the Upper Deck and feature a sliding glass door leading on to a small private balcony. These cabins measure 14 square metres.
Category 5 suites are located on the Upper Deck and feature two large windows, a convertible sofa bed and a wardrobe with extra space. These cabins measure 17.3 square metres.

CABIN KEYS
Keys are not issued and Lindblad Expeditions has always operated with a no-key policy. Experience has shown that keys are not necessary and a much more relaxed atmosphere prevails when cabins do not need to be locked. Cabin doors may be locked from the inside, however.

COMMUNICATIONS
The vessel features satellite internet access available through the purchase of an internet plan. Internet plans can be purchased through the onboard internet portal by connecting to the vessel’s Wi-Fi system. Telephone numbers for contacting the vessel are provided in your final documents. Additional information on making phone calls or sending/receiving eFaxes can be found on board in your cabin Guest Directory.

DAILY PROGRAMME
Each evening a copy of the following day’s daily programme will be placed in your cabin. Please remember that in remote areas or when weather conditions play an important role, the day’s events and timings may be altered. Flexibility is a must. If plans must be changed, you will be notified via the public address system.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free or low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department at Noble Caledonia. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods you require we recommend that you take some with you, although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board, please speak to the Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your requirements.

DINING
The onboard chefs prepare local cuisine using fresh ingredients whenever possible, including locally grown produce and sustainably caught seafood. Breakfast and lunch will feature different cold and hot options to choose from daily. Each evening, you will have the opportunity to choose between three dinner entrees – meat, fish, or vegetarian. Dinner choices will change on a nightly basis. Every morning there will be an early riser snack available in the Lounge before breakfast is served. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the lounge deck. When weather conditions allow, lighter fare may be served on the observation deck.

DOCTOR
There will be a doctor or medically trained professional aboard, and his or her services will be provided free of charge. They will be available at any time in case of an emergency.

DRESS CODE ON BOARD
The atmosphere aboard is casual, there is no expectation of any formal dress whatsoever; after all, it is an expedition.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Each cabin is equipped with 110 volt (standard American-style) outlets. Electric razors, hairdryers and other small appliances may be used in cabin outlets. We recommend that you take an adaptor with you. 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.

GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.

KAYAKS
The ship is equipped with a small fleet of one and two-person kayaks. The onboard naturalists will help novices learn this increasingly popular sport, while experts can explore further afield.

LAUNDRY
At an additional charge, the ship’s laundry will handle personal laundry and ironing. There are no facilities for dry cleaning on board.

LIFT
There is a lift on board that services all decks.

LOST PROPERTY
Before you disembark the ship, please check your cabin to ensure you do not leave anything behind. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection, and to advise of any associated costs.

LUGGAGE STORAGE
Your cabin has been designed so that luggage can be stored under your bed. There is space to hang and store clothing.

MAIL
Although the Purser will be happy to post letters on your behalf, they may not be able to do so straightaway or at the port of call at which you make such a request. Some postal services are unreliable and many letters or postcards that you ask to be delivered on your behalf may be delayed or even lost en-route.

ONBOARD ACCOUNT & CURRENCY
The ship is equipped with a point of sales system that will track your daily shipboard expenses. You may be asked to sign for certain items, and you will be presented with an itemised ship’s bill at the end of your voyage. Personal cheques issued by U.S. banks, travellers checks, U.S. Dollars, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted to settle accounts on board. The official currency on board is the U.S. Dollar. Due to currency regulations, re-exchange to dollars or from one local currency to another is not permitted.

PADDLEBOARDS
The ship is equipped with eight stand-up paddleboards, for a fun, active and unique perspective. The paddleboards are made in the USA of ultra-durable, eco-friendly materials by Glide Stand-up Paddleboards – the paradigm of the industry. They are custom built to Lindblad’s specifications for versatility and performance.

PRESENTATIONS
The Expedition Leader and naturalists will offer presentations throughout your expedition. Held in the lounge, presentations will cover a variety of topics and reflect what you are learning and experiencing both on land and at sea.

PUBLIC SPACES
The ship features a specially designed open bow and observation deck for gathering to watch for wildlife or enjoy an evening cocktail with friends in the open air. A lift accesses all decks, and public restrooms are available on each deck.

Lounge: The lounge is the heart of the vessel and where the cocktail hour and recap will be held each evening. It is also where you will gather for presentations, photography talks, and guest speaker presentations. Seating design takes advantage of the wraparound windows for an optimal view and boasts multiple high-definition screens for slideshows and videos. Forward lounge doors provide direct access to the bow. There is a small reference library with board games and cards.
Bar: The bar is typically open from 11.00 am until one hour after lunch begins and from 5.00 pm until closing. Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits are included aboard the National Geographic Quest. A selection of premium wines and spirits are also available for purchase. 
Bow: The ship features a specially designed bow observation area that accommodates all passengers at once for a shared wildlife viewing experience.
Mud room: Located aft on the main deck where you will embark and disembark Zodiacs, the mud room has lockers that provide convenient gear and boot storage.
Spa: Massages, body treatments, natural facial treatments, and hand and foot treatments are available in the LEXspa.
Fitness Centre: Conveniently located on the lounge deck, the fitness centre is outfitted with two treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, exercise bands, and sets of small hand weights.
Global Gallery: The global market is a collection of items made by local residents. It is conveniently located on the ship’s lounge deck. You may find silver jewellery crafted in Alaska, 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.

QUESTIONNAIRES
Your comments are important to us therefore before your cruise ends, you will receive a questionnaire. We are always looking for ways to improve your holiday and in order to do this we need some feedback from our guests.

SMOKING
Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is not permitted in guest cabins.

VALUABLES
The ship is not equipped with safety deposit boxes. We recommend that you leave jewellery and other valuables at home. Lindblad Expeditions does not accept responsibility or custody for any money or other valuables while on board.

ZODIACS
The Zodiacs will enable exploration of otherwise inaccessible places. The National Geographic Quest is outfitted with eight Mark V Zodiacs which are built entirely in the USA. These boats are of a superior, military grade construction with customised features like extra holds for passenger stability and topside treads to improve footing. Guests will embark and disembark via custom designed ladders to improve safety and ease of movement. A Zodiac safety briefing will be given on board.

Please note: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.