Eight dates on the calendar, and a final season
Our inventory counts eight departure dates for this ship. It is the lowest
figure in the whole fleet, and there is a reason: the National Geographic Sea Lion
is running her final season in 2026. In December 2025 the line announced her
withdrawal, alongside her twin's, after that year. Another hull takes over the
Alaska itineraries from 2027.
Early-1980s hull, built in Washington State, under United States flag. Sources
hesitate between 1981 and 1982. Forty-six metres, three decks, 31 cabins, 62
travellers, last reported refit in 2014.
What forty-five years of service leave behind
A shallow draught giving access to areas closed to larger ships, and that is
this hull's reason for being. Against it: no lift across three decks, very few
public spaces, one dining room with a single seating per meal, and no evening
entertainment beyond the naturalists' talks.
On accessibility, the professional wording is direct: there is no lift, so this
is not an appropriate choice for a traveller in a wheelchair. We repeat it as
it stands.
Crew gratuities are not included and there is no National Geographic
photographer aboard. The line writes that a medical professional is present where
applicable; a reseller source states there is no doctor on this type of ship, the
first officer being a certified emergency medical technician. Both formulations
are compatible, and that is precisely what "where applicable" means.
The other ships in the fleet
The National Geographic Venture and the National Geographic Quest are the recent coastal ships, with lifts on every deck. The
National Geographic Explorer and the National Geographic Endurance cover the polar regions.
The fare in detail
Aboard and ashore, the fare covers meals, the outings of the expedition
programme, use of the Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear, park
entrance fees, special access permits, port taxes and the scheduled airport
transfers. Alcohol is included aboard, except on four ships the line names
explicitly.
Two structural exclusions. International air travel is not included; some
essential internal flights are, when the itinerary says so. And crew gratuities
are included on four ships only: the Endurance, the Resolution, the Explorer and
the Orion. On the other eight they remain at your discretion and on your
account.
The National Geographic photographer follows the same list of four ships.
Everywhere else a certified photo instructor fills that role. We spell this out
because the difference appears nowhere on the ship pages, and it matters to
anyone booking primarily for the photography.
Basic Wi-Fi is included. In Antarctica, the Arctic and parts of the
Galapagos, the link depends on satellite and weather: no guarantee of
service.
Life aboard, without the decor
These are expedition ships, not cruise ships. One dining room, one seating, no
butler, no free-flowing champagne, no chandeliers. A professional review puts it
bluntly: anyone hoping for that will be disappointed. What you get instead are
naturalists, an open bridge and outings twice a day.
The programme is decided day by day, according to ice, wind and wildlife.
Landings are by Zodiac, sometimes with feet in the water, from an unstable
craft.
No wheelchair-accessible cabin is documented on any ship in the fleet, and
the line publishes no accessibility policy. Some ships have a lift, several do
not, and on one of them the lift does not even reach the mudroom. Any booking
for a traveller with limited mobility must be confirmed in writing.
Arranging this trip from Quebec
International air travel is not included in the expedition fare. Some internal
flights essential to the route are, when the itinerary states it explicitly.
Plan a night ahead before embarkation, two if the time difference is large.
That margin is used exactly once, but on that day it saves the trip. Keep the
return day free as well.
We build the complete file — flight, expedition, hotels, transfers, insurance
— under the protection of Quebec's compensation fund for travel agency
customers. One call is enough to check what the season really allows.
