5/26/2023
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Featured Articles
5/19/2023
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Photos of the Week, May 19, 2023
Alaskan landscapes, Amazonian wildlife, and the French Polynesian undersea were among the highlights of the photos sent in by our field staff this week.
In Brief
5/18/2023
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From Norway to Scotland
On our new 10-day Norwegian Fjords and Scottish Isles voyage, sail in the wake of Vikings between Norway’s breathtaking fjords and Scotland’s cliff-top castles and ancient ruins.
5/18/2023
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Expedition Spotlight: Exploring Fiordland National Park
In this new installment of Expedition Spotlight, Cultural Specialist Alexander Hillary shares his knowledge and passion for the spectacular natural paradise with guests aboard National Geographic Orion.
5/12/2023
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Photos of the Week, May 12, 2023
Across the Northern Hemisphere, spring is in full bloom, and our field staff captured many classic signs of the season: lush, green vegetation; birds of all shapes and sizes; and, of course, baby animals.
5/10/2023
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The Allure of Epic Voyages
Spanning from the South Pacific to South Africa, our extended-length journeys offer the chance to encounter wonderful wildlife, cultures that have developed in isolation, and remote shorelines.
Daily Expedition Reports
5/27/2023
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National Geographic Quest
Tracy Arm
At daybreak, National Geographic Quest was cutting through the icy waters of Tracy Arm Fjord, flanked by towering walls of sheer granite. In this space, our expedition vessel seems quite tiny, and scale becomes impossible to judge. On an overcast day like today, the mountain peaks climb right through the cloud cover. Guests breakfasted in the shadow of Sawyer Glacier with waterfalls in every direction. Not a bad way to start the day! Being in position so early in the day gave us the opportunity to offer extra activities. Those who chose to get a little closer to the water had the opportunity to paddle out in kayaks to view the glacier’s face. Anyone who was still a bit sore from our adventurous day in Petersburg had the option of a guided cruise with one of our naturalists. For much of the staff, our daily tasks only add to the anticipation of our visit to South Sawyer Glacier. South Sawyer is a towering wall of blue ice hanging in the tides that always offers an extraordinary viewing experience. Guests were quite vocal about their enjoyment of the morning as they entered photos for the guest slideshow, prepared for disembarkation, and enjoyed lunch. However, the staff was well aware that the best was yet to come. As we left National Geographic Quest , we traveled through geologic history, through an empty trail blazed by millions of pounds of ice. Sheer cliffs of granite gave way to twisting masses of metamorphic rock until we could go no further due to the floating field of ice. Upon the ice in the distance, we started to make out harbor seals, and not just a few but dozens. This year’s mothers were resting safely on the ice as the birthing season fast approaches. The booming of calving ice inside the glacier echoed throughout the fjord as we waited. Eventually we saw a few small bits splashing into the water from the face of the glacier. Then, we saw what we were waiting for. A spire of blue ice the size of an apartment building crashed into the water below, drawing applause from the boats floating near one another. But wait! Before we knew it, we were being charged by a merry band of pirates! The ship’s hotel staff snuck up on us in bearded disguise with a boat delivery of hot chocolate. Spiked drinks were available for those interested. After all were on board, we rested briefly before preparing for the Polar Plunge! A few brave souls opted to swim between Zodiacs in the icy waters of Tracy Arm before dinner was served. Our night ended with our ship pointed toward Juneau as the world premiere of the guest slideshow played on the screens in the lounge. We heard lots of laughs and lots of “ooohs” and “ahhhs” before a final round of applause to end the night. It was a perfect last day to end an unbelievable adventure.
5/26/2023
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National Geographic Quest
Cascade Creek and Petersburg
We began our day by hiking into a forest dripping with rainwater, fragrant pink spruce cones, and hanging lichens. A tumbling waterfall captured everyone’s attention, no matter their photographic inclination. We just couldn’t look away. To top it off, we were graced by the presence of a magical bird called the American dipper, or the water ouzal. She proudly perched on a rock for all to see, blinking her feathered eyelids and doing her dipper dance. Dippers are the only diving songbirds in North America, and as such, they are objectively awesome. Petersburg, Alaska was the site of our afternoon activities. These included bike riding, a cultural tour, muskeg hikes, an ambitious hike to Raven’s Roost, and / or the option of exploring town independently. This was our first visit back into civilization since setting sail. Of course, there was a mad dash to the one and only Petersburg bookstore, which offers a variety of local crafts and books that capture the essence of this unique region. Animal-themed zipper pulls are an especially popular treasure. The day concluded with recap, including presentations about sharks of the Pacific Northwest, the love lives of Dungeness crabs, and the life history of American dippers. Following a robust crab dinner, undersea specialist Rachel Crane delivered an evening presentation that highlighted dive footage from a plankton-rich site along our voyage. We went off to bed and dreamt sea star dreams.
5/25/2023
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National Geographic Venture
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Today’s expedition in Glacier Bay offered our guests a remarkable experience, showcasing the breathtaking wildlife and natural wonders of this pristine region. Despite some rainy weather, our guests were treated to a series of incredible sightings, making it a memorable day. Our first stop was Margerie Glacier, where we had the pleasure of observing some small glacier calving before moving on to explore a channel behind Russel Island. As we approached the area, our sharp-eyed staff spotted a lone wolf gracefully navigating the rocky terrain. Its sleek black and grey coat blended beautifully with the surrounding landscape, providing a striking sight for all on board. Guests observed the wolf for a few minutes before we caught sight of a magnificent brown bear at the opposite end of the beach. With its thick fur glistening in the rain, the bear seemed unperturbed by our presence, foraging for food among the vegetation. Our guests watched in awe as the bear lumbered down the beach. Adding to the already impressive wildlife sightings, we were treated to the sight of mountain goats gracefully scaling the steep cliffs of Gloomy Knob. These sure-footed creatures effortlessly navigated the rugged terrain, showcasing their impressive agility and adaptability. As the afternoon progressed, we ventured farther through Glacier Bay and were rewarded with an awe-inspiring encounter with lunge-feeding humpback whales. The weather may have been rainy, but the sight of these magnificent creatures more than made up for it. The humpback whales gracefully arched their massive bodies, propelling themselves through the water to capture shoals of fish before plunging back down into the depths. Despite the challenging weather conditions, today's expedition in Glacier Bay proved to be a truly remarkable experience. The sightings of a lone wolf, brown bear, mountain goats, and lunge-feeding humpback whales provided our guests with an incredible opportunity to witness the diverse and awe-inspiring wildlife that thrives in this remarkable ecosystem.
5/25/2023
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National Geographic Quest
Chatham Strait and Keku Islands
We woke this morning to the rushing sound of Kasnyku Falls. The captain positioned the ship perfectly for us to take selfies with the beautiful waterfall cascading down the mountainside behind us. Some of us were lucky enough to get a very brief sighting of a brown bear waltzing across the front of the falls. We reluctantly left the falls so we could make tracks to continue to the next adventure scheduled for the afternoon. It was a relaxing morning with an amazing talk by Luke Manson about the evolution of humpback whales. After lunch, we started activities in the rainy Keku Islands. We became one with the weather and enjoyed an afternoon kayaking and doing Zodiac tours. Harlequin ducks, a mink, and a bald eagle nest were some of the highlights. The Global Explores had a lesson on driving the Zodiacs, and each took a turn driving the other explorers around National Geographic Quest as the proud parents took pictures of the next generation that will assume our jobs. Zoey Greenberg, National Geographic field educator, told the young explorers to hold on and took the tiller for an exciting ride to the cheering delight of the kids. We all made our way back to the ship. We looked like we had showered under the Kasnyku Falls after a long day in the Alaskan “liquid sunshine.”
5/25/2023
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National Geographic Islander II
Santiago Island
Santiago Island played an important role in the history of the Galápagos Islands, as it was one of the first islands visited by Charles Darwin during his famous voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1835. The island is protected as part of the Galápagos National Park, which was established in 1959 to preserve the unique biodiversity of the islands. We woke up anchored at Buccaneer Cove. Also known as Caleta Bucanero, Buccaneer Cove is located on the northeastern coast of Santiago Island. It was named after the pirates who used to anchor their ships in the cove during the 18th and 19th centuries. The cove is known for its impressive rock formations, which were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Our guests had the opportunity to do a pre-breakfast kayak outing to witness not only the amazing scenery but also a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, marine iguanas, and various species of birds. After a delicious breakfast, we got ready for water activities. Guests enjoyed snorkeling, kayaking, and tours in the glass-bottom boat for those who didn’t feel comfortable in the ocean. These tours are referred to as dry snorkeling. After activities and talks on board, we navigated to a different destination on the island. Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay, is located on the western coast of Santiago Island. It is known for its black sand beach and its unique geological formations, which were created by lava flows. Some of our guests decided to stay on the beach and enjoy their last snorkel of the expedition. Others went for a great walk along the coastline. They explored the island’s natural beauty and observed the wildlife, including sea lions, iguanas, finches, and a variety of bird species. What a fantastic last day we had, and what a great way of ending this wonderful expedition.