The
Sea Bird is a very simple 100-ton, 152-ft shallow-draft vessel taking just 62 passengers. She runs creative itineraries along the Baja California coast (with whale-watching a highlight), Columbia and Snake rivers (from the Pacific, through locks and dams to Hell's Canyon in Idaho), and Alaska's Inside Passage (with its mountains, forests and glaciers).
The Baja cruises may be combined with a multiday rail trip deep into Mexico's Copper Canyon. Lindblad is a top operator in the expedition field, and its professionalism more than makes up for the ship's basic accommodations. Built in 1982, this vessel has 22 young, enthusiastic American staffers serving 62 passengers.
Lars-Eric Lindblad began expedition-style cruising over 40 years ago, and his son Sven-Olof carries on the family tradition with a wide range of destinations now in conjunction with the National Geographic Society who provide some of the naturalists and photographers who offer courses in natural history and photography.
The cruises attract mature, active Americans interested in close-up-to-nature whale, bird, and other animal watching along the Baja and American coasts and waterways. Recently, Lindblad has been targeting families on selected itineraries by offering lots of active children's activities aboard and ashore.
Programs include Alaska from May to the end of August with weekly departures from Juneau or Sitka, and all trips sailing into Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm for South Sawyer Glacier. Land extensions are Denali National Park for Mount McKinley and the Kenai Peninsula for rafting, fishing and hiking. Positioning cruises at the beginning and end of the seaon operate along the Inside Passage between Seattle and Juneau. A short season of Columbia-Snake river cruises operate in October and early November from Portland, Oregon downstream to the Pacific breakers and up to Hells Canyon in Idaho. In winter, Baja California cruises come in several lengths, some excusively sailing in the Sea or Cortez and others head around the bottom of Baja for whale-watching along the Pacific coast.
The cruises that venture in open ocean can be bouncy in rough weather. A doctor accompanies the Baja cruises and wet suits are availble. On all cruises, naturalists with a range of scientific interests give informal talks in the lounge before dinner, show films and operate the Zodiacs. Passengers also have use of sea kayaks.
The rudimentary offerings include a forward lounge and bar, a dining room amidships, a narrow promenade, and a partly covered sun deck with gym exercise equipment. Facilities are available to show films and PowerPoint presentations. The well-prepared American food is nutritious, and the naturalists join guests at open-sitting meals, extending the environmental experience. Breakfast is buffet-style, lunch is family-style and dinner is served.
The very modest cabins are all tiny outsides with windows. The smallest are on Lower Deck, and Bridge Deck and Upper Deck cabins open to a side promenade that gives quick access to the action and also provides more feeling of space. In warm weather some passengers like to keep their doors open to bring in the fresh air. They have adequate stowage and baths with small showers. The ship is also equipped with a bow camera, hydrophone and underwater video camera.
The Sea Bird is the antithesis of a luxury liner, but her excursions are top of the line. Past passengers know what to expect, first-timers quickly fall into line, and almost everyone ends up having a great time. Competition would include Cruise West, though Lindblad’s naturalist prigram is better and the activities off the boat more creative.
