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National Geographic Venture to debut in San Francisco

(Photo: Lindblad Expeditions)
National Geographic Venture - a platform for discovery
Scheduled for delivery in October, the 100-passenger National Geographic Venture will be inaugurated in San Francisco and sail two Pacific coast itineraries before beginning its seasons in Baja, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

The coastal ship is the sister of 2017's National Geographic Quest.

Following a series of launch celebrations in San Francisco, National Geographic Venture will depart on two new inaugural cruises that explore the Pacific coast.

Sail with Sven Lindblad

'Coastal California by Sea' flips the California script as National Geographic Venture explores the beauty and the seldom-seen highlights of its coast and islands—joined by Sven Lindblad, CEO and founder of Lindblad Expeditions. Departing San Francisco on Dec. 2, the five-night journey connects Northern and Southern California, from the Golden Gate to Santa Catalina Island.

Highlights include a sunset cocktail cruise around San Francisco Bay and behind-the-scenes access to Northern California's acclaimed Monterey Bay Aquarium and Southern California's architecturally stellar Catalina Casino. The ship will explore the wildlife and wonders that lie beyond the bright lights of California’s famous cities and visit coastal sites and islands including Angel Island, Sausalito, Monterey and Point Lobos, Avila Beach and Catalina Island.

Rates begin at $3,800 per person, double occupancy.

From Los Angeles to La Paz

The second inaugural voyage, 'From Southern California to Baja: Sailing the Pacific Coast,' departs Dec. 7. Passengers will experience the surprising diversity of the Pacific coast as the Venture travels from Los Angeles to La Paz, Mexico, on a 12-night adventure.

They'll discover the region’s world-renowned food and wine, including a private lunch at a boutique vineyard in the Valle de Guadalupe. Snorkeling in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, teeming with marine life, and meeting the residents of Isla Natividad, a successful coop within the Vizcaino Biosphere, are other highlights. Travelers can also hang out with naturalists as they scour the horizon for migrating whales and nesting birds.

Rates begin at $9,120.

Photography, kayaking, hiking

A platform for discovery, National Geographic Venture has a lounge that provides a moving window on the world, while the bow is the perfect place for photography with a Lindblad-National Geographic-certified photo instructor. Zodiacs are dropped to get close to marine mammals and the shoreline, and the captain will change course to keep the ship among a pod of dolphins.

Travelers can kayak past nesting birds and dramatic coasts, snorkel with sea lions and see schools of baitfish and colorful reef fish. Those who crave exercise can take a long hike with the wellness specialist or choose a short, slower walk with time for a naturalist to share the local medicinal uses of plants along the way.

The ship will also feature the B&H photo gear loaner program, letting passengers try the latest lenses, camera bodies and binoculars.