Small Ship Cruises Canada

Accommodations Review

Sea Bird is an old ship but being small there is a great intimacy between naturalist and passengers while viewing wildlife.

Meals Review

Lindblad did a great job considering the ship has a very small kitchen.

Crew & Guides Review

Expedition Leader was excellent.

Crew & Guides Review

Expedition Leader was excellent.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew is very thorough and pleasant to work with. We are always telling friends about the wonderful job Andrew and Adventuresmith do in preparing our adventures.

Accommodations Review

The Venture is comfortable and well-maintained...There were only 28 passengers on the 100 passenger ship. With very few exceptions, we shared common interest in the activities and formed supportive relationships with each other.

Meals Review

The meals were creative with multiple options for different tastes or requirements. Special needs were graciously accommodated.

Crew & Guides Review

The entire leadership and guide staff was professional and so passionate about their work. Eric Guth and Alex Rubenstein were generous with their knowledge of photography and encouraging of our progress. Luke Manson and Patrick Webster enthusiastically shared videos of their underwater wildlife discoveries. Sharon Grainger’s and Ashli Akins’ love for the indigenous people groups was obvious.

Itinerary Review

Although I knew the itinerary going in, I would have preferred more time on and around the water, rather than in towns...I loved experiencing the area by kayak, as it was independent, peaceful, and up close. Hikes were divided into casual, moderate, and a new option for photo hikes, where guides shared their knowledge of lighting, composition and camera controls.

Transportation Review

Some of the cruise line’s pre-trip info was incorrect. They said there was no laundry service on the trip, but there was. They asked everyone to arrive at the hospitality suite by 2 for a city bus tour before the cruise. There was no tour so we didn’t need to be there until 3:30. John Delaney, Lindblad’s new Sr VP of Global Sales, joined the cruise in Victoria and was made aware of the miscommunication.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was always helpful in answering my questions.

Traveler Advice

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience British Columbia with Lindblad!

Accommodations Review

The Sea Bird is old and cabins are what they are, but still really good.  Get fitted sheets. Easier on stewards and passengers. But vessel was great. We knew what to expect so no surprises. The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition.

Meals Review

Amazing work given the limitations of the galley. Breakfast and lunch were perfect to fuel us up and keep us energized. Appetizers were a highlight. I very much liked the portion size at dinner. Soup needs work. Too much of same dark base. Think miso or chowder, but minor. Great baked goods.  Service was A+++ from Val on down.

Crew & Guides Review

No one better than Rab, Betty Lou and Linda. Gold standard. Rab shared personal experiences and emotions and displayed encyclopedic knowledge of every subject. Clone him. Betty Lou's talk on her career was fabulous. The whole team was knowledgeable, personable, helpful, available, great in crisis and enthusiastic. How can one be with Rab and not get excited about the events or with Linda, Betty Lou, Eryn and not learn? 

Photography staff was first rate. Brian and Drew knew everything and explained it clearly. Divers, Jim and Lynn, added a whole different dimension to our experience. Local guides were essential to understanding Haida and Kwakwaka wakaw cultures. And the Watchmen gave such authenticity to our experience. Loved Ranger Molly. Wow!!!! No weak individual on this team.

Itinerary Review

Haida Gwaii, Gwai Hannas, Old Massett, and Alert Bay were strong cultural experiences which made the whole trip worthwhile. The nature walks were well chosen and instructive. Sometimes after dinner talks were repetitious, but small issue.

Zodiak tours were uniformly outstanding and exciting. The excursion into the sea near the Hobbit Hole was a memory for all time as was Rabs talk about Vitas Bering and George Stellars. Whew, all good!!! Glacier visits were well done, awesome, and sobering to see the impacts of climate change. Potlach dances were highlight also as was the ability to meet Jim Hart and Christian White. Legendary and inspiring. Gwaii Hannas was magical.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was, as always, excellent. Made our trip prep easy. We would recommend AdventureSmith to friends and family without hesitation.

Traveler Advice

Embrace the experience. Pack lighter/take less. Read some history like Muir's Travels in Alaska, history of decimation of tribes by European exposure and books on Northwest art.

Accommodations Review

We were aware Sea Bird was very small, and therefore its cabins would be correspondingly small. The beds were too narrow to be comfortable and secured, especially on the days driving through rough water in the open ocean.  Ordinarily, this would not be a much problem because we spend most of the day in larger public rooms (i.e., lounge, library or gym).  Due to Covid we voluntarily wore masks at all time from the start of the expedition and stayed away from other passengers. Also, because it was Alaska, it was too cold to sit and spend any amount of time on the sun deck. So we spent a majority of time in our cabin, except for occasional spotting of whales and other wildlife or meals in the dining room. We realized we prefer bigger, newer ships with larger rooms and beds.

Meals Review

Steaks and beef dishes were excellent and much better than the other main courses, which was unexpected. Being on an “Alaska” cruise and we were looking forward to more seafood, especially fresh fish mains and King Crabs. Therefore, we were generally disappointed. Meals need to be improved like those on other Lindblad cruises.

Crew & Guides Review

Steve (expedition leader) and Linda (botanist) were both knowledgeable and friendly.  Michelle Leon (doctor on board) was very considerate, kind and friendly. We felt safe and confident with her and will go other expeditions anywhere with her.

Itinerary Review

The itineraries could have been enriched and improved by more Zodiac rides, hiking activities and kayak paddling chances since there were a plenty of opportunities and down time. By surveying the ship we quickly realized the cruise was geared toward older and less active passengers. We too are seniors, but much more active, very curious and interested in discovering the new...[We least enjoyed] the Petersburg town center visit - most of the stores and museums were closed because it was Sunday. This visit could have been planned/scheduled better to arrive on weekdays or Saturday.

COVID Logistics

Since it was the first trip after 3 years of the Covid outbreak, we considered it to be a good "practice run" before we will start really traveling like we used to prior to Covid.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

We can always rely on Andrew Browning. He is always very responsive, informative and very friendly. He carefully and timely informed us about the updates on Covid protocol, etc.

Traveler Advice

Alaska is a great destination and one should visit at least once in his/her lifetime.

Accommodations Review

I had sailed on Wilderness Discoverer before, so it was like coming home again.

Meals Review

The breakfast bacon on UnCruise ships is the best in the world, and I always eat more on my trips than I do all year at home. A big plate of perfectly ripe fruit available at the pre-breakfast made it easier to resist the two baked offerings that were there too. The variety and imaginative combinations of ingredients--who knew you could do so much with kale! Impressive how the single gluten intolerant guest had her requirements met at every meal.

Crew & Guides Review

Kelly was enthusiastic beyond words, and very knowledgeable. Our guide at Glacier Bay National Park who spent two days with us was a pleasure to have along, and I think she enjoyed us as much as we did her (sorry don't have her name) because we were a very receptive audience for all the information she had to share.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Adventure Specialist Andrew has arranged all my trips over the years, and he is as good as it gets. He even advised on which side of the ship was a better choice of cabin on this trip, and he was spot on.

Accommodations Review

Given tight quarters well done. Slow shower drain, leaving toilet area wet, not my favorite.

Meals Review

Variety, flavors, presentation wonderful.

Crew & Guides Review

The enthusiasm and knowledge of all guides added greatly to the trip.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Baggage and transfer handled smoothly. Over emphasis on the boots. Needed once and ankle high was plenty.