These ships, which sail the Arctic, Antarctic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and more, are "kind of basic but suitably nautical, with lots of wood." Cabins are small "yet more than adequate, and the library is perfect for coffee or reading." Meals are taken in one open seating, sometimes as part of theme dinners—as in an Ecuadorean meal served on a Galápagos cruise. Expeditions are geared toward adventurers: In Antarctica, "you go kayaking, with penguins jumping and seals swimming all around you"; in the Canary Islands, "you hike into a cloud forest." A partnership with the National Geographic Society means onboard photographers and naturalists "whose enthusiasm is infectious and knowledge top-notch." In 2008, the polar vessel National Geographic Explorer joined the fleet, and the line launched a Chefs at Sea program, offering cooking demos and trips to local markets.