Spots going fastArctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords To East Greenland
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Explorer
Aug 2, 2026
$10,129/person
View Deal →Douglas Mawson vs National Geographic Explorer
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Douglas Mawson is the significantly larger vessel at 8,500 GT — 31% more than National Geographic Explorer's 6,471 GT. Douglas Mawson offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 43.7. Built in 2025, Douglas Mawson is 43 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Douglas Mawson
National Geographic Explorer
Size
8,500 GT
6,471 GT
Passengers
154
148
Year Built
2025
1982
Crew Ratio
1:1.6
1:1.7
Space Ratio
55.2
43.7
Decks
—
—
Length
105m
108m
From Price
—
$10,129/pp
Comparison Verdict
Douglas Mawson is the significantly larger vessel at 8,500 GT — 31% more than National Geographic Explorer's 6,471 GT. Douglas Mawson offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 43.7. Built in 2025, Douglas Mawson is 43 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | National Geographic Explorer |
| Capacity | Douglas Mawson |
| Modernity | Douglas Mawson |
| Service | Douglas Mawson |
| Spaciousness | Douglas Mawson |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | National Geographic Explorer |
| Fleet Power | Douglas Mawson |
Bottom line: Douglas Mawson leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Capacity. Choose Douglas Mawson for overall superiority; pick National Geographic Explorer if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Douglas Mawson if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2025, 43yr newer)
- Size matters to you (8,500 GT)
- More onboard variety (154 guests)
- Better service ratio (1.6:1 crew ratio)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Douglas Mawson | National Geographic Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $10,129 pp |
| Departing | — | Aug 2 |
| Duration | — | null nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data — gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better — more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes — up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
