Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
across 5 categories
Size
Based on gross tonnage and length
Capacity
Based on passengers and crew
Modernity
Based on year built
Service
Based on passenger-to-crew ratio (lower is better)
Spaciousness
Based on gross tonnage per passenger (higher is better)
National Geographic Endurance
National Geographic Explorer
Gross Tonnage
National Geographic Endurance
12,300 GT
National Geographic Explorer
6,471 GT
Length
National Geographic Endurance
126 m
National Geographic Explorer
108 m
Beam
National Geographic Endurance
21 m
National Geographic Explorer
16 m
Passengers
National Geographic Endurance
126
National Geographic Explorer
148
Crew
National Geographic Endurance
102
National Geographic Explorer
85
Decks
National Geographic Endurance
—
National Geographic Explorer
—
Year Built
National Geographic Endurance
2,020
National Geographic Explorer
1,982
Space Ratio
National Geographic Endurance
97.6 GT/pax
National Geographic Explorer
43.7 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
National Geographic Endurance
1.24 :1
National Geographic Explorer
1.74 :1
| Specification | National Geographic Endurance | National Geographic Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | Lindblad Expeditions | Lindblad Expeditions |
| Class | Polar | Expedition |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 2,020Winner | 1,982 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 12,300 GTWinner | 6,471 GT |
| Length | 126 mWinner | 108 m |
| Beam | 21 mWinner | |
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 126 | 148Winner |
| Crew | 102Winner | 85 |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 97.6 GT/paxWinner | 43.7 GT/pax |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 1.24:1Winner | 1.74:1 |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Ulstein | Ulstein Hatlo |
| Flag | United States | Bahamas |
| IMO Number | 9828157 | 9005829 |
National Geographic Endurance
98 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
1.2:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Built in 2020 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
Good range of onboard options
National Geographic Explorer
44 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
1.7:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Well-suited for cruise newcomers
Good range of onboard options
Free cancellation on most rooms
Bundle & save on your cruise trip
Medical, trip cancellation & luggage cover
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16 m |
| Draft | — | 4 m |
| Decks | — | — |
