Spots going fastArctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords To East Greenland
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Explorer
Aug 2, 2026
$10,129/person
View Deal →National Geographic Explorer vs National Geographic Islander II
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
National Geographic Explorer is the larger vessel at 6,471 GT — 14% more than National Geographic Islander II's 5,700 GT. National Geographic Islander II offers more personal space with a space ratio of 118.8 GT per passenger versus 43.7. Built in 2022, National Geographic Islander II is 40 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic Islander II
Size
6,471 GT
5,700 GT
Passengers
148
48
Year Built
1982
2022
Crew Ratio
1:1.7
1:1.4
Space Ratio
43.7
118.8
Decks
—
—
Length
108m
91m
From Price
$10,129/pp
$11,367/pp
Comparison Verdict
National Geographic Explorer is the larger vessel at 6,471 GT — 14% more than National Geographic Islander II's 5,700 GT. National Geographic Islander II offers more personal space with a space ratio of 118.8 GT per passenger versus 43.7. Built in 2022, National Geographic Islander II is 40 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | National Geographic Explorer |
| Capacity | National Geographic Explorer |
| Modernity | National Geographic Islander II |
| Service | National Geographic Islander II |
| Spaciousness | National Geographic Islander II |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | National Geographic Explorer |
| Fleet Power | National Geographic Explorer |
Bottom line: National Geographic Explorer leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose National Geographic Explorer for overall superiority; pick National Geographic Islander II if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose National Geographic Explorer if...
- Size matters to you (6,471 GT)
- More onboard variety (148 guests)
- Save $1,238/person on sailings
Choose National Geographic Islander II if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2022, 40yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (118.8 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Explorer
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Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Explorer
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View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Islander II
Leaves in 10 days$11,604/person
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Leaves in 15 days$11,367/person
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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.
