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 Explorer
National Geographic Resolution
Gross Tonnage
National Geographic Explorer
6,471 GT
National Geographic Resolution
12,300 GT
Length
National Geographic Explorer
108 m
National Geographic Resolution
126 m
Beam
National Geographic Explorer
16 m
National Geographic Resolution
21 m
Passengers
National Geographic Explorer
148
National Geographic Resolution
126
Crew
National Geographic Explorer
85
National Geographic Resolution
102
Decks
National Geographic Explorer
—
National Geographic Resolution
—
Year Built
National Geographic Explorer
1,982
National Geographic Resolution
2,021
Space Ratio
National Geographic Explorer
43.7 GT/pax
National Geographic Resolution
97.6 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
National Geographic Explorer
1.74 :1
National Geographic Resolution
1.24 :1
| Specification | National Geographic Explorer | National Geographic Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | Lindblad Expeditions | Lindblad Expeditions |
| Class | Expedition | Polar |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 1,982 | 2,021Winner |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 6,471 GT | 12,300 GTWinner |
| Length | 108 m | 126 mWinner |
| Beam | 16 m | 21 mWinner |
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 148Winner | 126 |
| Crew | 85 | 102Winner |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 43.7 GT/pax | 97.6 GT/paxWinner |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 1.74:1 | 1.24:1Winner |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Ulstein Hatlo | Ulstein |
| Flag | Bahamas | United States |
| IMO Number | 9005829 | 9828169 |
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
National Geographic Resolution
98 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
1.2:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Built in 2021 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
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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| Draft | 4 m | 10 mWinner |
| Decks | — | — |
