Leaves in 10 days$11,604/person
View Deal →National Geographic Islander II vs National Geographic Orion
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
National Geographic Islander II is the significantly larger vessel at 5,700 GT — 41% more than National Geographic Orion's 4,050 GT. National Geographic Islander II offers more personal space with a space ratio of 118.8 GT per passenger versus 39.7. Built in 2022, National Geographic Islander II is 19 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
National Geographic Islander II
National Geographic Orion
Size
5,700 GT
4,050 GT
Passengers
48
102
Year Built
2022
2003
Crew Ratio
1:1.4
1:1.4
Space Ratio
118.8
39.7
Decks
—
—
Length
91m
103m
From Price
$11,367/pp
$14,303/pp
Comparison Verdict
National Geographic Islander II is the significantly larger vessel at 5,700 GT — 41% more than National Geographic Orion's 4,050 GT. National Geographic Islander II offers more personal space with a space ratio of 118.8 GT per passenger versus 39.7. Built in 2022, National Geographic Islander II is 19 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | National Geographic Orion |
| Capacity | National Geographic Orion |
| Modernity | National Geographic Islander II |
| Service | National Geographic Orion |
| Spaciousness | National Geographic Islander II |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | National Geographic Orion |
| Fleet Power | National Geographic Orion |
Bottom line: National Geographic Orion leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose National Geographic Orion for overall superiority; pick National Geographic Islander II if Modernity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose National Geographic Islander II if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2022, 19yr newer)
- Size matters to you (5,700 GT)
- More space per guest (118.8 GT/pax)
- Save $2,936/person on sailings
Choose National Geographic Orion if...
- More onboard variety (102 guests)
- Better service ratio (1.4:1 crew ratio)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Islander II
Leaves in 10 days
Leaves in 15 days$11,367/person
View Deal →
Leaves in 15 days$12,154/person
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Orion
Linblad / Nat. Geo.Antarctica Direct: Fly The Drake Passage 9 Day
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Orion
Nov 19, 2026
$14,303/person
View Deal →
Linblad / Nat. Geo.Antarctica Direct: Fly The Drake Passage 10 Day
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Orion
Dec 20, 2026
$17,712/person
View Deal →
Linblad / Nat. Geo.Antarctica Direct: Fly The Drake Passage 9 Day
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Orion
Dec 27, 2026
$16,199/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.
