Leaves in 10 days$11,604/person
View Deal →National Geographic Islander II vs Silver Explorer
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Silver Explorer is the larger vessel at 6,072 GT — 7% 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 46.0. Built in 2022, National Geographic Islander II is 33 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
Silver Explorer
Size
5,700 GT
6,072 GT
Passengers
48
132
Year Built
2022
1989
Crew Ratio
1:1.4
1:1.1
Space Ratio
118.8
46.0
Decks
—
—
Length
91m
108m
From Price
$11,367/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
Silver Explorer is the larger vessel at 6,072 GT — 7% 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 46.0. Built in 2022, National Geographic Islander II is 33 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Silver Explorer |
| Capacity | Silver Explorer |
| Modernity | National Geographic Islander II |
| Service | Silver Explorer |
| Spaciousness | National Geographic Islander II |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Silver Explorer |
| Fleet Power | Silver Explorer |
Bottom line: Silver Explorer leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Silver Explorer 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, 33yr newer)
- More space per guest (118.8 GT/pax)
Choose Silver Explorer if...
- Size matters to you (6,072 GT)
- More onboard variety (132 guests)
- Better service ratio (1.1:1 crew ratio)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| National Geographic Islander II | Silver Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $11,367 pp | — |
| Departing | Aug 13 | — |
| 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.
