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 →American Queen vs National Geographic Orion
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
National Geographic Orion is the larger vessel at 4,050 GT — 9% more than American Queen's 3,707 GT. National Geographic Orion offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.7 GT per passenger versus 8.5. Built in 2003, National Geographic Orion is 8 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
American Queen
National Geographic Orion
Size
3,707 GT
4,050 GT
Passengers
436
102
Year Built
1995
2003
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:1.4
Space Ratio
8.5
39.7
Decks
—
—
Length
127m
103m
From Price
—
$14,303/pp
Comparison Verdict
National Geographic Orion is the larger vessel at 4,050 GT — 9% more than American Queen's 3,707 GT. National Geographic Orion offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.7 GT per passenger versus 8.5. Built in 2003, National Geographic Orion is 8 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | American Queen |
| Capacity | American Queen |
| Modernity | National Geographic Orion |
| Service | National Geographic Orion |
| Spaciousness | National Geographic Orion |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | American Queen |
| Fleet Power | American Queen |
Bottom line: American Queen leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose American Queen for overall superiority; pick National Geographic Orion if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose National Geographic Orion if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2003, 8yr newer)
- Size matters to you (4,050 GT)
- Better service ratio (1.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.7 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| American Queen | National Geographic Orion | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $14,303 pp |
| Departing | — | Nov 19 |
| Duration | — | null nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Orion
Linblad / Nat. Geo.
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
View Deal →Hotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
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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.
