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 →National Geographic Orion vs Royal Clipper
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Royal Clipper is the significantly larger vessel at 5,061 GT — 25% more than National Geographic Orion's 4,050 GT. National Geographic Orion offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.7 GT per passenger versus 22.3. Built in 2003, National Geographic Orion is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 3 – 4
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
National Geographic Orion
Royal Clipper
Size
4,050 GT
5,061 GT
Passengers
102
227
Year Built
2003
2000
Crew Ratio
1:1.4
1:2.1
Space Ratio
39.7
22.3
Decks
—
—
Length
103m
134m
From Price
$14,303/pp
—
Comparison Verdict
Royal Clipper is the significantly larger vessel at 5,061 GT — 25% more than National Geographic Orion's 4,050 GT. National Geographic Orion offers more personal space with a space ratio of 39.7 GT per passenger versus 22.3. Built in 2003, National Geographic Orion is 3 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Royal Clipper |
| Capacity | Royal Clipper |
| Modernity | National Geographic Orion |
| Service | National Geographic Orion |
| Spaciousness | National Geographic Orion |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Royal Clipper |
| Fleet Power | Royal Clipper |
Bottom line: Royal Clipper leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Royal Clipper for overall superiority; pick National Geographic Orion if Modernity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose National Geographic Orion if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2003, 3yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (39.7 GT/pax)
Choose Royal Clipper if...
- Size matters to you (5,061 GT)
- More onboard variety (227 guests)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Sailing Prices
| National Geographic Orion | Royal Clipper | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
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.
