Leaves in 14 days$8,781/person
View Deal →National Geographic Quest vs National Geographic Sea Lion
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
National Geographic Quest is the significantly larger vessel at 3,135 GT — 3035% more than National Geographic Sea Lion's 100 GT. National Geographic Quest offers more personal space with a space ratio of 31.4 GT per passenger versus 1.6. Built in 2017, National Geographic Quest is 35 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 7 – 0
Quick Compare
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Category
National Geographic Quest
National Geographic Sea Lion
Size
3,135 GT
100 GT
Passengers
100
62
Year Built
2017
1982
Crew Ratio
1:1.9
1:2.5
Space Ratio
31.4
1.6
Decks
—
—
Length
73m
46m
From Price
$8,781/pp
$5,649/pp
Comparison Verdict
National Geographic Quest is the significantly larger vessel at 3,135 GT — 3035% more than National Geographic Sea Lion's 100 GT. National Geographic Quest offers more personal space with a space ratio of 31.4 GT per passenger versus 1.6. Built in 2017, National Geographic Quest is 35 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | National Geographic Quest |
| Capacity | National Geographic Quest |
| Modernity | National Geographic Quest |
| Service | National Geographic Quest |
| Spaciousness | National Geographic Quest |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | National Geographic Quest |
| Fleet Power | National Geographic Quest |
Bottom line: National Geographic Quest leads 7–0 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose National Geographic Quest for overall superiority; pick National Geographic Sea Lion if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose National Geographic Quest if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2017, 35yr newer)
- Size matters to you (3,135 GT)
- More onboard variety (100 guests)
- Better service ratio (1.9:1 crew ratio)
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Quest
Upcoming Sailings on National Geographic Sea Lion
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Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Sea Lion
Aug 3, 2026
$6,138/person
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Spots going fastAlaska Escape: Haines, The Inian Islands And Tracy Arm Fjord
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Sea Lion
Aug 8, 2026
$6,138/person
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Leaves in 12 daysAlaska Escape: Haines, The Inian Islands And Tracy Arm Fjord
Linblad / Nat. Geo. • National Geographic Sea Lion
Aug 13, 2026
$5,649/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.
