Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
across 5 categories
Size
Based on gross tonnage and length
Capacity
Based on passengers and crew
Modernity
Based on year built
Service
Based on passenger-to-crew ratio (lower is better)
Spaciousness
Based on gross tonnage per passenger (higher is better)
National Geographic Sea Lion
National Geographic Venture
Gross Tonnage
National Geographic Sea Lion
100 GT
National Geographic Venture
3,135 GT
Length
National Geographic Sea Lion
46 m
National Geographic Venture
73 m
Beam
National Geographic Sea Lion
10 m
National Geographic Venture
14 m
Passengers
National Geographic Sea Lion
62
National Geographic Venture
100
Crew
National Geographic Sea Lion
25
National Geographic Venture
52
Decks
National Geographic Sea Lion
—
National Geographic Venture
—
Year Built
National Geographic Sea Lion
1,982
National Geographic Venture
2,018
Space Ratio
National Geographic Sea Lion
1.6 GT/pax
National Geographic Venture
31.4 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
National Geographic Sea Lion
2.48 :1
National Geographic Venture
1.92 :1
| Specification | National Geographic Sea Lion | National Geographic Venture |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | Lindblad Expeditions | Lindblad Expeditions |
| Class | Expedition | Expedition |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 1,982 | 2,018Winner |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 100 GT | 3,135 GTWinner |
| Length | 46 m | 73 mWinner |
| Beam | 10 m | 14 mWinner |
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 62 | 100Winner |
| Crew | 25 | 52Winner |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 1.6 GT/pax | 31.4 GT/paxWinner |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 2.48:1 | 1.92:1Winner |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Whidbey Island | Nichols Brothers |
| Flag | United States | United States |
| IMO Number | 8314718 | 9763750 |
National Geographic Sea Lion
Good value for money
Comfortable atmosphere for two
Premium onboard experience
Well-suited for cruise newcomers
National Geographic Venture
Comfortable atmosphere for two
Built in 2018 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
1.9:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Good value for money
Free cancellation on most rooms
Bundle & save on your cruise trip
Medical, trip cancellation & luggage cover
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| Draft | — | — |
| Decks | — | — |
