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)
Ocean Explorer
Sylvia Earle
Gross Tonnage
Ocean Explorer
8,000 GT
Sylvia Earle
8,000 GT
Length
Ocean Explorer
104.4 m
Sylvia Earle
104 m
Beam
Ocean Explorer
18.4 m
Sylvia Earle
18 m
Passengers
Ocean Explorer
138
Sylvia Earle
132
Crew
Ocean Explorer
92
Sylvia Earle
85
Decks
Ocean Explorer
6
Sylvia Earle
—
Year Built
Ocean Explorer
2,021
Sylvia Earle
2,022
Space Ratio
Ocean Explorer
58.0 GT/pax
Sylvia Earle
60.6 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
Ocean Explorer
1.50 :1
Sylvia Earle
1.55 :1
| Specification | Ocean Explorer | Sylvia Earle |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | Quark Expeditions | Aurora Expeditions |
| Class | Expedition | Expedition |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 2,021 | 2,022Winner |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 8,000 GT | 8,000 GT |
| Length | 104.4 mWinner | 104 m |
| Beam | 18.4 mWinner | 18 m |
| Draft | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 138Winner | 132 |
| Crew | 92Winner | 85 |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 58.0 GT/pax | 60.6 GT/paxWinner |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 1.50:1Winner | 1.55:1 |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Brodogradiliste Uljanik | SunStone Ships |
| Flag | Bahamas | Bahamas |
| IMO Number | 9887066 | 9867868 |
Ocean Explorer
58 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
1.5:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Built in 2021 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
Good range of onboard options
Sylvia Earle
61 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
1.6:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Built in 2022 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
Good range of onboard options
Free cancellation on most rooms
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Medical, trip cancellation & luggage cover
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6.7 mWinner |
4.4 m |
| Decks | 6 | — |
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