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
World Explorer
Gross Tonnage
Ocean Explorer
8,000 GT
World Explorer
9,300 GT
Length
Ocean Explorer
104.4 m
World Explorer
126 m
Beam
Ocean Explorer
18.4 m
World Explorer
19 m
Passengers
Ocean Explorer
138
World Explorer
176
Crew
Ocean Explorer
92
World Explorer
112
Decks
Ocean Explorer
6
World Explorer
—
Year Built
Ocean Explorer
2,021
World Explorer
2,019
Space Ratio
Ocean Explorer
58.0 GT/pax
World Explorer
52.8 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
Ocean Explorer
1.50 :1
World Explorer
1.57 :1
| Specification | Ocean Explorer | World Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | Quark Expeditions | Quark Expeditions |
| Class | Expedition | Expedition |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 2,021Winner | 2,019 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 8,000 GT | 9,300 GTWinner |
| Length | 104.4 m | 126 mWinner |
| Beam | 18.4 m | 19 mWinner |
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 138 | 176Winner |
| Crew | 92 | 112Winner |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 58.0 GT/paxWinner | 52.8 GT/pax |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 1.50:1Winner | 1.57:1 |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Brodogradiliste Uljanik | WestSea |
| Flag | Bahamas | Portugal |
| IMO Number | 9887066 | 9861680 |
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
World Explorer
53 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
1.6:1 passenger-crew ratio means exceptional service
Built in 2019 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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| Draft | 6.7 m | — |
| Decks | 6 | — |
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