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Ship comparison

AmaKristina vs National Geographic Explorer

The verdict

Which should you choose?

AmaKristina is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 158 passengers, in service since 2017. National Geographic Explorer is an intimate Lindblad Expeditions ship carrying 148 passengers, in service since 1982.

Choose AmaKristina if you want a newer ship, a lower starting fare or a more romantic trip: it outscores National Geographic Explorer for romantic (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2017 (vs 1982) and its cruises start from $3,099 (vs $6,200).

Choose National Geographic Explorer if you want more adventure and nature, more space per passenger or more crew per passenger: it outscores AmaKristina for adventure & nature (10.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 43.7 gross tons per passenger (vs 22.2) and it has a crew member for every 1.7 passengers (vs 3.1).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

AmaKristinaNational Geographic Explorer
Cruise line AmaWaterways Lindblad Expeditions
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2017 (better) 1982
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2008
Gross tonnage 3,500 6,471
Passengers 158 148
Crew 51 86
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.1 1.7 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 22.2 43.7 (better)
Cabins 79
Decks 4 6
Length 443 ft 367 ft
Beam 38 ft 52 ft
Speed 21 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 10 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 19 35
Upcoming sailings 78 146
Cruise lengths 7 nights 5–20 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $3,099 (better) $6,200

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. AmaKristina leads on 2 of the ten, National Geographic Explorer on 7, with 1 level.

  • Active AmaKristina: 8.0 National Geographic Explorer: 10.0
  • Adventure & nature AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 10.0
  • Cultural AmaKristina: 7.0 National Geographic Explorer: 8.0
  • Dining AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 4.9
  • Entertainment AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 6.0
  • Family friendly AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 8.0
  • Party AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 5.0
  • Romantic AmaKristina: 6.0 National Geographic Explorer: 5.0
  • Spa & fitness AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 6.0
  • Staterooms AmaKristina: 5.0 National Geographic Explorer: 8.0

Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic Explorer

Inaugurated in 2008, National Geographic Explorer is the world’s ultimate expedition ship. The embodiment of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic alliance, its design and equipment are the result of almost 200 years of collective expedition experience.

Sailing now

35 cruises on sale, from $6,200.

Questions

AmaKristina or National Geographic Explorer?

Which is bigger, AmaKristina or National Geographic Explorer?

National Geographic Explorer is bigger at 6,471 gross tons, against 3,500 gross tons for AmaKristina. AmaKristina carries 158 passengers and National Geographic Explorer carries 148.

Which ship is newer, AmaKristina or National Geographic Explorer?

AmaKristina is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2017 against 1982 for National Geographic Explorer.

Which has more space per passenger?

National Geographic Explorer, with 43.7 gross tons per passenger against 22.2 on AmaKristina. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

National Geographic Explorer, with one crew member for every 1.7 passengers against one for every 3.1 on AmaKristina.

Which is better for families?

National Geographic Explorer scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 5.0 for AmaKristina.

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