AmaWaterways
AmaMelodia
- Cruises
- 0
- From
- —
Ship comparison
AmaMelodia vs National Geographic Sea Lion
Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Sea Lion
- Cruises
- 2
- From
- $4,778
The verdict
Which should you choose?
AmaMelodia is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 64 passengers, in service since 2025. National Geographic Sea Lion is an intimate Lindblad Expeditions ship carrying 62 passengers, in service since 1982. AmaMelodia has no Bliss scores or specs yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.
Choose AmaMelodia if you want a newer ship or more crew per passenger: its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 1982) and it has a crew member for every 2.1 passengers (vs 2.6).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| AmaMelodia | National Geographic Sea Lion | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways | Lindblad Expeditions |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 1982 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | — | 2014 |
| Gross tonnage | — | 630 |
| Passengers | 64 | 62 |
| Crew | 30 | 24 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.1 (better) | 2.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | — | 10.2 |
| Decks | 3 | 3 |
| Length | 223 ft | 152 ft |
| Beam | 43 ft | 33 ft |
| Speed | 10 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | — | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | — | 2 |
| Upcoming sailings | — | 6 |
| Cruise lengths | — | 5 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | — | $4,778 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday.
AmaMelodia has no Bliss scores yet.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
AmaWaterways
AmaMelodia
When it launches in the summer of 2025, AmaMelodia will be the second major river ship designed to sail on the Magdalena River in Colombia, following the 2024 launch of AmaMagdalena.
Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Sea Lion
National Geographic Sea Lion from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is designed to navigate narrow inlets and wildlife-rich passageways inaccessible to larger ships, while comfortably accommodating 62 guests in 31 outside cabins.
Sailing now
2 cruises on sale, from $4,778.
-
5 Night Columbia and Snake Rivers Food Wine and History
$4,778
-
5 Night Columbia and Snake Rivers Food Wine and History
$5,051
About National Geographic Sea Lion Plan my cruise on National Geographic Sea Lion
Questions
AmaMelodia or National Geographic Sea Lion?
Which ship is newer, AmaMelodia or National Geographic Sea Lion?
AmaMelodia is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 1982 for National Geographic Sea Lion.
Which has more crew per passenger?
AmaMelodia, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.6 on National Geographic Sea Lion.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about AmaMelodia, National Geographic Sea Lion or a ship that suits you better.