Tauck River Cruises
Isabela II
- Cruises
- 0
- From
- —
Ship comparison
Isabela II vs National Geographic Islander II
Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Islander II
- Cruises
- 11
- From
- $7,495
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Isabela II is an intimate Tauck River Cruises ship carrying 40 passengers, in service since 2000. National Geographic Islander II is an intimate Lindblad Expeditions ship carrying 48 passengers, in service since 1991. Isabela II has no Bliss scores yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.
Choose Isabela II if you want a newer ship: its maiden voyage was in 2000 (vs 1991).
Choose National Geographic Islander II if you want more space per passenger, more crew per passenger or more cruises to choose from: it has 68.0 gross tons per passenger (vs 25.6), it has a crew member for every 1.0 passengers (vs 1.7) and it has 11 cruises on sale (vs none).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Isabela II | National Geographic Islander II | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Tauck River Cruises | Lindblad Expeditions |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2000 (better) | 1991 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2018 | 2022 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 1,025 | 3,264 |
| Passengers | 40 | 48 |
| Crew | 24 | 48 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.7 | 1.0 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 25.6 | 68.0 (better) |
| Decks | 3 | 5 |
| Length | 166 ft | 269 ft |
| Beam | 38 ft | 45 ft |
| Speed | — | 17 mph |
| Cruises on sale | — | 11 |
| Upcoming sailings | — | 374 |
| Cruise lengths | — | 4–15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | — | $7,495 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday.
Isabela II has no Bliss scores yet.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Tauck River Cruises
Isabela II
Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Islander II
The National Geographic Islander II, formerly sailing as Crystal Esprit, set sail in the Galápagos Islands year-round starting in August 2022. The sporty ship is named for the National Geographic Islander, which it is replacing.
Sailing now
11 cruises on sale, from $7,495.
-
11 Night Peru and Galapagos Escape and Land Tour
$9,300
-
7 Night Galapagos Escape and Land Tour
$8,819
About National Geographic Islander II Plan my cruise on National Geographic Islander II
Questions
Isabela II or National Geographic Islander II?
Which is bigger, Isabela II or National Geographic Islander II?
National Geographic Islander II is bigger at 3,264 gross tons, against 1,025 gross tons for Isabela II. Isabela II carries 40 passengers and National Geographic Islander II carries 48.
Which ship is newer, Isabela II or National Geographic Islander II?
Isabela II is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2000 against 1991 for National Geographic Islander II.
Which has more space per passenger?
National Geographic Islander II, with 68.0 gross tons per passenger against 25.6 on Isabela II. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
National Geographic Islander II, with one crew member for every 1.0 passengers against one for every 1.7 on Isabela II.
Still deciding?
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