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Ship comparison

National Geographic Sea Bird vs Wilderness Explorer

The verdict

Which should you choose?

National Geographic Sea Bird is an intimate Lindblad Expeditions ship carrying 62 passengers, in service since 1982. Wilderness Explorer is an intimate Un-Cruise Adventures ship carrying 74 passengers, in service since 1976.

Choose National Geographic Sea Bird if you want a better-rated spa and gym, more culture or a newer ship: it outscores Wilderness Explorer for spa & fitness (8.0 vs 6.0) and cultural (7.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 1982 (vs 1976).

Choose Wilderness Explorer if you want more of a party, more space per passenger or a more romantic trip: it outscores National Geographic Sea Bird for party (5.0 vs 0.0) and romantic (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 12.3 gross tons per passenger (vs 10.2).

Side by side

Specifications

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

National Geographic Sea BirdWilderness Explorer
Cruise line Lindblad Expeditions Un-Cruise Adventures
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 1982 (better) 1976
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2014 (better) 2012
Gross tonnage 630 910
Passengers 62 74
Crew 24 26
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.6 (better) 2.8
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 10.2 12.3 (better)
Decks 3 4
Length 152 ft 186 ft
Beam 33 ft 38 ft
Speed — 13 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 7 / 10 8 / 10 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. National Geographic Sea Bird leads on 3 of the ten, Wilderness Explorer on 4, with 3 level.

  • Active National Geographic Sea Bird: 10.0 Wilderness Explorer: 10.0
  • Adventure & nature National Geographic Sea Bird: 10.0 Wilderness Explorer: 10.0
  • Cultural National Geographic Sea Bird: 7.0 Wilderness Explorer: 5.0
  • Dining National Geographic Sea Bird: 5.0 Wilderness Explorer: 6.0
  • Entertainment National Geographic Sea Bird: 4.3 Wilderness Explorer: 5.0
  • Family friendly National Geographic Sea Bird: 6.0 Wilderness Explorer: 6.0
  • Party National Geographic Sea Bird: 0.0 Wilderness Explorer: 5.0
  • Romantic National Geographic Sea Bird: 6.0 Wilderness Explorer: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness National Geographic Sea Bird: 8.0 Wilderness Explorer: 6.0
  • Staterooms National Geographic Sea Bird: 6.0 Wilderness Explorer: 5.0

Un-Cruise Adventures

Wilderness Explorer

To complement the wild, natural surroundings of Wilderness Explorer from Un-Cruise Adventures, the interior of the 74-guest expedition ship has been designed with a Pacific Northwest feel, including the nautical-themed main lounge.

Questions

National Geographic Sea Bird or Wilderness Explorer?

Which is bigger, National Geographic Sea Bird or Wilderness Explorer?

Wilderness Explorer is bigger at 910 gross tons, against 630 gross tons for National Geographic Sea Bird. National Geographic Sea Bird carries 62 passengers and Wilderness Explorer carries 74.

Which ship is newer, National Geographic Sea Bird or Wilderness Explorer?

National Geographic Sea Bird is newer, with a maiden voyage in 1982 against 1976 for Wilderness Explorer.

Which has more space per passenger?

Wilderness Explorer, with 12.3 gross tons per passenger against 10.2 on National Geographic Sea Bird. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

National Geographic Sea Bird, with one crew member for every 2.6 passengers against one for every 2.8 on Wilderness Explorer.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10.

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