AmaWaterways
AmaLea
- Cruises
- 18
- From
- $1,629
Ship comparison
AmaLea vs Avalon Illumination
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Illumination
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $3,079
The verdict
Which should you choose?
AmaLea is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 158 passengers, in service since 2018. Avalon Illumination is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014.
Choose AmaLea if you want more adventure and nature, more of a party or a lower starting fare: it outscores Avalon Illumination for adventure & nature (5.0 vs 3.0) and party (5.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $1,629 (vs $3,079).
Choose Avalon Illumination if you want a better-rated spa and gym, more space per passenger or better-rated staterooms: it outscores AmaLea for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 30.1 gross tons per passenger (vs 22.8).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| AmaLea | Avalon Illumination | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways | Avalon Waterways |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2018 (better) | 2014 |
| Gross tonnage | 3,602 | 5,000 |
| Passengers | 158 | 166 |
| Crew | 51 | 47 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.1 (better) | 3.5 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 22.8 | 30.1 (better) |
| Cabins | 79 | — |
| Decks | 4 | 4 |
| Length | 443 ft | 361 ft |
| Beam | 38 ft | 37 ft |
| Speed | — | 9 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 (better) | 8 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 18 | 55 |
| Upcoming sailings | 91 | 212 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 14 nights | 4 to 24 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $1,629 (better) | $3,079 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. AmaLea leads on 4 of the ten, Avalon Illumination on 3, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
AmaWaterways
AmaLea
The AmaLea, which debuted in 2018, is a sister ship to AmaKristina and was touted by AmaWaterways at the time as having "the most advanced design of any river cruise vessel currently in operation." Twin Balconies are available in most staterooms, which measure 210 to 235 square feet, with four suites measuring 350 square feet.
Sailing now
18 cruises on sale, from $1,629.
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Illumination
There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Illumination.
Highlights
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
- Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs
- Panorama bistro
- Expanded fitness center
Sailing now
55 cruises on sale, from $3,079.
-
14 Night Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt with 2 Nights in Budapest and Land Tour
$11,426
-
7 Night Christmastime in the Heart of Germany with 2 Nights in Prague and Land Tour
$4,428
About Avalon Illumination Plan my cruise on Avalon Illumination
Questions
AmaLea or Avalon Illumination?
Which is bigger, AmaLea or Avalon Illumination?
Avalon Illumination is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 3,602 gross tons for AmaLea. AmaLea carries 158 passengers and Avalon Illumination carries 166.
Which ship is newer, AmaLea or Avalon Illumination?
AmaLea is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2014 for Avalon Illumination.
Which has more space per passenger?
Avalon Illumination, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 22.8 on AmaLea. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
AmaLea, with one crew member for every 3.1 passengers against one for every 3.5 on Avalon Illumination.
Which is better for families?
AmaLea scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for Avalon Illumination.
Still deciding?
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