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Ship comparison

AmaLea vs Avalon Impression

AmaWaterways

AmaLea

Cruises
17
From
$1,629

The verdict

Which should you choose?

AmaLea is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 158 passengers, in service since 2018. Avalon Impression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose AmaLea if you want more adventure and nature, more of a party or a lower starting fare: it outscores Avalon Impression 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 $3,158).

Choose Avalon Impression 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.

AmaLeaAvalon Impression
Cruise line AmaWaterways Avalon Waterways
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2018 (better) 2013
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 443 ft
Beam 38 ft 37 ft
Speed 9 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 17 53
Upcoming sailings 96 197
Cruise lengths 7–14 nights 5–24 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $1,629 (better) $3,158

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 Impression on 3, with 3 level.

  • Active AmaLea: 6.5 Avalon Impression: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature AmaLea: 5.0 Avalon Impression: 3.0
  • Cultural AmaLea: 8.0 Avalon Impression: 8.0
  • Dining AmaLea: 7.5 Avalon Impression: 7.0
  • Entertainment AmaLea: 5.0 Avalon Impression: 5.0
  • Family friendly AmaLea: 5.0 Avalon Impression: 4.0
  • Party AmaLea: 5.0 Avalon Impression: 3.0
  • Romantic AmaLea: 8.0 Avalon Impression: 8.0
  • Spa & fitness AmaLea: 5.0 Avalon Impression: 7.0
  • Staterooms AmaLea: 7.0 Avalon Impression: 8.0

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

17 cruises on sale, from $1,629.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Impression

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Impression.

Highlights

  • Wall-to-wall panoramic windows
  • Sky deck with premium lounge chairs
  • Panorama bistro
  • Expanded fitness center

Sailing now

53 cruises on sale, from $3,158.

Questions

AmaLea or Avalon Impression?

Which is bigger, AmaLea or Avalon Impression?

Avalon Impression is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 3,602 gross tons for AmaLea. AmaLea carries 158 passengers and Avalon Impression carries 166.

Which ship is newer, AmaLea or Avalon Impression?

AmaLea is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2013 for Avalon Impression.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Impression, 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 Impression.

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 Impression.

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