AmaWaterways
AmaLilia
- Cruises
- 2
- From
- —
The verdict
Which should you choose?
AmaLilia is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 72 passengers, in service since 2024. Le Ponant is an intimate Ponant Cruises ship carrying 64 passengers, in service since 1991.
Choose AmaLilia if you want more crew per passenger, a newer ship or a more active cruise: it outscores Le Ponant for active (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has a crew member for every 1.2 passengers (vs 2.1) and its maiden voyage was in 2024 (vs 1991).
Choose Le Ponant if you want more space per passenger, better-rated dining or a more romantic trip: it outscores AmaLilia for dining (9.0 vs 7.0) and romantic (10.0 vs 9.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 23.3 gross tons per passenger (vs 13.9).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| AmaLilia | Le Ponant | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways | Ponant Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2024 (better) | 1991 |
| Gross tonnage | 1,000 | 1,489 |
| Passengers | 72 | 64 |
| Crew | 62 | 30 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.2 (better) | 2.1 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 13.9 | 23.3 (better) |
| Decks | 4 | 4 |
| Length | 236 ft | 291 ft |
| Beam | 43 ft | 39 ft |
| Speed | 10 mph | 12 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | — | 8 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 2 | 24 |
| Upcoming sailings | 83 | 85 |
| Cruise lengths | 11 nights | 6–7 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | — | $8,000 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. AmaLilia leads on 4 of the ten, Le Ponant on 2, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
AmaWaterways
AmaLilia
AmaLilia began providing cruises along the majestic Nile River in April 2024 following the success of its sister ship, AmaDahlia, which debuted in fall 2021. With 72 passengers and 62 crew members, the new ship features a high crew to passenger ratio and an intimate setting.
Sailing now
2 cruises on sale.
Ponant Cruises
Le Ponant
Le Ponant, a three-masted schooner from France-based cruise line Ponant, sails to small islands, hidden harbors and exclusive ports of call in the Mediterranean with only 64 guests aboard. She is stylish, friendly and relaxed.
Highlights
- Able to cruise to small, exclusive ports in the Mediterranean
- Outdoor dining for breakfast and lunch
- All staterooms have views of the ocean
Sailing now
24 cruises on sale, from $8,000.
Questions
AmaLilia or Le Ponant?
Which is bigger, AmaLilia or Le Ponant?
Le Ponant is bigger at 1,489 gross tons, against 1,000 gross tons for AmaLilia. AmaLilia carries 72 passengers and Le Ponant carries 64.
Which ship is newer, AmaLilia or Le Ponant?
AmaLilia is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2024 against 1991 for Le Ponant.
Which has more space per passenger?
Le Ponant, with 23.3 gross tons per passenger against 13.9 on AmaLilia. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
AmaLilia, with one crew member for every 1.2 passengers against one for every 2.1 on Le Ponant.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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