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Ship comparison

AmaViola vs Avalon Expression

The verdict

Which should you choose?

AmaViola is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 158 passengers, in service since 2016. Avalon Expression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2012.

Choose AmaViola if you want more adventure and nature, more of a party or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Avalon Expression for adventure & nature (5.0 vs 3.0), party (5.0 vs 3.0) and family friendly (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Avalon Expression if you want more space per passenger, a better-rated spa and gym or a more romantic trip: it outscores AmaViola for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 6.0) and romantic (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 30.1 gross tons per passenger (vs 22.2).

Side by side

Specifications

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

AmaViolaAvalon Expression
Cruise line AmaWaterways Avalon Waterways
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2016 (better) 2012
Gross tonnage 3,500 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 22.2 30.1 (better)
Decks 4 4
Length 443 ft 443 ft
Beam 38 ft 37 ft
Speed 8 mph 9 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 10 / 10 (better) 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 32 61
Upcoming sailings 100 192
Cruise lengths 7–11 nights 4–24 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,699 (better) $2,868

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. AmaViola leads on 4 of the ten, Avalon Expression on 4, with 2 level.

  • Active AmaViola: 7.0 Avalon Expression: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature AmaViola: 5.0 Avalon Expression: 3.0
  • Cultural AmaViola: 7.0 Avalon Expression: 8.0
  • Dining AmaViola: 7.0 Avalon Expression: 7.0
  • Entertainment AmaViola: 6.0 Avalon Expression: 5.0
  • Family friendly AmaViola: 5.0 Avalon Expression: 4.0
  • Party AmaViola: 5.0 Avalon Expression: 3.0
  • Romantic AmaViola: 7.0 Avalon Expression: 8.0
  • Spa & fitness AmaViola: 6.0 Avalon Expression: 7.0
  • Staterooms AmaViola: 7.0 Avalon Expression: 8.0

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Expression

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

Highlights

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

Sailing now

61 cruises on sale, from $2,868.

Questions

AmaViola or Avalon Expression?

Which is bigger, AmaViola or Avalon Expression?

Avalon Expression is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 3,500 gross tons for AmaViola. AmaViola carries 158 passengers and Avalon Expression carries 166.

Which ship is newer, AmaViola or Avalon Expression?

AmaViola is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2016 against 2012 for Avalon Expression.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Expression, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 22.2 on AmaViola. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

AmaViola, with one crew member for every 3.1 passengers against one for every 3.5 on Avalon Expression.

Which is better for families?

AmaViola scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for Avalon Expression.

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