American Cruise Lines
American Pioneer
- Cruises
- 0
- From
- —
Ship comparison
American Pioneer vs Avalon Poetry II
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Poetry II
- Cruises
- 28
- From
- $4,030
The verdict
Which should you choose?
American Pioneer is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 130 passengers, in service since 2025. Avalon Poetry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2013. American Pioneer has no Bliss scores yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.
Choose American Pioneer if you want more space per passenger, a newer ship or more crew per passenger: it has 25.7 gross tons per passenger (vs 15.8), its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 2013) and it has a crew member for every 2.6 passengers (vs 3.5).
Choose Avalon Poetry II if you want more cruises to choose from: it has 28 cruises on sale (vs none).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| American Pioneer | Avalon Poetry II | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | American Cruise Lines | Avalon Waterways |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2013 |
| Gross tonnage | 3,344 | 2,022 |
| Passengers | 130 | 128 |
| Crew | 50 | 37 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 (better) | 3.5 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 25.7 (better) | 15.8 |
| Decks | 5 | 4 |
| Length | 243 ft | 361 ft |
| Beam | 56 ft | 39 ft |
| Speed | 20 mph | 14 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | — | 28 |
| Upcoming sailings | — | 387 |
| Cruise lengths | — | 7–23 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | — | $4,030 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday.
American Pioneer has no Bliss scores yet.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
American Cruise Lines
American Pioneer
American Pioneer is a 2025-built Patriot Class coastal ship from American Cruise Lines designed for small-ship cruising along protected U.S. waterways.
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Poetry II
There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Poetry II. Sailing chiefly the Rhône and Saône in France, Avalon Poetry II can glide by centuries-old castles and beautiful landscapes in the afternoon, then make an overnight port call at one of Europe’s overlooked gems.
Highlights
- Wall-to-wall panoramic windows
- Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs
- Panorama bistro
- Expanded fitness center
Sailing now
28 cruises on sale, from $4,030.
Questions
American Pioneer or Avalon Poetry II?
Which is bigger, American Pioneer or Avalon Poetry II?
American Pioneer is bigger at 3,344 gross tons, against 2,022 gross tons for Avalon Poetry II. American Pioneer carries 130 passengers and Avalon Poetry II carries 128.
Which ship is newer, American Pioneer or Avalon Poetry II?
American Pioneer is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2013 for Avalon Poetry II.
Which has more space per passenger?
American Pioneer, with 25.7 gross tons per passenger against 15.8 on Avalon Poetry II. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
American Pioneer, with one crew member for every 2.6 passengers against one for every 3.5 on Avalon Poetry II.
Still deciding?
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