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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Atla

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Atla is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose American Serenade if you want more of a party, a better-rated spa and gym or more adventure and nature: it outscores Viking Atla for party (5.0 vs 1.0), spa & fitness (5.0 vs 2.0) and adventure & nature (5.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Viking Atla if you want better-rated dining, a lower starting fare or better-rated entertainment: it outscores American Serenade for dining (7.7 vs 6.0) and entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,499 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Atla
Cruise line American Cruise Lines Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2023 (better) 2013
Gross tonnage 5,148 5,000
Passengers 180 190
Crew 43 45
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 4.2 4.2
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 28.6 (better) 26.3
Decks 5 4
Length 269 ft 443 ft
Beam 56 ft 37 ft
Speed 14 mph 17 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 10 8
Upcoming sailings 111 57
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 10 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $2,499 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. American Serenade leads on 4 of the ten, Viking Atla on 3, with 3 level.

  • Active American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Atla: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Atla: 3.0
  • Cultural American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Atla: 7.0
  • Dining American Serenade: 6.0 Viking Atla: 7.7
  • Entertainment American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Atla: 6.0
  • Family friendly American Serenade: 2.0 Viking Atla: 2.0
  • Party American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Atla: 1.0
  • Romantic American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Atla: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Atla: 2.0
  • Staterooms American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Atla: 8.0

Viking River Cruises

Viking Atla

The 190-passenger Viking Atla sails the Danube River, exploring both charming riverside towns and major cities such as Vienna and Budapest.

Highlights

  • Observation Lounge and Bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
  • Free shipwide wireless Internet service
  • Aquavit Terrace with a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship and grills for al fresco dining

Sailing now

8 cruises on sale, from $2,499.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Atla?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Atla?

American Serenade is bigger at 5,148 gross tons, against 5,000 gross tons for Viking Atla. American Serenade carries 180 passengers and Viking Atla carries 190.

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Atla?

American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2013 for Viking Atla.

Which has more space per passenger?

American Serenade, with 28.6 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Atla. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

They are level, with one crew member for every 4.2 passengers.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10.

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