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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Baldur

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Baldur 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 Baldur 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 Baldur if you want better-rated dining or better-rated entertainment: it outscores American Serenade for dining (7.0 vs 6.0) and entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Baldur
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 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 11 4
Upcoming sailings 115 22
Cruise lengths 7–22 nights 7–14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 (better) $5,499

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 Baldur on 2, with 4 level.

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

Viking River Cruises

Viking Baldur

The 190-passenger Viking Baldur's mainstay is a two-week journey along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers during which guests take in scenic landscapes, medieval castles and charming riverside towns as well as the world-class metropolises of Vienna, Budapest and Amsterdam.

Highlights

  • Free shipwide wireless Internet service
  • Balcony cabins have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
  • Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

Sailing now

4 cruises on sale, from $5,499.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Baldur?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Baldur?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Baldur?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

American Serenade, with 28.6 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Baldur. 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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