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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Eir

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Eir is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2015.

Choose American Serenade if you want a more family-friendly ship, a newer ship or a more active cruise: it outscores Viking Eir for family friendly (2.0 vs 0.0) and active (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2015).

Choose Viking Eir if you want a lower starting fare, better-rated entertainment or more adventure and nature: it outscores American Serenade for entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) and adventure & nature (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 Eir
Cruise line American Cruise Lines Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2023 (better) 2015
Gross tonnage 5,148 5,000
Passengers 180 190
Crew 43 50
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 4.2 3.8 (better)
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 4
Upcoming sailings 111 84
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 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 3 of the ten, Viking Eir on 3, with 4 level.

  • Active American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Eir: 6.0
  • Adventure & nature American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Eir: 6.0
  • Cultural American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Eir: 6.0
  • Dining American Serenade: 6.0 Viking Eir: 6.0
  • Entertainment American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Eir: 6.0
  • Family friendly American Serenade: 2.0 Viking Eir: 0.0
  • Party American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Eir: 6.0
  • Romantic American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Eir: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Eir: 5.0
  • Staterooms American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Eir: 7.0

Viking River Cruises

Viking Eir

You'll take in castles, windmills and charming riverbank towns in the Black Forest region when you sail on a Rhine River vacation aboard Viking Eir.

Highlights

  • Sun deck with 360-degree views and shaded sitting area; organic herb garden and solar panels; putting green, chess and walking track
  • 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

Sailing now

4 cruises on sale, from $2,499.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Eir?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Eir?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Eir?

American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2015 for Viking Eir.

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

Viking Eir, with one crew member for every 3.8 passengers against one for every 4.2 on American Serenade.

Which is better for families?

American Serenade scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10, against 0.0 for Viking Eir.

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