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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Embla

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Embla is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2012.

Choose American Serenade if you want more of a party, a better-rated spa and gym or more adventure and nature: it outscores Viking Embla 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 Embla if you want a lower starting fare, better-rated dining 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 $1,999 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Embla
Cruise line American Cruise Lines Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2023 (better) 2012
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 11
Upcoming sailings 111 92
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 11 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $1,999 (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 Embla on 4, with 2 level.

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

Viking River Cruises

Viking Embla

The 190-passenger Viking Embla sails along the Rhine River Gorge, exploring a scenic, historic region made for river cruising.

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
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

Sailing now

11 cruises on sale, from $1,999.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Embla?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Embla?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Embla?

American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2012 for Viking Embla.

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

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

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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