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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Forseti

The verdict

Which should you choose?

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

Choose American Serenade if you want more of a party, more adventure and nature or a newer ship: it outscores Viking Forseti for party (5.0 vs 1.0) and adventure & nature (5.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2013).

Choose Viking Forseti if you want better-rated dining, better-rated entertainment or a lower starting fare: it outscores American Serenade for dining (7.0 vs 6.0) and entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,999 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Forseti
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 1
Upcoming sailings 111 72
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $2,999 (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 Forseti on 2, with 4 level.

  • Active American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Forseti: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Forseti: 3.0
  • Cultural American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Forseti: 7.0
  • Dining American Serenade: 6.0 Viking Forseti: 7.0
  • Entertainment American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Forseti: 6.0
  • Family friendly American Serenade: 2.0 Viking Forseti: 2.0
  • Party American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Forseti: 1.0
  • Romantic American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Forseti: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Forseti: 4.0
  • Staterooms American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Forseti: 7.0

Viking River Cruises

Viking Forseti

Viking Forseti explores the waterways, chateaux, architecture and museums of Bordeaux, France — oh, and the wine, too.

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

1 cruise on sale, from $2,999.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Forseti?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Forseti?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Forseti?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

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