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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Gefjon

The verdict

Which should you choose?

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

Choose American Serenade if you want more of a party, a newer ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Gefjon for party (5.0 vs 2.0) and romantic (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2015).

Choose Viking Gefjon if you want a more family-friendly ship, a better-rated spa and gym or a lower starting fare: it outscores American Serenade for family friendly (5.0 vs 2.0) and spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,399 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Gefjon
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 9
Upcoming sailings 111 52
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $2,399 (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 2 of the ten, Viking Gefjon on 4, with 4 level.

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

Viking River Cruises

Viking Gefjon

The 190-passenger Viking Gefjon (named for the Norse goddess of the plow) was designed 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
  • Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by

Sailing now

9 cruises on sale, from $2,399.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Gefjon?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Gefjon?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Gefjon?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

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

Which is better for families?

Viking Gefjon scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for American Serenade.

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