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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Hermod

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Hermod is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2014.

Choose American Serenade if you want more of a party, a better-rated spa and gym or more adventure and nature: it outscores Viking Hermod 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 Hermod if you want a lower starting fare, 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 and its cruises start from $2,599 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Hermod
Cruise line American Cruise Lines Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2023 (better) 2014
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 111 109
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $2,599 (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 Hermod on 2, with 4 level.

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

Viking River Cruises

Viking Hermod

The 190-passenger Viking Hermod will transport you through Burgundy and Provence in the South of France on itineraries between Lyon and Avignon.

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 $2,599.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Hermod?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Hermod?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Hermod?

American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2014 for Viking Hermod.

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

Viking Hermod, 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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