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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Hild

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Hild is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2017.

Choose American Serenade if you want a better-rated spa and gym, more of a party or a newer ship: it outscores Viking Hild for spa & fitness (5.0 vs 0.0) and party (5.0 vs 1.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2017).

Choose Viking Hild if you want a more family-friendly ship, a lower starting fare or better-rated entertainment: it outscores American Serenade for family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) and entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,799 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Hild
Cruise line American Cruise Lines Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2023 (better) 2017
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 55 ft
Speed 14 mph 17 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 10 6
Upcoming sailings 111 86
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 11 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $2,799 (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 Hild on 3, with 4 level.

  • Active American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Hild: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Hild: 5.0
  • Cultural American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Hild: 7.0
  • Dining American Serenade: 6.0 Viking Hild: 6.5
  • Entertainment American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Hild: 6.0
  • Family friendly American Serenade: 2.0 Viking Hild: 4.0
  • Party American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Hild: 1.0
  • Romantic American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Hild: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Hild: 0.0
  • Staterooms American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Hild: 6.5

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Hild?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Hild?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Hild?

American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2017 for Viking Hild.

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

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

Which is better for families?

Viking Hild scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for American Serenade.

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