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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Hlin

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Hlin 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 Hlin 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 Hlin 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 $2,499 (vs $4,255).

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Hlin
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 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 10 5
Upcoming sailings 111 119
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $2,499 (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 Hlin on 2, with 4 level.

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

Viking River Cruises

Viking Hlin

The 190-passenger Viking Hlin visits charming river towns along the storied Rhine Gorge, bookended by Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland.

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 Wi-Fi
  • "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

5 cruises on sale, from $2,499.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Hlin?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Hlin?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Hlin?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

Viking Hlin, 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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