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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Idi

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Idi 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 Idi 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 Idi 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 Idi
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 13
Upcoming sailings 111 88
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 11 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 Idi on 2, with 4 level.

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

Viking River Cruises

Viking Idi

The 190-passenger Viking Idi gives travelers the option of a captivating cruise tour from Paris to Prague or to the Swiss Alps.

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

13 cruises on sale, from $2,999.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Idi?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Idi?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Idi?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

Viking Idi, 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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