American Cruise Lines
American Serenade
- Cruises
- 11
- From
- $4,255
Ship comparison
American Serenade vs Viking Kara
Viking River Cruises
Viking Kara
- Cruises
- 5
- From
- $2,499
The verdict
Which should you choose?
American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Kara is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2014.
Choose American Serenade if you want a better-rated spa and gym, more of a party or a newer ship: it outscores Viking Kara for spa & fitness (5.0 vs 2.0) and party (5.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2014).
Choose Viking Kara 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 Serenade | Viking Kara | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 11 | 5 |
| Upcoming sailings | 115 | 128 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–22 nights | 7–14 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 Kara on 2, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
American Cruise Lines
American Serenade
American Serenade offers elegant decor, panoramic views and spacious staterooms in its sailings along the upper and lower Mississippi River.
Sailing now
11 cruises on sale, from $4,255.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Kara
Sailing now
5 cruises on sale, from $2,499.
Questions
American Serenade or Viking Kara?
Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Kara?
American Serenade is bigger at 5,148 gross tons, against 5,000 gross tons for Viking Kara. American Serenade carries 180 passengers and Viking Kara carries 190.
Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Kara?
American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2014 for Viking Kara.
Which has more space per passenger?
American Serenade, with 28.6 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Kara. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Viking Kara, 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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