American Cruise Lines
American Serenade
- Cruises
- 10
- From
- $4,255
Ship comparison
American Serenade vs Viking Vidar
Viking River Cruises
Viking Vidar
- Cruises
- 9
- From
- $2,299
The verdict
Which should you choose?
American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Vidar is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2015.
Choose American Serenade if you want a more family-friendly ship or a newer ship: it outscores Viking Vidar for family friendly (2.0 vs 0.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2015).
Choose Viking Vidar if you want more culture, a lower starting fare or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores American Serenade for cultural (9.0 vs 7.0) and spa & fitness (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,299 (vs $4,255).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| American Serenade | Viking Vidar | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | American Cruise Lines | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2023 (better) | 2015 |
| 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 | 9 |
| Upcoming sailings | 111 | 33 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 22 nights | 7 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $4,255 | $2,299 (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 1 of the ten, Viking Vidar on 6, with 3 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
10 cruises on sale, from $4,255.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Vidar
The 190-passenger Viking Vidar gives travelers the option of a captivating weeklong cruise on the Rhine or escaping for two weeks on a Grand Voyage to cities that include Budapest, Vienna and Amsterdam.
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 glass doors
- Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by
Sailing now
9 cruises on sale, from $2,299.
Questions
American Serenade or Viking Vidar?
Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Vidar?
American Serenade is bigger at 5,148 gross tons, against 5,000 gross tons for Viking Vidar. American Serenade carries 180 passengers and Viking Vidar carries 190.
Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Vidar?
American Serenade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2015 for Viking Vidar.
Which has more space per passenger?
American Serenade, with 28.6 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Vidar. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Viking Vidar, with one crew member for every 3.8 passengers against one for every 4.2 on American Serenade.
Which is better for families?
American Serenade scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10, against 0.0 for Viking Vidar.
Still deciding?
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