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Ship comparison

American Serenade vs Viking Vili

The verdict

Which should you choose?

American Serenade is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 180 passengers, in service since 2023. Viking Vili is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2014.

Choose American Serenade if you want a more family-friendly ship or a newer ship: it outscores Viking Vili for family friendly (2.0 vs 0.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2014).

Choose Viking Vili if you want a better-rated spa and gym, more adventure and nature or more culture: it outscores American Serenade for spa & fitness (6.0 vs 5.0), adventure & nature (6.0 vs 5.0) and cultural (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

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

American SerenadeViking Vili
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 6
Upcoming sailings 111 40
Cruise lengths 7 to 22 nights 7 to 14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,255 $3,299 (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 Vili on 3, with 6 level.

  • Active American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Vili: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Vili: 6.0
  • Cultural American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Vili: 8.0
  • Dining American Serenade: 6.0 Viking Vili: 6.0
  • Entertainment American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Vili: 5.0
  • Family friendly American Serenade: 2.0 Viking Vili: 0.0
  • Party American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Vili: 5.0
  • Romantic American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Vili: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness American Serenade: 5.0 Viking Vili: 6.0
  • Staterooms American Serenade: 7.0 Viking Vili: 7.0

Viking River Cruises

Viking Vili

The 190-passenger Viking Vili takes travelers through scenic vistas of tulip fields, castles and charming riverside towns as well as stops in Vienna, Budapest 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

6 cruises on sale, from $3,299.

Questions

American Serenade or Viking Vili?

Which is bigger, American Serenade or Viking Vili?

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

Which ship is newer, American Serenade or Viking Vili?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

Viking Vili, 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 Vili.

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