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Ship comparison

Avalon Artistry II vs Avalon Poetry II

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Artistry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2013. Avalon Poetry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose Avalon Artistry II if you want more space per passenger, a better-rated spa and gym or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Avalon Poetry II for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 39.1 gross tons per passenger (vs 15.8).

Choose Avalon Poetry II if you want more adventure and nature, a more family-friendly ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Avalon Artistry II for adventure & nature (7.0 vs 3.0), family friendly (6.0 vs 4.0) and romantic (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

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

Avalon Artistry IIAvalon Poetry II
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Avalon Waterways
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2013 2013
Gross tonnage 5,000 2,022
Passengers 128 128
Crew 37 37
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.5 3.5
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 39.1 (better) 15.8
Decks 4 4
Length 361 ft 361 ft
Beam 37 ft 39 ft
Speed 9 mph 14 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 10 / 10 (better) 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 10 19
Upcoming sailings 237 351
Cruise lengths 7 to 18 nights 7 to 19 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,276 $4,100 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Avalon Artistry II leads on 2 of the ten, Avalon Poetry II on 6, with 2 level.

  • Active Avalon Artistry II: 7.0 Avalon Poetry II: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Artistry II: 3.0 Avalon Poetry II: 7.0
  • Cultural Avalon Artistry II: 8.0 Avalon Poetry II: 10.0
  • Dining Avalon Artistry II: 7.0 Avalon Poetry II: 8.0
  • Entertainment Avalon Artistry II: 5.0 Avalon Poetry II: 5.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Artistry II: 4.0 Avalon Poetry II: 6.0
  • Party Avalon Artistry II: 3.0 Avalon Poetry II: 5.0
  • Romantic Avalon Artistry II: 8.0 Avalon Poetry II: 10.0
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Artistry II: 7.0 Avalon Poetry II: 5.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Artistry II: 8.0 Avalon Poetry II: 7.0

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Artistry II

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Artistry II.

Highlights

  • Wall-to-wall panoramic windows
  • Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs
  • Panorama bistro
  • Expanded fitness center

Sailing now

10 cruises on sale, from $4,276.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Poetry II

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Poetry II. Sailing chiefly the Rhône and Saône in France, Avalon Poetry II can glide by centuries-old castles and beautiful landscapes in the afternoon, then make an overnight port call at one of Europe’s overlooked gems.

Highlights

  • Wall-to-wall panoramic windows
  • Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs
  • Panorama bistro
  • Expanded fitness center

Sailing now

19 cruises on sale, from $4,100.

Questions

Avalon Artistry II or Avalon Poetry II?

Which is bigger, Avalon Artistry II or Avalon Poetry II?

Avalon Artistry II is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 2,022 gross tons for Avalon Poetry II. Avalon Artistry II carries 128 passengers and Avalon Poetry II carries 128.

Which ship is newer, Avalon Artistry II or Avalon Poetry II?

Both made their maiden voyage in 2013.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Artistry II, with 39.1 gross tons per passenger against 15.8 on Avalon Poetry II. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

They are level, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers.

Which is better for families?

Avalon Poetry II scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for Avalon Artistry II.

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