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Ship comparison

Avalon Artistry II vs Joy

Tauck River Cruises

Joy

Cruises
17
From
—

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Artistry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2013. Joy is an intimate Tauck River Cruises ship carrying 130 passengers, in service since 2016.

Choose Avalon Artistry II if you want more space per passenger or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Joy for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 39.1 gross tons per passenger (vs 7.7).

Choose Joy if you want a more family-friendly ship, more adventure and nature or better-rated dining: it outscores Avalon Artistry II for family friendly (6.0 vs 4.0), adventure & nature (5.0 vs 3.0) and dining (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.

Avalon Artistry IIJoy
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Tauck River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2013 2016 (better)
Gross tonnage 5,000 1,000
Passengers 128 130
Crew 37 34
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.5 (better) 3.8
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 39.1 (better) 7.7
Decks 4 4
Length 361 ft 443 ft
Beam 37 ft 39 ft
Speed 9 mph —
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 10 / 10 10 / 10
Cruises on sale 10 17
Upcoming sailings 237 67
Cruise lengths 7 to 18 nights 5 to 14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,276 —

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 1 of the ten, Joy on 6, with 3 level.

  • Active Avalon Artistry II: 7.0 Joy: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Artistry II: 3.0 Joy: 5.0
  • Cultural Avalon Artistry II: 8.0 Joy: 9.0
  • Dining Avalon Artistry II: 7.0 Joy: 8.0
  • Entertainment Avalon Artistry II: 5.0 Joy: 5.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Artistry II: 4.0 Joy: 6.0
  • Party Avalon Artistry II: 3.0 Joy: 3.0
  • Romantic Avalon Artistry II: 8.0 Joy: 8.5
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Artistry II: 7.0 Joy: 4.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Artistry II: 8.0 Joy: 8.5

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.

Tauck River Cruises

Joy

Cruising exclusively along the riverscapes of the Danube, ms Joy is part of the Inspiration class of riverboats from Tauck River Cruises.

Highlights

  • Twenty two 300-sq. ft. suites and 8 loft cabins with an additional view
  • Complimentary Internet

Sailing now

17 cruises on sale.

Questions

Avalon Artistry II or Joy?

Which is bigger, Avalon Artistry II or Joy?

Avalon Artistry II is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 1,000 gross tons for Joy. Avalon Artistry II carries 128 passengers and Joy carries 130.

Which ship is newer, Avalon Artistry II or Joy?

Joy is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2016 against 2013 for Avalon Artistry II.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Artistry II, with 39.1 gross tons per passenger against 7.7 on Joy. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Avalon Artistry II, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers against one for every 3.8 on Joy.

Which is better for families?

Joy 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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