Avalon Waterways
Avalon Expression
- Cruises
- 60
- From
- $2,868
Ship comparison
Avalon Expression vs Viking Kara
Viking River Cruises
Viking Kara
- Cruises
- 5
- From
- $2,499
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Avalon Expression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2013. Viking Kara is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2014.
Choose Avalon Expression if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more family-friendly ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Kara for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 2.0), family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) and romantic (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Viking Kara if you want better-rated entertainment or more adventure and nature: it outscores Avalon Expression for entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) and adventure & nature (4.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Avalon Expression | Viking Kara | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2013 | 2014 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Passengers | 166 | 190 |
| Crew | 47 | 50 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.5 (better) | 3.8 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 30.1 (better) | 26.3 |
| Decks | 4 | 4 |
| Length | 443 ft | 443 ft |
| Beam | 37 ft | 37 ft |
| Speed | 9 mph | 17 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 60 | 5 |
| Upcoming sailings | 174 | 100 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 24 nights | 7 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $2,868 | $2,499 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Avalon Expression leads on 6 of the ten, Viking Kara on 2, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Expression
There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Expression from Avalon Waterways.
Highlights
- Wall-to-wall panoramic windows
- Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs
- Panorama Bistro
- Expanded fitness center
Sailing now
60 cruises on sale, from $2,868.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Kara
Sailing now
5 cruises on sale, from $2,499.
Questions
Avalon Expression or Viking Kara?
Which is bigger, Avalon Expression or Viking Kara?
They are the same size, 5,000 gross tons each. Avalon Expression carries 166 passengers and Viking Kara carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Avalon Expression or Viking Kara?
Viking Kara is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2014 against 2013 for Avalon Expression.
Which has more space per passenger?
Avalon Expression, with 30.1 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?
Avalon Expression, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers against one for every 3.8 on Viking Kara.
Which is better for families?
Avalon Expression scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for Viking Kara.
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