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Ship comparison

Avalon Expression vs Viking Magni

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Expression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2013. Viking Magni is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2013.

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 Magni for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 2.0), family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) and romantic (8.0 vs 6.5) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Viking Magni 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 ExpressionViking Magni
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2013 2013
Gross tonnage 5,000 5,000
Passengers 166 190
Crew 47 45
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.5 (better) 4.2
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 6
Upcoming sailings 174 24
Cruise lengths 4 to 24 nights 7 to 14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,868 (better) $3,599

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 Magni on 2, with 2 level.

  • Active Avalon Expression: 7.0 Viking Magni: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Expression: 3.0 Viking Magni: 4.0
  • Cultural Avalon Expression: 8.0 Viking Magni: 7.7
  • Dining Avalon Expression: 7.0 Viking Magni: 7.0
  • Entertainment Avalon Expression: 5.0 Viking Magni: 6.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Expression: 4.0 Viking Magni: 2.0
  • Party Avalon Expression: 3.0 Viking Magni: 2.0
  • Romantic Avalon Expression: 8.0 Viking Magni: 6.5
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Expression: 7.0 Viking Magni: 2.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Expression: 8.0 Viking Magni: 7.0

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.

Questions

Avalon Expression or Viking Magni?

Which is bigger, Avalon Expression or Viking Magni?

They are the same size, 5,000 gross tons each. Avalon Expression carries 166 passengers and Viking Magni carries 190.

Which ship is newer, Avalon Expression or Viking Magni?

Both made their maiden voyage in 2013.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Expression, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Magni. 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 4.2 on Viking Magni.

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 Magni.

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