Avalon Waterways
Avalon Expression
- Cruises
- 60
- From
- $2,868
Ship comparison
Avalon Expression vs Viking Skadi
Viking River Cruises
Viking Skadi
- Cruises
- 5
- From
- $1,999
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Avalon Expression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2013. Viking Skadi 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 romantic trip or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Viking Skadi for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 2.0), romantic (8.0 vs 5.0) and family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Viking Skadi if you want better-rated dining, better-rated entertainment or a lower starting fare: it outscores Avalon Expression for dining (8.0 vs 7.0) and entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $1,999 (vs $2,868).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Avalon Expression | Viking Skadi | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 |
| Upcoming sailings | 174 | 78 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 24 nights | 7 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $2,868 | $1,999 (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 5 of the ten, Viking Skadi on 2, with 3 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 Skadi
Viking Skadi, named for the Norse goddess of winter, is part of the Viking Longships invasion that has taken river cruising by storm. Having a chance to sail on one of the new Viking Longships for the first time was an exciting way to discover the Christmas Markets along the Danube River.
Highlights
- Free shipwide wireless Internet service
- "Balcony" cabins have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
- Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by
- Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
Sailing now
5 cruises on sale, from $1,999.
Questions
Avalon Expression or Viking Skadi?
Which is bigger, Avalon Expression or Viking Skadi?
They are the same size, 5,000 gross tons each. Avalon Expression carries 166 passengers and Viking Skadi carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Avalon Expression or Viking Skadi?
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 Skadi. 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 Skadi.
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 Skadi.
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