Avalon Waterways
Avalon Illumination
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $3,079
Ship comparison
Avalon Illumination vs Viking Alsvin
Viking River Cruises
Viking Alsvin
- Cruises
- 14
- From
- $3,199
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Avalon Illumination is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Alsvin is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2014.
Choose Avalon Illumination if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more romantic trip or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Viking Alsvin 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 Alsvin if you want a more active cruise or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Avalon Illumination for active (8.0 vs 7.0) and entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Avalon Illumination | Viking Alsvin | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2014 | 2014 |
| 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 | 361 ft | 443 ft |
| Beam | 37 ft | 37 ft |
| Speed | 9 mph | 17 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 55 | 14 |
| Upcoming sailings | 212 | 88 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 24 nights | 7 to 11 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $3,079 (better) | $3,199 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Avalon Illumination leads on 5 of the ten, Viking Alsvin on 2, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Illumination
There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Illumination.
Highlights
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
- Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs
- Panorama bistro
- Expanded fitness center
Sailing now
55 cruises on sale, from $3,079.
-
14 Night Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt with 2 Nights in Budapest and Land Tour
$11,426
-
7 Night Christmastime in the Heart of Germany with 2 Nights in Prague and Land Tour
$4,428
About Avalon Illumination Plan my cruise on Avalon Illumination
Viking River Cruises
Viking Alsvin
The 190-passenger Viking Alsvin features two visually stunning — and dare we say romantic — cruise tours with a choice of Prague to Paris or Paris to Zurich.
Highlights
- Free shipwide wireless Internet service
- Observation Lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
- Aquavit Terrace with a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship and grills for al fresco dining
- Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views
Sailing now
14 cruises on sale, from $3,199.
Questions
Avalon Illumination or Viking Alsvin?
Which is bigger, Avalon Illumination or Viking Alsvin?
They are the same size, 5,000 gross tons each. Avalon Illumination carries 166 passengers and Viking Alsvin carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Avalon Illumination or Viking Alsvin?
Both made their maiden voyage in 2014.
Which has more space per passenger?
Avalon Illumination, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Alsvin. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Avalon Illumination, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers against one for every 3.8 on Viking Alsvin.
Which is better for families?
Avalon Illumination scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for Viking Alsvin.
Still deciding?
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