Avalon Waterways
Avalon Illumination
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $3,079
Ship comparison
Avalon Illumination vs Viking Baldur
Viking River Cruises
Viking Baldur
- Cruises
- 6
- From
- $2,999
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Avalon Illumination is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Baldur is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2013.
Choose Avalon Illumination if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more family-friendly ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Baldur 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 Baldur if you want better-rated entertainment: it outscores Avalon Illumination for 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 Baldur | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2014 (better) | 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 | 361 ft | 443 ft |
| Beam | 37 ft | 37 ft |
| Speed | 9 mph | 17 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 55 | 6 |
| Upcoming sailings | 212 | 23 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 24 nights | 7 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $3,079 | $2,999 (better) |
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 6 of the ten, Viking Baldur on 1, 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 Baldur
The 190-passenger Viking Baldur's mainstay is a two-week journey along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers during which guests take in scenic landscapes, medieval castles and charming riverside towns as well as the world-class metropolises of Vienna, Budapest and Amsterdam.
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
6 cruises on sale, from $2,999.
Questions
Avalon Illumination or Viking Baldur?
Which is bigger, Avalon Illumination or Viking Baldur?
They are the same size, 5,000 gross tons each. Avalon Illumination carries 166 passengers and Viking Baldur carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Avalon Illumination or Viking Baldur?
Avalon Illumination is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2014 against 2013 for Viking Baldur.
Which has more space per passenger?
Avalon Illumination, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Baldur. 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 4.2 on Viking Baldur.
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 Baldur.
Still deciding?
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