Avalon Waterways
Avalon Illumination
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $3,079
Ship comparison
Avalon Illumination vs Viking Embla
Viking River Cruises
Viking Embla
- Cruises
- 11
- From
- $1,999
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Avalon Illumination is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Embla is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2012.
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 Embla 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 Embla if you want a lower starting fare or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Avalon Illumination for entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $1,999 (vs $3,079).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Avalon Illumination | Viking Embla | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2014 (better) | 2012 |
| 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 | 11 |
| Upcoming sailings | 212 | 92 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 24 nights | 7 to 11 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $3,079 | $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 Illumination leads on 6 of the ten, Viking Embla on 2, with 2 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 Embla
The 190-passenger Viking Embla sails along the Rhine River Gorge, exploring a scenic, historic region made for river cruising.
Highlights
- Sun deck with 360-degree views and shaded sitting area; organic herb garden and solar panels; putting green, chess and walking track
- Free shipwide wireless Internet service
- Balcony cabins have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
- Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
Sailing now
11 cruises on sale, from $1,999.
Questions
Avalon Illumination or Viking Embla?
Which is bigger, Avalon Illumination or Viking Embla?
They are the same size, 5,000 gross tons each. Avalon Illumination carries 166 passengers and Viking Embla carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Avalon Illumination or Viking Embla?
Avalon Illumination is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2014 against 2012 for Viking Embla.
Which has more space per passenger?
Avalon Illumination, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Embla. 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 Embla.
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 Embla.
Still deciding?
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