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Ship comparison

Avalon Illumination vs Viking Hermod

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Illumination is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Hermod 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 family-friendly ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Hermod 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 Hermod 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 IlluminationViking Hermod
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 56 4
Upcoming sailings 216 117
Cruise lengths 4–24 nights 7–14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,406 (better) $2,799

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 Hermod on 1, with 3 level.

  • Active Avalon Illumination: 7.0 Viking Hermod: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Illumination: 3.0 Viking Hermod: 3.0
  • Cultural Avalon Illumination: 8.0 Viking Hermod: 7.0
  • Dining Avalon Illumination: 7.0 Viking Hermod: 7.0
  • Entertainment Avalon Illumination: 5.0 Viking Hermod: 6.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Illumination: 4.0 Viking Hermod: 2.0
  • Party Avalon Illumination: 3.0 Viking Hermod: 1.0
  • Romantic Avalon Illumination: 8.0 Viking Hermod: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Illumination: 7.0 Viking Hermod: 2.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Illumination: 8.0 Viking Hermod: 7.0

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

56 cruises on sale, from $2,406.

Viking River Cruises

Viking Hermod

The 190-passenger Viking Hermod will transport you through Burgundy and Provence in the South of France on itineraries between Lyon and Avignon.

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
  • Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by

Sailing now

4 cruises on sale, from $2,799.

Questions

Avalon Illumination or Viking Hermod?

Which is bigger, Avalon Illumination or Viking Hermod?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Illumination or Viking Hermod?

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 Hermod. 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 Hermod.

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 Hermod.

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