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Ship comparison

Avalon Illumination vs Viking Rinda

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Illumination is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2013. Viking Rinda 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 Rinda for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0), family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) and romantic (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Viking Rinda if you want better-rated dining, better-rated entertainment or more adventure and nature: it outscores Avalon Illumination for dining (8.0 vs 7.0), entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) and adventure & nature (4.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Avalon IlluminationViking Rinda
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 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 217 8
Cruise lengths 4–24 nights 7 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,406 $2,399 (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 4 of the ten, Viking Rinda on 3, with 3 level.

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

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 Rinda

The 190-passenger Viking Rinda voyages through southern Europe to less-traveled destinations such as Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania in addition to Hungary and Austria.

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 wi-fi
  • "Balcony" cabins have floor-to-ceiling 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 $2,399.

Questions

Avalon Illumination or Viking Rinda?

Which is bigger, Avalon Illumination or Viking Rinda?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Illumination or Viking Rinda?

Both made their maiden voyage in 2013.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Illumination, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Rinda. 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 Rinda.

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 Rinda.

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