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Ship comparison

Avalon Impression vs Viking Atla

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Impression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Atla is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose Avalon Impression if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more family-friendly ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Atla 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 Atla if you want better-rated entertainment or a lower starting fare: it outscores Avalon Impression for entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,499 (vs $3,158).

Side by side

Specifications

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

Avalon ImpressionViking Atla
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 443 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 52 8
Upcoming sailings 185 57
Cruise lengths 5 to 24 nights 7 to 10 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $3,158 $2,499 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Avalon Impression leads on 5 of the ten, Viking Atla on 2, with 3 level.

  • Active Avalon Impression: 7.0 Viking Atla: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Impression: 3.0 Viking Atla: 3.0
  • Cultural Avalon Impression: 8.0 Viking Atla: 7.0
  • Dining Avalon Impression: 7.0 Viking Atla: 7.7
  • Entertainment Avalon Impression: 5.0 Viking Atla: 6.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Impression: 4.0 Viking Atla: 2.0
  • Party Avalon Impression: 3.0 Viking Atla: 1.0
  • Romantic Avalon Impression: 8.0 Viking Atla: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Impression: 7.0 Viking Atla: 2.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Impression: 8.0 Viking Atla: 8.0

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Impression

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Impression.

Highlights

  • Wall-to-wall panoramic windows
  • Sky deck with premium lounge chairs
  • Panorama bistro
  • Expanded fitness center

Sailing now

52 cruises on sale, from $3,158.

Viking River Cruises

Viking Atla

The 190-passenger Viking Atla sails the Danube River, exploring both charming riverside towns and major cities such as Vienna and Budapest.

Highlights

  • Observation Lounge and Bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
  • Free shipwide wireless Internet service
  • Aquavit Terrace with a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship and grills for al fresco dining

Sailing now

8 cruises on sale, from $2,499.

Questions

Avalon Impression or Viking Atla?

Which is bigger, Avalon Impression or Viking Atla?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Impression or Viking Atla?

Avalon Impression is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2014 against 2013 for Viking Atla.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Impression, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Atla. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Avalon Impression, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers against one for every 4.2 on Viking Atla.

Which is better for families?

Avalon Impression scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for Viking Atla.

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