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Ship comparison

Avalon Impression vs Viking Delling

The verdict

Which should you choose?

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

Choose Avalon Impression if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more family-friendly ship or more of a party: it outscores Viking Delling for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 2.0), family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) and party (3.0 vs 1.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Viking Delling if you want better-rated entertainment: it outscores Avalon Impression 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 ImpressionViking Delling
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2013 2014 (better)
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 53 5
Upcoming sailings 197 115
Cruise lengths 5–24 nights 7–14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $3,158 $2,799 (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 Delling on 1, with 4 level.

  • Active Avalon Impression: 7.0 Viking Delling: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Impression: 3.0 Viking Delling: 3.0
  • Cultural Avalon Impression: 8.0 Viking Delling: 7.5
  • Dining Avalon Impression: 7.0 Viking Delling: 7.0
  • Entertainment Avalon Impression: 5.0 Viking Delling: 6.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Impression: 4.0 Viking Delling: 2.0
  • Party Avalon Impression: 3.0 Viking Delling: 1.0
  • Romantic Avalon Impression: 8.0 Viking Delling: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Impression: 7.0 Viking Delling: 2.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Impression: 8.0 Viking Delling: 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

53 cruises on sale, from $3,158.

Viking River Cruises

Viking Delling

The 190-passenger Viking Delling 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

5 cruises on sale, from $2,799.

Questions

Avalon Impression or Viking Delling?

Which is bigger, Avalon Impression or Viking Delling?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Impression or Viking Delling?

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

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Impression, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Delling. 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 Delling.

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 Delling.

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