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Ship comparison

Avalon Impression vs Viking Hlin

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Impression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Hlin 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 a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Hlin 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 Hlin 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 Hlin
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 443 ft 443 ft
Beam 37 ft 37 ft
Speed 9 mph 17 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 8 / 10 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 52 5
Upcoming sailings 185 119
Cruise lengths 5 to 24 nights 7 to 14 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 6 of the ten, Viking Hlin on 1, with 3 level.

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

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 Hlin

The 190-passenger Viking Hlin visits charming river towns along the storied Rhine Gorge, bookended by Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland.

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 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 $2,499.

Questions

Avalon Impression or Viking Hlin?

Which is bigger, Avalon Impression or Viking Hlin?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Impression or Viking Hlin?

Both made their maiden voyage in 2014.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Impression, with 30.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Hlin. 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 3.8 on Viking Hlin.

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 Hlin.

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