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Ship comparison

Avalon Impression vs Viking Idun

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Impression is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2014. Viking Idun is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2012.

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 Idun 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 Idun 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 Idun
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2014 (better) 2012
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 9 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale 52 8
Upcoming sailings 185 13
Cruise lengths 5 to 24 nights 7 to 11 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $3,158 (better) $3,499

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 Idun on 1, with 3 level.

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

The 190-passenger Viking Idun features cruises through the heart of the Rhine Valley from the Netherlands through Germany and a piece of France and into Switzerland.

Highlights

  • Sun Deck with 360-degree views and shaded sitting area; organic herb garden and solar panels; putting green, chess and walking track
  • "Balcony" cabins have floor-to-ceiling slIdunng glass doors
  • Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

Sailing now

8 cruises on sale, from $3,499.

Questions

Avalon Impression or Viking Idun?

Which is bigger, Avalon Impression or Viking Idun?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Impression or Viking Idun?

Avalon Impression is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2014 against 2012 for Viking Idun.

Which has more space per passenger?

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

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 Idun.

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