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Ship comparison

Avalon Panorama vs Viking Embla

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Panorama is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 166 passengers, in service since 2010. Viking Embla is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2012.

Choose Avalon Panorama if you want a better-rated spa and gym, a more family-friendly ship or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Embla 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 Embla if you want better-rated entertainment: it outscores Avalon Panorama 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 PanoramaViking Embla
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2010 2012 (better)
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 10 / 10 (better) 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 34 11
Upcoming sailings 197 64
Cruise lengths 4–17 nights 7–11 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,781 $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 Panorama leads on 6 of the ten, Viking Embla on 2, with 2 level.

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

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Panorama

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Central Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Panorama. Sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, Avalon Panorama can glide by centuries-old castles and beautiful landscapes in the afternoon, then make an overnight port call at one of Europe’s overlooked gems.

Highlights

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

Sailing now

34 cruises on sale, from $2,781.

Viking River Cruises

Viking Embla

The 190-passenger Viking Embla sails along the Rhine River Gorge, exploring a scenic, historic region made for river cruising.

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
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

Sailing now

11 cruises on sale, from $2,399.

Questions

Avalon Panorama or Viking Embla?

Which is bigger, Avalon Panorama or Viking Embla?

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

Which ship is newer, Avalon Panorama or Viking Embla?

Viking Embla is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2012 against 2010 for Avalon Panorama.

Which has more space per passenger?

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

Which has more crew per passenger?

Avalon Panorama, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers against one for every 3.8 on Viking Embla.

Which is better for families?

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

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