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Ship comparison

Avalon Poetry II vs Harmonie

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Poetry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2013. Harmonie is an intimate Tauck River Cruises ship carrying 130 passengers, due to enter service in 2028. Harmonie has no specs yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.

Choose Avalon Poetry II if you want more adventure and nature, more of a party or a more romantic trip: it outscores Harmonie for adventure & nature (7.0 vs 5.0), party (5.0 vs 3.0) and romantic (10.0 vs 9.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Harmonie if you want a newer ship, better-rated staterooms or more crew per passenger: it outscores Avalon Poetry II for staterooms (8.5 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2028 (vs 2013) and it has a crew member for every 2.6 passengers (vs 3.5).

Side by side

Specifications

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

Avalon Poetry IIHarmonie
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Tauck River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2013 2028 (better)
Gross tonnage 2,022 —
Passengers 128 130
Crew 37 50
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.5 2.6 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 15.8 —
Cabins — 68
Decks 4 4
Length 361 ft 443 ft
Beam 39 ft 38 ft
Speed 14 mph —
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 —
Cruises on sale 19 6
Upcoming sailings 351 27
Cruise lengths 7 to 19 nights 5 to 13 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,100 —

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Avalon Poetry II leads on 5 of the ten, Harmonie on 2, with 3 level.

  • Active Avalon Poetry II: 7.0 Harmonie: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Poetry II: 7.0 Harmonie: 5.0
  • Cultural Avalon Poetry II: 10.0 Harmonie: 9.5
  • Dining Avalon Poetry II: 8.0 Harmonie: 8.5
  • Entertainment Avalon Poetry II: 5.0 Harmonie: 5.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Poetry II: 6.0 Harmonie: 6.0
  • Party Avalon Poetry II: 5.0 Harmonie: 3.0
  • Romantic Avalon Poetry II: 10.0 Harmonie: 9.0
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Poetry II: 5.0 Harmonie: 4.5
  • Staterooms Avalon Poetry II: 7.0 Harmonie: 8.5

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Poetry II

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising Europe’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Poetry II. Sailing chiefly the Rhône and Saône in France, Avalon Poetry II 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

19 cruises on sale, from $4,100.

Questions

Avalon Poetry II or Harmonie?

Which has more crew per passenger?

Harmonie, with one crew member for every 2.6 passengers against one for every 3.5 on Avalon Poetry II.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10.

Still deciding?

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Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Avalon Poetry II, Harmonie or a ship that suits you better.

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