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Ship comparison

Avalon Tapestry II vs River Duchess

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Avalon Tapestry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2015. River Duchess is an intimate Uniworld River Cruises ship carrying 134 passengers, in service since 2003.

Choose Avalon Tapestry II if you want more space per passenger, a better-rated spa and gym or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores River Duchess for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0) and family friendly (4.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 39.1 gross tons per passenger (vs 26.1).

Choose River Duchess if you want more of a party or more adventure and nature: it outscores Avalon Tapestry II for party (5.0 vs 3.0) and adventure & nature (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

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

Avalon Tapestry IIRiver Duchess
Cruise line Avalon Waterways Uniworld River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2015 (better) 2003
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted — 2012
Gross tonnage 5,000 3,500
Passengers 128 134
Crew 37 34
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.5 (better) 3.9
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 39.1 (better) 26.1
Decks 4 3
Length 361 ft 361 ft
Beam 37 ft 38 ft
Speed 9 mph —
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 10 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale 8 2
Upcoming sailings 212 4
Cruise lengths 7 to 17 nights 7 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $4,450 $3,999 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Avalon Tapestry II leads on 2 of the ten, River Duchess on 2, with 6 level.

  • Active Avalon Tapestry II: 7.0 River Duchess: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Avalon Tapestry II: 4.0 River Duchess: 5.0
  • Cultural Avalon Tapestry II: 8.0 River Duchess: 8.0
  • Dining Avalon Tapestry II: 7.0 River Duchess: 7.0
  • Entertainment Avalon Tapestry II: 4.0 River Duchess: 4.0
  • Family friendly Avalon Tapestry II: 4.0 River Duchess: 2.0
  • Party Avalon Tapestry II: 3.0 River Duchess: 5.0
  • Romantic Avalon Tapestry II: 8.0 River Duchess: 8.0
  • Spa & fitness Avalon Tapestry II: 7.0 River Duchess: 5.0
  • Staterooms Avalon Tapestry II: 8.0 River Duchess: 8.0

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Tapestry II

There’s both serenity and a measure of adventure when cruising France’s famed waterways aboard Avalon Tapestry II. Sailing the Seine, Rhône and Saône rivers, the Avalon Waterways ship can glide by centuries-old châteaux 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
  • Bistro on the Sky Deck
  • Fitness center

Sailing now

8 cruises on sale, from $4,450.

Uniworld River Cruises

River Duchess

River Duchess, part of the Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, carries 134 guests in luxurious style. River ships (for the Rhine, Main and Danube) must navigate hundreds of locks that are only 12 meters wide.

Highlights

  • Visit the picturesque Bulgarian towns of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi.
  • Have an al fresco meal in the Sky Lounge.
  • Enjoy the piano player during tea, cocktails and after dinner for dancing.

Sailing now

2 cruises on sale, from $3,999.

Questions

Avalon Tapestry II or River Duchess?

Which is bigger, Avalon Tapestry II or River Duchess?

Avalon Tapestry II is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 3,500 gross tons for River Duchess. Avalon Tapestry II carries 128 passengers and River Duchess carries 134.

Which ship is newer, Avalon Tapestry II or River Duchess?

Avalon Tapestry II is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2015 against 2003 for River Duchess.

Which has more space per passenger?

Avalon Tapestry II, with 39.1 gross tons per passenger against 26.1 on River Duchess. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Avalon Tapestry II, with one crew member for every 3.5 passengers against one for every 3.9 on River Duchess.

Which is better for families?

Avalon Tapestry II scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for River Duchess.

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