Avalon Waterways
Avalon Tapestry II
- Cruises
- 9
- From
- $4,450
Ship comparison
Avalon Tapestry II vs Serene
Tauck River Cruises
Serene
- Cruises
- 8
- From
- —
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Avalon Tapestry II is an intimate Avalon Waterways ship carrying 128 passengers, in service since 2015. Serene is an intimate Tauck River Cruises ship carrying 124 passengers, in service since 2026. Serene has no specs yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.
Choose Avalon Tapestry II if you want a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Serene for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 4.5) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Serene if you want a more family-friendly ship, a newer ship or more crew per passenger: it outscores Avalon Tapestry II for family friendly (6.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2026 (vs 2015) and it has a crew member for every 2.5 passengers (vs 3.5).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Avalon Tapestry II | Serene | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways | Tauck River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2015 | 2026 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 5,000 | — |
| Passengers | 128 | 124 |
| Crew | 37 | 50 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.5 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.1 | — |
| Cabins | — | 62 |
| Decks | 4 | 4 |
| Length | 361 ft | 410 ft |
| Beam | 37 ft | — |
| Speed | 9 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | — |
| Cruises on sale | 9 | 8 |
| Upcoming sailings | 221 | 41 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–17 nights | 5–11 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $4,450 | — |
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 1 of the ten, Serene on 7, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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
9 cruises on sale, from $4,450.
-
10 Night Paris to Normandy with 3 Nights in London and Land Tour
$4,450
-
16 Night Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera (Southbound) and Land Tour
$11,637
About Avalon Tapestry II Plan my cruise on Avalon Tapestry II
Tauck River Cruises
Serene
Sailing now
8 cruises on sale.
Questions
Avalon Tapestry II or Serene?
Which ship is newer, Avalon Tapestry II or Serene?
Serene is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2026 against 2015 for Avalon Tapestry II.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Serene, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 3.5 on Avalon Tapestry II.
Which is better for families?
Serene scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for Avalon Tapestry II.
Still deciding?
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