Ponant Cruises
Le Bougainville
- Cruises
- 40
- From
- $4,180
Ship comparison
Le Bougainville vs Viking Vili
Viking River Cruises
Viking Vili
- Cruises
- 6
- From
- $2,999
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Le Bougainville is an intimate Ponant Cruises ship carrying 184 passengers, in service since 2019. Viking Vili is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2014.
Choose Le Bougainville if you want more space per passenger, more crew per passenger or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Viking Vili for family friendly (5.0 vs 0.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 53.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 26.3) and it has a crew member for every 1.7 passengers (vs 3.8).
Choose Viking Vili if you want more culture or a lower starting fare: it outscores Le Bougainville for cultural (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,999 (vs $4,180).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Le Bougainville | Viking Vili | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Ponant Cruises | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2019 (better) | 2014 |
| Gross tonnage | 9,900 | 5,000 |
| Passengers | 184 | 190 |
| Crew | 110 | 50 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.7 (better) | 3.8 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 53.8 (better) | 26.3 |
| Decks | 6 | 4 |
| Length | 430 ft | 443 ft |
| Beam | 59 ft | 37 ft |
| Speed | 14 mph | 17 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 40 | 6 |
| Upcoming sailings | 53 | 43 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–12 nights | 7–14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $4,180 | $2,999 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Le Bougainville leads on 5 of the ten, Viking Vili on 1, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Ponant Cruises
Le Bougainville
Featuring innovative and environmentally friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows and lounge areas that open onto the outside, Le Bougainville launched in August 2019 as one of the new luxury expedition yachts from France-based Ponant cruise line.
Sailing now
40 cruises on sale, from $4,180.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Vili
The 190-passenger Viking Vili takes travelers through scenic vistas of tulip fields, castles and charming riverside towns as well as stops in Vienna, Budapest and Amsterdam.
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 wi-fi
- "Balcony" cabins have floor-to-ceiling glass doors
- Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by
Sailing now
6 cruises on sale, from $2,999.
Questions
Le Bougainville or Viking Vili?
Which is bigger, Le Bougainville or Viking Vili?
Le Bougainville is bigger at 9,900 gross tons, against 5,000 gross tons for Viking Vili. Le Bougainville carries 184 passengers and Viking Vili carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Le Bougainville or Viking Vili?
Le Bougainville is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2019 against 2014 for Viking Vili.
Which has more space per passenger?
Le Bougainville, with 53.8 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Vili. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Le Bougainville, with one crew member for every 1.7 passengers against one for every 3.8 on Viking Vili.
Which is better for families?
Le Bougainville scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 0.0 for Viking Vili.
Still deciding?
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