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Ship comparison

Le Jacques Cartier vs Viking Njord

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Le Jacques Cartier is an intimate Ponant Cruises ship carrying 184 passengers, in service since 2020. Viking Njord is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2012. Viking Njord has no Bliss scores yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.

Choose Le Jacques Cartier if you want more space per passenger, more crew per passenger or a newer ship: it has 54.2 gross tons per passenger (vs 26.3), it has a crew member for every 1.6 passengers (vs 3.8) and its maiden voyage was in 2020 (vs 2012).

Viking Njord does not lead by a clear margin on any measure we track, so pick it for its itinerary or its dates.

Side by side

Specifications

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

Le Jacques CartierViking Njord
Cruise line Ponant Cruises Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2020 (better) 2012
Gross tonnage 9,976 5,000
Passengers 184 190
Crew 112 50
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 1.6 (better) 3.8
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 54.2 (better) 26.3
Decks 7 4
Length 430 ft 443 ft
Beam 59 ft 37 ft
Speed 14 mph 17 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 33 —
Upcoming sailings 53 —
Cruise lengths 3–16 nights —
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,260 —

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday.

Viking Njord has no Bliss scores yet.

  • Active Le Jacques Cartier: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Le Jacques Cartier: 7.0
  • Cultural Le Jacques Cartier: 7.0
  • Dining Le Jacques Cartier: 8.0
  • Entertainment Le Jacques Cartier: 5.0
  • Family friendly Le Jacques Cartier: 5.0
  • Party Le Jacques Cartier: 5.0
  • Romantic Le Jacques Cartier: 8.0
  • Spa & fitness Le Jacques Cartier: 6.0
  • Staterooms Le Jacques Cartier: 6.0

Ponant Cruises

Le Jacques Cartier

The 184-passenger Le Jacques Cartier expedition ship from Ponant debuted in July 2020 and offers a superior small-ship cruising experience, complete with stylish interior and exterior spaces, state-of-the-art technology aimed at sustainability, and boutique staterooms and comfortable suites with large windows and either a private balcony…

Sailing now

33 cruises on sale, from $2,260.

Viking River Cruises

Viking Njord

The 190-passenger Viking Njord Longship takes travelers through the Rhine River Valley, calling on small, charming river ports along the way between Amsterdam and Basel.

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

Questions

Le Jacques Cartier or Viking Njord?

Which is bigger, Le Jacques Cartier or Viking Njord?

Le Jacques Cartier is bigger at 9,976 gross tons, against 5,000 gross tons for Viking Njord. Le Jacques Cartier carries 184 passengers and Viking Njord carries 190.

Which ship is newer, Le Jacques Cartier or Viking Njord?

Le Jacques Cartier is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2020 against 2012 for Viking Njord.

Which has more space per passenger?

Le Jacques Cartier, with 54.2 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Njord. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Le Jacques Cartier, with one crew member for every 1.6 passengers against one for every 3.8 on Viking Njord.

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