Ponant Cruises
Le Laperouse
- Cruises
- 6
- From
- —
Ship comparison
Le Laperouse vs Viking Var
Viking River Cruises
Viking Var
- Cruises
- 9
- From
- $1,999
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Le Laperouse is an intimate Ponant Cruises ship carrying 184 passengers, in service since 2018. Viking Var is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2013.
Choose Le Laperouse if you want more crew per passenger, more space per passenger or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Viking Var for family friendly (5.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has a crew member for every 1.7 passengers (vs 4.2) and it has 53.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 26.3).
Choose Viking Var if you want better-rated entertainment: it outscores Le Laperouse for entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Le Laperouse | Viking Var | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Ponant Cruises | Viking River Cruises |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2018 (better) | 2013 |
| Gross tonnage | 9,900 | 5,000 |
| Passengers | 184 | 190 |
| Crew | 110 | 45 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.7 (better) | 4.2 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 53.8 (better) | 26.3 |
| Decks | 5 | 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 | 6 | 9 |
| Upcoming sailings | 9 | 92 |
| Cruise lengths | 9 to 11 nights | 7 to 11 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | — | $1,999 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Le Laperouse leads on 4 of the ten, Viking Var on 1, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Ponant Cruises
Le Laperouse
Featuring innovative and environmentally friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows and lounge areas that open onto the outside, Le Laperouse is the first in a new class of luxury expedition yacht from France-based Ponant cruise line. The ship, with just 92 cabins and suites, launched in June 2018.
Sailing now
6 cruises on sale.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Var
The 190-passenger Viking Var offers travelers an idyllic weeklong getaway on the storied Danube River, calling on world-class cities Vienna and Budapest as well as small, charming riverside towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley and farther afield.
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 wireless Internet service
- "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
9 cruises on sale, from $1,999.
Questions
Le Laperouse or Viking Var?
Which is bigger, Le Laperouse or Viking Var?
Le Laperouse is bigger at 9,900 gross tons, against 5,000 gross tons for Viking Var. Le Laperouse carries 184 passengers and Viking Var carries 190.
Which ship is newer, Le Laperouse or Viking Var?
Le Laperouse is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2013 for Viking Var.
Which has more space per passenger?
Le Laperouse, with 53.8 gross tons per passenger against 26.3 on Viking Var. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Le Laperouse, with one crew member for every 1.7 passengers against one for every 4.2 on Viking Var.
Which is better for families?
Le Laperouse scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for Viking Var.
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