Oceania Cruises
Riviera
- Cruises
- 76
- From
- $2,137
Ship comparison
Riviera vs Viking Vela
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vela
- Cruises
- 107
- From
- $2,599
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Riviera is a mid-size Oceania Cruises ship carrying 1,250 passengers, in service since 2012. Viking Vela is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 998 passengers, in service since 2024.
Choose Riviera if you want better-rated staterooms, more crew per passenger or better-rated dining: it outscores Viking Vela for staterooms (10.0 vs 8.0) and dining (10.0 vs 9.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has a crew member for every 1.6 passengers (vs 2.2).
Choose Viking Vela if you want more of a party, a newer ship or more adventure and nature: it outscores Riviera for party (6.0 vs 0.0) and adventure & nature (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2024 (vs 2012).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Riviera | Viking Vela | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Oceania Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises |
| Ship size | Medium | Medium |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2012 | 2024 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2019 | — |
| Gross tonnage | 66,084 | 47,800 |
| Passengers | 1,250 | 998 |
| Crew | 800 | 463 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.6 (better) | 2.2 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 52.9 (better) | 47.9 |
| Decks | 15 | 14 |
| Length | 785 ft | 784 ft |
| Beam | 106 ft | 101 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | 23 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | — |
| Cruises on sale | 76 | 107 |
| Upcoming sailings | 93 | 186 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 68 nights | 7 to 35 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $2,137 (better) | $2,599 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Riviera leads on 2 of the ten, Viking Vela on 3, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Oceania Cruises
Riviera
Riviera debuted in 2012, shortly after her game-changing sister ship Marina, and the cruise line called them "the most beautiful, elegant and sophisticated ships to debut in the past 50 years." Designer touches are everywhere, from the Lalique Grand Staircase to the Owner's Suites furnished by the Ralph Lauren Home Collection, all of…
Sailing now
76 cruises on sale, from $2,137.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vela
The 998-passenger Viking Vela debuted in December 2024 as the 10th ship in the upscale Viking Ocean Cruises fleet. This sophisticated ship was designed to embody the modern Scandinavian aesthetic, featuring elegant interiors and outdoor spaces and providing an intimate cruising experience.
Sailing now
107 cruises on sale, from $2,599.
Questions
Riviera or Viking Vela?
Which is bigger, Riviera or Viking Vela?
Riviera is bigger at 66,084 gross tons, against 47,800 gross tons for Viking Vela. Riviera carries 1,250 passengers and Viking Vela carries 998.
Which ship is newer, Riviera or Viking Vela?
Viking Vela is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2024 against 2012 for Riviera.
Which has more space per passenger?
Riviera, with 52.9 gross tons per passenger against 47.9 on Viking Vela. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Riviera, with one crew member for every 1.6 passengers against one for every 2.2 on Viking Vela.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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