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Ship comparison

Star Clipper vs Viking Skadi

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Star Clipper is an intimate Star Clippers ship carrying 170 passengers, in service since 1992. Viking Skadi is an intimate Viking River Cruises ship carrying 190 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose Star Clipper if you want a more romantic trip, more adventure and nature or more crew per passenger: it outscores Viking Skadi for romantic (9.0 vs 5.0) and adventure & nature (7.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has a crew member for every 2.4 passengers (vs 4.2).

Choose Viking Skadi if you want more space per passenger, a newer ship or better-rated dining: it outscores Star Clipper for dining (8.0 vs 6.2) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 26.3 gross tons per passenger (vs 13.5) and its maiden voyage was in 2013 (vs 1992).

Side by side

Specifications

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

Star ClipperViking Skadi
Cruise line Star Clippers Viking River Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 1992 2013 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2014 —
Gross tonnage 2,298 5,000
Passengers 170 190
Crew 72 45
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.4 (better) 4.2
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 13.5 26.3 (better)
Decks 4 4
Length 360 ft 443 ft
Beam 50 ft 37 ft
Speed — 17 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 7 / 10 9 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale — 5
Upcoming sailings — 78
Cruise lengths — 7 to 14 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. Star Clipper leads on 5 of the ten, Viking Skadi on 2, with 3 level.

  • Active Star Clipper: 8.0 Viking Skadi: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Star Clipper: 7.0 Viking Skadi: 3.0
  • Cultural Star Clipper: 8.0 Viking Skadi: 8.0
  • Dining Star Clipper: 6.2 Viking Skadi: 8.0
  • Entertainment Star Clipper: 6.0 Viking Skadi: 6.0
  • Family friendly Star Clipper: 2.0 Viking Skadi: 2.0
  • Party Star Clipper: 2.0 Viking Skadi: 1.0
  • Romantic Star Clipper: 9.0 Viking Skadi: 5.0
  • Spa & fitness Star Clipper: 5.0 Viking Skadi: 2.0
  • Staterooms Star Clipper: 6.0 Viking Skadi: 7.0

Star Clippers

Star Clipper

Star Clipper is a true clipper ship, reflecting its proud heritage in every inch of its polished brass. Star Clippers' unique vessel offers passengers a "new age of sail," where tradition meets present-day amenities. At 360 feet long, this ship carries 170 guests and aims to provide a yacht-like experience.

Highlights

  • Two onboard swimming pools
  • Indoor/outdoor Tropical Bar
  • Open-seating for all meals

Viking River Cruises

Viking Skadi

Viking Skadi, named for the Norse goddess of winter, is part of the Viking Longships invasion that has taken river cruising by storm. Having a chance to sail on one of the new Viking Longships for the first time was an exciting way to discover the Christmas Markets along the Danube River.

Highlights

  • Free shipwide wireless Internet service
  • "Balcony" cabins have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
  • Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship is great place to watch the river roll by
  • Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

Sailing now

5 cruises on sale, from $1,999.

Questions

Star Clipper or Viking Skadi?

Which is bigger, Star Clipper or Viking Skadi?

Viking Skadi is bigger at 5,000 gross tons, against 2,298 gross tons for Star Clipper. Star Clipper carries 170 passengers and Viking Skadi carries 190.

Which ship is newer, Star Clipper or Viking Skadi?

Viking Skadi is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2013 against 1992 for Star Clipper.

Which has more space per passenger?

Viking Skadi, with 26.3 gross tons per passenger against 13.5 on Star Clipper. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Star Clipper, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 4.2 on Viking Skadi.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10.

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