Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Mars
- Cruises
- 68
- From
- $3,299
Ship comparison
Viking Mars vs Viking Vela
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vela
- Cruises
- 107
- From
- $2,599
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Viking Mars is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 930 passengers, in service since 2022. Viking Vela is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 998 passengers, in service since 2024.
Choose Viking Vela if you want better-rated dining, more culture or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Viking Mars for dining (9.0 vs 7.0), cultural (10.0 vs 8.0) and entertainment (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Viking Mars 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.
| Viking Mars | Viking Vela | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises |
| Ship size | Medium | Medium |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 | 2024 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 47,800 | 47,800 |
| Passengers | 930 | 998 |
| Crew | 465 | 463 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.0 (better) | 2.2 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 51.4 (better) | 47.9 |
| Decks | 10 | 14 |
| Length | 745 ft | 784 ft |
| Beam | 94 ft | 101 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | 23 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 | — |
| Cruises on sale | 68 | 107 |
| Upcoming sailings | 121 | 186 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 28 nights | 7 to 35 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $3,299 | $2,599 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Viking Mars leads on 0 of the ten, Viking Vela on 5, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Mars
The eighth ocean ship from Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Mars debuted in May 2022 and offers a rich set of itineraries throughout Europe, Australia and Asia.
Sailing now
68 cruises on sale, from $3,299.
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
Viking Mars or Viking Vela?
Which is bigger, Viking Mars or Viking Vela?
They are the same size, 47,800 gross tons each. Viking Mars carries 930 passengers and Viking Vela carries 998.
Which ship is newer, Viking Mars or Viking Vela?
Viking Vela is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2024 against 2022 for Viking Mars.
Which has more space per passenger?
Viking Mars, with 51.4 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?
Viking Mars, with one crew member for every 2.0 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?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Viking Mars, Viking Vela or a ship that suits you better.