Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Neptune
- Cruises
- 97
- From
- $2,599
Ship comparison
Viking Neptune vs Viking Vela
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vela
- Cruises
- 111
- From
- $2,599
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Viking Neptune 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 entertainment, a better-rated spa and gym or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Viking Neptune for entertainment (8.0 vs 6.0), spa & fitness (10.0 vs 9.0) and family friendly (2.0 vs 1.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Viking Neptune 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 Neptune | Viking Vela | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises |
| Ship size | Medium | Medium |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 | 2024 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 48,000 | 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 | 51.6 (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 | 97 | 111 |
| Upcoming sailings | 172 | 189 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–64 nights | 7–35 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $2,599 | $2,599 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Viking Neptune leads on 0 of the ten, Viking Vela on 7, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Neptune
Viking Neptune entered service in November 2022, joining Viking’s fleet of adults-only, all-veranda ocean ships built to feel more like a floating boutique hotel than a theme-park-at-sea.
Sailing now
97 cruises on sale, from $2,599.
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
111 cruises on sale, from $2,599.
Questions
Viking Neptune or Viking Vela?
Which is bigger, Viking Neptune or Viking Vela?
Viking Neptune is bigger at 48,000 gross tons, against 47,800 gross tons for Viking Vela. Viking Neptune carries 930 passengers and Viking Vela carries 998.
Which ship is newer, Viking Neptune or Viking Vela?
Viking Vela is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2024 against 2022 for Viking Neptune.
Which has more space per passenger?
Viking Neptune, with 51.6 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 Neptune, with one crew member for every 2.0 passengers against one for every 2.2 on Viking Vela.
Which is better for families?
Viking Vela scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10, against 1.0 for Viking Neptune.
Still deciding?
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