Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vela
- Cruises
- 111
- From
- $2,599
Ship comparison
Viking Vela vs Viking Vesta
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vesta
- Cruises
- 98
- From
- $2,599
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Viking Vela is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 998 passengers, in service since 2024. Viking Vesta is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 998 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Viking Vela if you want better-rated dining, more culture or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Vesta for dining (9.0 vs 7.0), cultural (10.0 vs 8.0) and romantic (10.0 vs 9.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Viking Vesta if you want a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Viking Vela for family friendly (5.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Viking Vela | Viking Vesta | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises |
| Ship size | Medium | Medium |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2024 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 47,800 | 48,900 |
| Passengers | 998 | 998 |
| Crew | 463 | 465 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.2 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 47.9 | 49.0 (better) |
| Decks | 14 | 10 |
| Length | 784 ft | 784 ft |
| Beam | 101 ft | 101 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | 23 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | — | 10 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 111 | 98 |
| Upcoming sailings | 189 | 139 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–35 nights | 7–169 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 Vela leads on 6 of the ten, Viking Vesta on 1, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vesta
Viking Vesta joined Viking’s ocean fleet in July 2025. It carries just 998 guests in 499 staterooms, and every stateroom has a private veranda — one of the defining traits of Viking’s all-veranda ocean design.
Sailing now
98 cruises on sale, from $2,599.
Questions
Viking Vela or Viking Vesta?
Which is bigger, Viking Vela or Viking Vesta?
Viking Vesta is bigger at 48,900 gross tons, against 47,800 gross tons for Viking Vela. Viking Vela carries 998 passengers and Viking Vesta carries 998.
Which ship is newer, Viking Vela or Viking Vesta?
Viking Vesta is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2024 for Viking Vela.
Which has more space per passenger?
Viking Vesta, with 49.0 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 Vesta, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.2 on Viking Vela.
Which is better for families?
Viking Vesta scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 2.0 for Viking Vela.
Still deciding?
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