Amadeus River Cruises has unveiled the itinerary and shore excursion program for its newest vessel, the Amadeus Douro.
Purpose-built for the Douro River and marking the company’s entry to Portugal, the ship will make its debut in May 2028, with the inaugural season continuing through November.
The company highlighted its eight-day “Portugal & the Golden Douro River” itinerary that will take guests through the Douro Valley, operating seasonally from March through November, sailing roundtrip from Porto/Vila Nova de Gaia
“We are delighted to introduce the next chapter of the Amadeus experience with our first sailings on the Douro River. This itinerary is about more than experiencing the remarkable scenery of the Douro Valley,” said Amadeus President Marcus Leskovar.
“Through our carefully curated excursions and cultural experiences, guests will have the opportunity to connect with Portuguese traditions, meet the people behind the region’s winemaking heritage, savor its cuisine and discover the history that makes this part of Europe so special.”
The company has shared that the ship will be able to accommodate 107 guests in 52 staterooms featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balconies and three suites with private wraparound balconies.
Public spaces will include an expansive Sun Deck with a swimming pool and lounge, as well as Café Vienna.
Unlike on other ships in the fleet, shore excursions on the Amadeus Douro will be included in the cruise fare, including guided sightseeing, vineyard visits, wine tastings and culinary experiences.
After setting sail from Porto, the ship sails east through the Douro Valley and guest visit Quinta de São Luiz, a historic wine estate where a guided tour of terraced vineyards and traditional wine cellars concludes with a tasting of selected Port wines.
Further into the valley, guests will discover Castelo Rodrigo, a historic hilltop village overlooking the Portuguese countryside.
The itinerary also crosses the Spanish border for a full-day excursion to Salamanca, and continues with a visit to Lamego in Portugal, home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and its staircase of 686 steps, decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles.
Guests will also sample regional specialties, including at Quinta da Pacheca, surrounded by historic vineyards.
After exploring Guimarães, considered the birthplace of Portugal, the journey concludes in Porto, where guests get a guided sightseeing tour and a visit to one of the city’s historic Port wine cellars, complete with a guided tasting.
Beyond shore excursions, the itinerary features a collection of Amadeus Experiences designed to bring Portuguese traditions and flavors to life, including a Portuguese language class, traditional folklore performance, discovering the art of opening vintage Port and watching how pastéis de nata custard tarts are prepared.
