Avalon Waterways is heading to the Douro River in Portugal for the first time with a new ship. We got the latest scoop from the line’s president, Pam Hoffee, about what travel advisors and their clients can expect from the new river cruise offering.
The purpose-built, 102-guest Avalon Alegria (meaning “happiness” in Portuguese) will be a new Suite Ship in the fleet when it joins in 2024. Avalon’s signature Panorama Suites, of which there will be 37, will measure in at 200 square feet and showcase beds that face open-air balconies. Another 14 Deluxe Staterooms and an outdoor swimming pool will also be available.
Alegria will offer passengers a mix of included shore excursions along an eight-day itinerary that will feature Porto, Barca d’Alva and more.
What made Avalon Waterways decide to add the Douro to its list of rivers?
Not only is this part of the world beautiful, but the Douro offers an incredibly rich variety of experiences for our guests. And the itinerary we’ve created provides them with a range of immersive excursions to personalize their experience.
In addition, the Globus family has a robust portfolio of touring options in the region which have seen growth in recent years. By expanding those offerings into river cruising, we’re giving guests a new, elevated way to see and experience Portugal. And, of course, our guests and travel advisor partners have had the Douro on their wish list and would like to experience it with Avalon Waterways. In 2024, they can.
How will Avalon explore Portugal differently than the competition?
Some of the villages and ports will be the same; however, Avalon Waterways will provide guests more ways to explore Portugal thanks to our no-one-does-it-like-this AvalonChoice Excursions featuring a selection of Classic, Discovery and Active activities for guests to personalize their experience.
Plus, Avalon will offer an excursion to one of the most remote villages in the country: Freixo de Espada a Cinta in the Douro International Natural Park, home to majestic birds of prey. Other experiences include diving into the region’s Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture and tasting wines in the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. There will also be opportunities to meet farmers and taste their produce, learn to bake local pastries and to paint azulejos (tiles) guided by master artists.
Will Avalon Alegria mostly be a shorter version of the line’s previous vessels (like many other riverboats on the Douro) or can any differences or new innovations be expected?
When Avalon makes the decision to build a new ship, we consider the ship’s design. And every time, we come to the same conclusion: Avalon Waterways’ award-winning Suite Ship design — which we debuted with the Avalon Panorama in 2011 — is second to none. It’s a design that’s beloved by our guests and their advisors and it’s consistent across the fleet.
We will be debuting the same design on the Douro, for a smaller group of guests, while maintaining the features everyone loves from Panorama Suites, from beds facing the views and open-air balconies to the popular club lounge at the aft of the ship. In addition, we have added a swimming pool to the Sky Deck, so guests can enjoy Portugal’s sunny days and warm nights on the ship.
The interior decor looks updated. What inspired the refresh, and will the new look make its way to the existing fleet over time, as well?
For the Avalon Alegria’s interiors, we are once again working with Liane van Leeuwen of Studio L. Liane knows — and adores — the Avalon design style and has worked with us for years. The design inspiration for this ship is similar to other Avalon Suite Ships, including utilizing the area’s landscapes as design inspiration. We will see colors from Portugal reflected in the Avalon Alegria’s interior spaces. And, while we are still finalizing designs for all of the public areas of the ship, we’re thrilled with the look of the Panorama Suites, Deluxe staterooms and corridors we have finalized to date.
When we debuted the Avalon Envision and the View, guests were privy to lighter wood tones and interiors throughout both ships; that trend will continue for the Avalon Alegria. And as we continue to enhance the entire fleet, these design touches are included in updates.
What message do you have for travel advisors specifically regarding the new product?
Portugal is selling very fast, so don’t wait to book. After less than a week since our announcement, more than 15% of capacity is sold for 2024. Additionally, we want to remind advisors that we are offering a Lisbon land extension. And, with all of Avalon Waterways’ extensions, advisors earn their full cruise commission on land offerings.
