Riviera River Cruises says that travel advisor and client demand has led the brand to schedule a new ship and itinerary along the Douro River in Portugal and Spain in 2024.
The Porto Mirante will join the existing Douro Elegance and Douro Splendour in sailing the line’s popular “Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca River Cruise” itinerary. Porto Mirante will make 10 departures from July to October of next year.
Our only itinerary on the Douro River has grown to become one of our most popular cruises, so we’re launching a new ship and a new itinerary to keep up with demand there.
“Our only itinerary on the Douro River has grown to become one of our most popular cruises, so we’re launching a new ship and a new itinerary to keep up with demand there,” said Marilyn Conroy, executive vice president of sales and marketing, North America for Riviera River Cruises. “The stylish new Porto Mirante will take guests through the stunning heart of the winelands along the river, with excursions led by local experts who offer fascinating insight into the destinations we visit. And, as on all our 2024 river cruises, guests will enjoy our new Superior drinks package, free of charge.”
The new ship will debut in 2024.
Credit: 2023 Riviera River CruisesPorto Mirante will measure 262 feet long with a capacity of 118 guests, making it smaller than the current 126-passenger sister ships sailing in the region. Unlike the angular Elegance and Splendour, Porto Mirante will more closely resemble the flowing exterior appearance of Riviera’s other vessels chartered from Scylla AG.
On the inside, it will showcase a central skylight-topped, double-decker atrium with an upper bar and lounge linked by floor-to-ceiling windows to the restaurant below. On the shaded sun deck will be an additional sky lounge, a bar and a splash pool with decorative zero-edge, and a fitness center will round out the venues.
Renderings illustrate that, unlike on most riverboats, one such space will be enclosed on the upper deck at the stern. On the opposite end, the wheelhouse, or navigation bridge, will be placed all the way forward.
Each of the 59 cabins will comprise 172 square feet with those on the Diamond (upper) and Ruby (middle) decks, including French balconies with a sliding door. Emerald (lower) deck standard cabins, meanwhile, will have a lounge chair with a small table, likely below a narrow window overlooking the waterline. All staterooms will further encompass double beds (which can be converted into twin beds), a bathroom with a rain shower, a desk and a chair, a flat-screen television, air conditioning, a coffee machine and more.
The ship’s atrium
Credit: 2023 Riviera River CruisesHighlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca River Cruise Itinerary
As for the “Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca River Cruise” itinerary, the eight-day route will sail roundtrip from Porto. Highlights along the way include Porto’s Old Town; Quinta da Pacheca for a wine-paired dinner; the 12th-century fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo; a flamenco show and lunch in Salamanca, Spain; Quinta da Avessada for lunch and Moscatel wines; Lamego and the Mateus Palace gardens; and port wine tasting at Vila Nova de Gaia or a tour of Guimaraes, considered to be the birthplace of Portugal.
