uniworld portugal cruise review

Uniworld Portugal Cruise Reviews

1 - 10 of 34 Uniworld Portugal Cruise Reviews

Sail Date: October 2023

Cabin Type: French Balcony

Review for a Europe - River Cruise Cruise on S.S. Sao Gabriel

This was our first river cruise. We have previously done ocean cruises with Princess, Silversea and Seabourn. Once you board the ship, you immediately notice how narrow the ship is. During the cruise you enter several narrow locks and gain a better appreciation for the fact that the ship is designed to fit within these locks with little room to spare !! The ship lobby is very well appointed ... Read More

Sail Date: September 2023

This was our third Uniworld cruise and I can’t believe how disappointed We were with the lack of quality This was very overpriced for the ship, and the disappointment in the quality of the food. It was mediocre at best, we had many fellow travelers complaining as well. The dining staff was rude, one lady ask if she could have a sample of the entrees, she was told NO”we only serve full portions”! ... Read More

Sail Date: October 2022

Cabin Type: Deluxe Stateroom with Window

We have done one previous Uniworld cruise in Bordeaux in 2018 and absolutely loved it. At the end of that trip we asked our fabulous cruise manager Tania, what cruise she recommended and she suggest the Douro. Due to COVID disruptions, we finally did it in September 2022. We booked a top deck (Azores Deck), cabin No. 309 which was a Suite (220 Sq ft/20 sq m) and were delighted with this cabin. ... Read More

Sail Date: September 2022

Cabin Type: Suite

We had previously been on Avalon (Budapest to Amsterdam), Scenic (Bordeaux) and enjoyed both but had not done the Douro which is why we booked on Uniworld Food was average - we expected a greater selection of Portuguese food, hot drinks warm only. The female waiters are the best, they work hard and make sure our needs were met. That is in contrast to the male waiters that were not. Tables ... Read More

Sail Date: July 2022

Review for a Europe - All Cruise on S.S. Sao Gabriel

Uniworld’s tagline is you deserve the best. This is a luxury brand and as guests we should be treated to luxury. I have taken three previous Uniworld cruises that lived up to their reputation. This was far and away the worst of any previous ones taken. The accommodations were cramped, housekeeping was inconsistent, some of the wait staff seemed disinterested and there were times we needed to get ... Read More

Sail Date: May 2022

Food not that great. Too much riding buses to excursions. COVID spread on ship probably due to overcrowding on bus to sites. Crew very nice. I would not recommend this Douro cruise. Excursions not that interesting. Archeological museum tour, there was no museum, only viewed rocks with scratches. 7 km dusty, pothole filled ride to site on overcrowded Toyota SUV. This was after a one hour ... Read More

Sail Date: April 2022

Cabin Type: Grand Suite

I gave Riviera Cruises the worst ever food rating, well here’s some good news for them Uniworld wins hands down for the tasteless school dinners they served up. Crew were lovely and attentive , ship is new so really nice but the fine dinning you expect For the money they charge is missing. I could write a short novel about the crap they served up but I guess you get the picture. The tours were ... Read More

Sail Date: November 2021

Review for a Europe - River Cruise Cruise on Queen Isabel

I have sailed with Uniworld twice before and with Viking a few times. I chose this sailing because of the beauty of Portugal and the friendliness of its people. Although the scenery was lovely, people do need to understand that the regulations on the Douro only allow for sailing during daylight hours. This means very limited time in port and a lot of time on the ship. Also, except for Porto, ... Read More

Sail Date: November 2019

Cabin Type: Outside Stateroom with Window

Overall excellent service. Boarding was very smooth. we were the first to board. Rooms were smaller than other Uniworld boats. We were on the lower level. this boat had a wider wall than other boats. The boat did have a problem with a lack of hot water. cold showers were not pleasant. The water problem did seem to get better later in the cruise, but only for short showers. Food service ... Read More

Sail Date: March 2019

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This Scenic Wine Region Is Europe’s Most Underrated River Cruise Destination

Making the case for escaping the crowds sailing europe’s danube and rhine rivers and heading to portugal’s unesco-protected douro valley instead..

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The historic Douro Valley is delightfully devoid of commercial and industrial development.

Photo by Rach Sam/Unsplash

As our river cruise ship wound its way through Portugal’s postcard-perfect Douro Valley, a colorful passenger train passed through the nearby hills, its occupants leaning out to wave and shout greetings.

Our captain responded with a sharp toot of the S.S. São Gabriel’s horn, drawing cheers from passengers aboard the ship and train alike.

It was a pleasant interruption to a serene, sunny morning, and one of many reminders during a weeklong sailing with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection of the unique charms of one of Europe’s most scenic and unspoiled rivers.

The Rhine has its castles; the Danube has the Wachau Valley and Budapest’s famed Parliament building. But the Douro Valley, with endless views of vineyard-lined, terraced hillsides dotted by quaint villages, wine estates, and the occasional pousada or campground, offers a surprisingly uncrowded respite from the tourist hordes infiltrating Europe’s more popular and populous destinations each summer.

Yes, like every river in Europe, the Douro has seen an increase in river ships plying its waters in recent years, including the São Gabriel , one of several new ships that launched postpandemic to bring the total number of vessels on the Douro River to around two dozen. Yet unlike cruises along the more traveled Rhine and Danube, virtually the entire trip is through the UNESCO-protected Douro Valley, which is delightfully devoid of commercial and industrial development and chain hotels and resorts that attract mass tourism.

Douro river cruises begin and end in the charming coastal city of Porto.

Photo by Simon Pallard/Unsplash

And because no roads run directly parallel to the river, the only traffic along the banks is the occasional passenger train.

What it’s like cruising the Douro River

Douro River cruises start and end in the picturesque Porto and generally include an overnight on each end to explore Portugal’s second largest city.

During a sailing in early June, our boat was docked on the Gaia side of the river, home to the city’s many famous port wine houses and directly across from the historic city center’s colorful terra-cotta-roofed, multi-story townhouses, remnants of 14th-century fortification walls and baroque church towers.

Weary from the three-flight, overnight trip from Albuquerque, I spent the first afternoon warding off jet lag by strolling the hilly, cobblestone-lined streets and alleys along the river near the ship before relaxing on the sundeck to watch flat-bottom wooden boats, or rabelos , traditionally used to transport wine barrels, ferry visitors back and forth to the mouth of the Atlantic.

The next morning, I joined a walking tour that took us across the famed Ponte Dom Luis bridges, along medieval streets and alleys to the Cathedral Sé, a key stop for hikers making their pilgrimage along the region’s famed Camino de Santiago. We then wandered through the San Bento train station, famous for its blue and white-tiled azulejos , or murals that tell stories of the city’s history, before making our way to the Bolhão Market, an open-air farmers’ market, for a taste of canned sardines and bacalao (salted cod). We then wandered Santa Catarina Street, a busy shopping strip full of beautiful cafés, shops, and historical landmarks, before heading back to the boat to begin sailing.

For the next five days we wound our way slowly east along the Douro River to the border of Spain and back, with an itinerary that highlighted the region’s wine and cuisine. In Peso da Régua, about 70 miles from Porto, we visited the Douro Museum for a port tasting and short lecture on the region’s wine-making history. Then we headed to Lamego, home to one of northern Portugal’s most iconic religious landmarks, the hilltop Our Lady of Remedios Sanctuary , which towers above the town with a 686-step, garden-lined, tiered outdoor staircase featuring large blue-and-white-tiled murals of angels. After we made our way down the staircase we stopped for—what else—a sampling of port wine and local meats and cheeses before exploring the town and heading back to the boat.

That evening we took a five-minute drive to a dinner set in the cavernous wine cellar at the Quinta da Pacheca wine estate, known for its Old Tawny Port, and home to the Wine House Hotel, which features luxurious wine barrel–shaped rooms. (There’s even a wine barrel doghouse at the entrance for the resident rescue pooch, Pacheco, who snuck in for a few pets during dinner.) The menu was simple but delicious, a steak filet with a light sauce and some of the tastiest green beans and scalloped potatoes I’ve ever eaten.

The next day we had a relaxing morning sail to the town of Régua where we had an option for an afternoon excursion to the medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo or the archaeological park, Foz Coa , a UNESCO World Heritage site. I opted for the park, where we drove into the valley to see rock carvings dating back to the Stone Age.

On a Douro river sailing, get a taste of Spain with a day trip to Salamanca.

Photo by Shutterstock

On day five, we boarded coaches to cross the border into Spain to explore Salamanca, known as the “Golden City” for its tawny sandstone buildings. Salamanca is home to Spain’s oldest university; among its historic churches are two cathedrals: a newer one, built in the early 16th century, and the Old Cathedral, which dates to the 12th century. The beauty of river cruising is the ability to skip the guided excursions and set out on your own whenever you feel like it. So, my traveling companion and I opted out of the walking tour and instead chose to browse the shops along the Rua Mayor, visit the city’s Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum , and have an outdoor lunch in the baroque building–lined Plaza Mayor before meeting back up with the group for the bus ride back to the boat.

From there it was time to make our way back to Porto. On the return we spent more time sailing, making one more stop in Régua, but this time with tours and winetastings at nearby vineyards.

Sailing on Uniworld’s S.S. “São Gabriel”

A central element of any river cruise is the ship—your floating hotel for the journey. And when it comes to luxury river cruising, Uniworld excels.

The newest ship in Uniworld’s fleet, the S.S. São Gabriel is one of its smallest with 50 cabins. It’s also—because of Portuguese laws on local ownership and employment—the only one in its European fleet not owned by the company or staffed completely by Uniworld employees. (It’s owned by a Portuguese company and leased to Uniworld.) Nevertheless, the service and locally sourced food and wine onboard definitely met the five-star standards one would expect from the luxury line.

A room with a view: Embrace your floating hotel with choice views of passing Douro scenery.

Courtesy of Studios Visuelle Medien Gmbh/Uniworld

The breakfast and lunch buffet spreads offered a mix of local and international cuisine. And dinners were full-service, fine-dining affairs that always included traditional Portuguese dishes like octopus, pork cheek, and caldo verde , a green cabbage and chorizo soup. Oh, and did I mention the wine? Different options were offered tableside each night to best pair with the entrées of the day.

Cabin choices range from grand suites complete with sitting rooms and large bathrooms featuring double vanities, big soaking tubs, and separate showers to more economical lower deck cabins with windows but no balconies. All the suites, both the 4 grand and 12 regular suites, come with 24-hour butler service. And all levels of accommodation include unlimited food and beverages, including signature cocktails and an impressive menu of Portuguese wines, including my new favorite: Montanha Reserva, a crisp, dry sparkling alternative that rivals the finest champagnes.

I stayed in one of the mid-deck French balcony cabins, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows that span the full width of the room and open halfway down with the touch of a button. And while quite cozy at 150 square feet, the space is perfectly adequate on a sailing during which the only time spent in your cabin is while you sleep.

When the weather allowed, I spent most of our sailing time on the sprawling sun deck, which in addition to a swimming pool offers a mix of uncovered and shaded lounge chairs, couches, and tables.

On cooler rainy days, there’s plenty of room to relax in the third-deck glass-walled lounge that at the very front of the vessel offers stunning 180-degree views of the Douro River Valley and the many interesting locks the ship passes through.

For the fitness- and wellness-focused, there’s a small spa and surprisingly well-equipped fitness center. And each morning the spa director led stretching classes on the sundeck or in the lounge, depending on the weather.

During daytime sailings (Douro ships are prohibited for cruising at night), the crew kept guests busy with activities like Portuguese lessons and a demonstration on making the country’s famous pasteis de nata , or custard tarts.

After hours, drinks flow and the DJ spins some dance tunes.

Courtesy of Studios Visuelle Medien/Uniworld

Because the overnights were in smaller towns and villages, there wasn’t much in the way of off-ship nightlife. But the onboard disc jockey made up for it by spinning an array of tunes heavy on Motown that was popular with all the guests, who appeared to be mostly in their 50s and 60s—nearly everyone crowded the dance floor late into the night during a 1970s-themed party.

Most days had two included excursion options, one being a coach tour and another a walking tour of the sites and/or vineyards.

Because there aren’t really any easily accessible roads or bike paths along the Douro, the ship—unlike most of Uniworld’s European fleet—doesn’t carry bicycles for guests to use. But on our final day in Porto we took an optional three-hour “Port to the Sea” excursion on electric bikes (for an add-on price of €49 euros, or US$53) that wound from the ship through a fishing village to a port-side complex that includes a laundry where locals can wash their clothes then leave them outside to hang dry. From there we hopped on a 20- kilometer bike path along the coast, passing windsurfers, many dogs, and families enjoying the weekend on the beach and its array of waterfront cafés, ice cream parlors, and street markets. Our final stop: Praia do Senhor da Pedra , a beach featuring a 17th-century chapel built on giant boulders that juts out into the sea.

It was the perfect end to a perfect trip that offered the right mix of urban bustle and country and seaside serenity.

Sustainability onboard the S.S. “São Gabriel”

Like many cruise lines, Uniworld has eliminated single-use plastics onboard, which includes supplying staterooms with in-room water in glass bottles that cabin attendants diligently refill. Guests are provided with aluminum water bottles that can be refilled on the ship, and soaps, shampoos, and lotions are available in fixed, refillable dispensers. Daily menus incorporate meatless options, including both vegan and vegetarian items. And Uniworld, like its parent company the Travel Corporation, has instituted an automated food waste reduction tracking system. Company-wide, the Travel Corporation aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to source half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: porto (embark).

Arrive in Porto , the port city at the mouth of the Douro.

Day 2: Porto, Entre-os-Rios

Day 3: entre-os-rios, régua, day 4: régua, pocinho, vega de terrón, day 5: vega de terrón (salamanca), barca d’alva, day 6: barca d’alva, régua, day 7: régua (guimarães), porto, day 8: porto (disembark), transfer to lisbon, day 9: lisbon, day 10: lisbon, day 11: lisbon (depart).

If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Lisbon Portela Airport for your flight home. (B)

Trip Inclusions Expand All

Sightseeing highlights.

• 2 countries: Spain and Portugal
• 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
• Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
• Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
• Cultural enrichment

River Cruise Inclusions

• 8 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
• Guided “Do as the Locals Do” program
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions

Included Meals

• All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
• Welcome and Farewell Dinners
• Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

Accommodation

• 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the chic S.S. São Gabriel
• 3 nights in Lisbon at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade (or similar) with breakfast
• Beautifully appointed riverview staterooms and suites with hotel-style beds, draped in fine linens with a choice of pillows
• Free Internet and Wi-Fi access
• Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
• Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Uniworld has elevated all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to an entirely new level. Read more

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Uniworld's award-winning river ships. Read more

Shore excursions for every traveler type. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more

Your Uniworld experience includes many options for you to stay fit both on board and onshore. Read more

Uniworld strives to go above and beyond to deliver you a truly exceptional travel experience. Read more

Be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit. Read more

Trip Reviews (5) Most Recent 'Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley' Reviews

Deck Plans Ship Profile Madeira Deck (Level 1) Cape Verde Deck (Level 2) Azores Deck (Level 3) Sun Deck

Cabins Classic Stateroom Deluxe Stateroom French Balcony Stateroom Suite Grand Suite

Classic Stateroom

• Beautifully appointed riverview stateroom 13 sq m
• Bed with high-quality linens
• Spacious built-in closets
• En-suite bathroom with shower
• L'Occitaine bath & body products
• Flatscreen TV, radio and alarm clock
• Complimentary bathrobes and slippers
• Hairdryer and safe
• Individual climate control

Deluxe Stateroom

• Beautifully appointed riverview stateroom 14 sq m

French Balcony Stateroom

• French Balcony

• Beautifully appointed riverview suite 20 sq m
• French Balconies

Grand Suite

• Beautifully appointed riverview suite 29 sq m

Uniworld River Cruises (2024-25)

Availability twin share (per person) solo (own room), cabin upgrades optional cabin upgrades. upgrades priced per person, similar river cruises.

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You cant beat a Uniworld Cruise

Been on 17 Uniworld cruises now and they are all absolutely perfect. The boat are lovely, the staff are great and the trips out everyday are very very enjoyable. Sophie, who works in the Guernsey office, is especially helpful and knows a great deal about the cruises if you want any help. I can not recommend these cruises enough. The only downside I feel is their pricing structure as the prices change a lot and so it feels a little bit like a lottery when you book as you might find 2 weeks later the same cruise is lots cheaper and that can be a bit frustrating especially when your budget is quite tight as mine is.

Date of experience : September 09, 2023

Top quality river cruises - Highly recommended

Top quality river cruises. We have done the Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhine and Danube cruises - all different but of excellent standard. Met some great people to share unique travel experiences with. Nothing too much trouble! Highly recommended

Date of experience : May 02, 2023

I booked a cruise to travel this…

I booked a cruise to travel this November, for my birthday. I booked my airfare thru Uniworld also. Thinking it would be best, just in case anything happens one stop to better help me to the cruise and back home. My flight got canceled/changed going to paris. I saw this as a Hiccup at first. I reach out to Uniworld, hoping they could help. Much to my surprise they have had attitude: we have no control on the air. I will not go in details. its sad I was very excited a week ago to go, and now i still going because its paid for and I will hope the for the best on getting there. Their customer service before were great, of course that was before I paid them, now they are awful. If looking for River Cruise Company look for another one. I wish I had.

Date of experience : August 14, 2023

Be very cautious in using this Travel…

Be very cautious in using this Travel Company. Booked a cruise through AAA during the pandemic with every intention of going on the trip. Just before travel date our doctor advised not to travel based on our age and the US State Department had travel warnings out for travel to Europe. Consequently we were forced to cancel. When AAA and I both tried to get back the one half cost of the trip penalty, Uniworld basically told us that 's too bad. Meanwhile our agent at AAA said she had used other travel companies and were able to attain full refunds for her customers during the Pandemic. I still might consider travel abroad but I definitely will not be using Uniworld.

Date of experience : May 20, 2022

Very poor, not what we expected

My wife and I have been on 40+ ocean cruises but this was our first river cruise. We booked with Uniworld as part of the Red Carnation group, a hotel group that we frequent on a regular basis. We booked a Douro River cruise from Porto but was disappointed even before we stepped on the boat. Communication was poor regarding embarkation times and cruise itinerary, the information in our suite was from the previous week. Our main issue was the poor service in the restaurant, lack of organisation and lack of experienced staff. The food was ok but not great, but everything was hard work. At breakfast, if you asked for toast you need to ask for butter or you receive dry bread. If you ask for tea and coffee you must ask for milk and sugar if not you go without. The same for dinner, we were offered wine but no wine glasses on the table and that was the same every night. The restaurant staff were a new team and it showed. After a few days we finally found out the reason for the poor service, the cruise is not a Uniworld Cruise, it’s operated by a local contractor who has the license to operate on the Douro River. The boat and 2 butlers are supplied by Uniworld, everyone else is a local contractor. I did email the CEO of Uniworld with my comments but no reply. This is our first and last Uniworld Cruise.

Date of experience : December 09, 2021

Times change.

Times change. We have been on a Uniworld cruise and it was wonderful. Beautiful boats and excellent crew. Sadly, behind the scenes is a different story. Once we saw an excellent promotional presentation, then the last one was truly amateur. We had two Sales Managers reminiscent of the "Judith Chalmers" character played by Victoria Wood and the promised word from the CEO was a poorly presented video. But it gets worse. In spite of covid and the impact it has had on the travel industry, Uniworld has turned into what looks like a money grabbing holiday bucket shop. We were booked on a Christmas Cruise. When the final payment was due, Hungary and Austria (the bulk of the cruise) were not accepting UK travellers. I asked if we could delay payment until the situation was cleared up. I was told no, and that my only option was to cancel. As a gesture of goodwill (a phrase I hate) Uniworld agreed to hold my deposit as a Future Cruise Credit. No problem there. Now, with there being no tourist access to Austria, the cruise cannot be going ahead. I asked if this meant I could now have my deposit refunded and again was told no. Another cruise company I booked with, not only refunded all my money but gave us a substantial credit by way of apology. The other irritation with Uniworld is the way their pricing is all over the place. We found, after we'd cancelled, that they were offering the cruise for half price. No issue for us, but imagine how those that had paid full price must have been feeling. There are other pricing practices I find unacceptable, but not for here. I have told Uniworld I will book something to use the FCC, but it will be the last holiday I book with them. There are T's and C's, but there is also consideration for the customer.

Date of experience : November 24, 2021

Outstanding top-of-the-line river…

Outstanding top-of-the-line river cruises internationally. They set the standard! The food, tours, and accommodations are truly superb!

Date of experience : July 02, 2022

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The Scoop: What to Know About Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Personal service, a focus on great food, and wellness offerings set this river cruise company apart..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

River cruise company Uniworld Boutique River Cruises  offers luxury river cruises to destinations throughout Europe, Egypt, Asia, and South America. With one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the river cruise industry, the company is known for its personal service, cuisine made with fresh locally sourced ingredients, and wellness offerings.

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The company was acquired in 2004 by The Travel Corporation (owner of Trafalgar, Contiki, and more than a dozen other tour companies), and investments were made in the ships and other features to create a boutique hotel experience on the water modeled after sister company Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Ships feature artwork and decor inspired by the waterways on which they travel.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Destinations: 12 itineraries/four continents
• Tour Size Average: Ships have an average capacity of 120 guests
• Tour Type: River cruise

How to Book

You can browse and book on the  Uniworld Boutique River Cruises  website. Request a quote or click “Book Now” to begin the booking process.

Once you’ve filled out all the necessary information and provided payment information, you’ll receive a booking confirmation via email. You can also book through a travel professional.

Credibility Check

Uniworld has received multiple  awards and accolades  over the years and was named best river cruise line by Travel + Leisure (in 2021, 2019, and 2018) and Cruise Critic (in 2018, 2016, and 2015). It has a  Cruise Critic user ranking  of 4.3 out of 5 and rates 5 out 5 on TravelStride. 

Tour Destinations

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offers 12 different itineraries in 2024 and 12 for 2025 where travelers can explore destinations such as Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Central Europe, Peru, Egypt, Southeast Asia, and India.

WHAT TO PACK: 10 Essentials for Your Next River Cruise

Itineraries are offered for eight- to 10-day trips or 15-plus-day excursions, with some options for pre- and post-cruise extensions. Tailored to the location and time of year, they include activities like guided city tours, wine tastings, local cuisine experiences, and active excursions.

Uniworld also offers an annual “Rivers of the World” 55-day sailing that that travels across three continents and to 10 countries aboard four different luxury ships.

Uniworld’s river cruises navigate waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Ganges, Nile, and Mekong Rivers on destination-inspired ships where no two suites are the same (though all feature butler service and large all-marble baths). Itineraries include land excursions hosted by English-speaking local experts, cultural enrichment activities, and onboard meals and local entertainment. 

Tour Guides

Uniworld’s tour guides provide travelers with authentic, immersive experiences and a local perspective of the destinations on each itinerary. The company’s “Nights Out” excursions include private after-hours tours of popular attractions and local nightlife experiences, while its “Let’s Go” excursions feature activities like walking, hiking, cycling, and kayaking. Passengers also have the opportunity to book customizable, private excursions.

What’s Included

• Most meals, including welcome and farewell receptions and dinners
• Unlimited beverages onboard, including wine and spirits
• A choice of excursions, with bicycles and walking sticks for onshore use
• Ship-wide internet and Wi-Fi
• Onboard fitness centers and wellness classes
• Onboard entertainment
• Airport transfers
• Gratuities 

What’s Not Included

• Optional pre- and post-cruise extensions
• Optional excursions
• Spa services
• “Bon voyage” gifts like birthday cakes, chocolates, and wine

Typical Travelers

Uniworld caters primarily to an adult demographic, with a typical age range of mid-30s to seniors. The  Generations Collection  of sailings offers itineraries created for families with activities specially designed for kids.

Communication

Travelers can contact Uniworld at 800-257-2407 or via the Guest Relations email. The website offers a range of important pre-trip information, and there’s also customer service dedicated to after-hours and emergency support.

Loyalty Program

Uniworld is a member of The Travel Corporation (TTC), which offers a loyalty program called the  River Heritage Club . Travelers can become members after completing their first Uniworld Boutique River Cruise, and members receive exclusive benefits and recognition that includes perks like priority notification of new programs and cruises, special onboard amenities, access to member-only events, and complimentary laundry service. 

Sustainability Efforts

Uniworld’s  commitment to sustainability  includes a goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and efforts to eliminate more than 60 types of single-use plastic.

It’s also partnering with Leanpath to cut down on food waste onboard its ships and offers “Make Travel Matter” experiences on cruises that provide positive environmental or social impacts on travelers and destinations and support one or more of the United Nation’s Global Goals.

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The company works with local artisans and small businesses everywhere it travels and has a sustainability officer overseeing these efforts.

Health and Safety Practices

Uniworld offers a  Travel Protection Plan  available for purchase that allows travelers to cancel up to one day prior to their first Uniworld-arranged travel date for any reason and receive a future travel certificate. Full refunds are available for select covered reasons, and travelers are also covered if they become sick while traveling and need to return home. Passengers can find the most current travel requirements and health and safety info for the countries they’ll be visiting on the Uniworld website.

Family Companies

Uniworld is part of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies, which also includes Trafalgar, Contiki, and Brendan Vacations.

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Tour Scoop’s team of travel experts brings you in-depth tour company overviews, tour itinerary reviews, the latest tour news, and travel tips and advice written just for guided tour travelers like you.

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Uniworld - Portugal/Douro River review

By cigloo , August 25, 2014 in River Cruising

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First off I have to say past guest on Uniworld (4 times) AMA Waterways 4 and Tauck 3. Our age is 48 & 53 and we love river cruising until this trip!

We just got back from our Uniworld Cruise sailing on the Douro River and have to say in all our river cruise travels this was the worst river cruise we have ever been on. :( It was extremely disappointing, not even close to the caliber of the other Uniworld cruises or AMA Waterways or Tauck. We were hesitant about booking this cruise because of the reviews here, but the thought of the beautiful scenery and that is what finally won us over, so we went ahead and did this. Big mistake!!

I will try and keep it brief; We met lots of lovely folk on the cruise which really saved the day and we were in a Junior Suite. The trip was not what we have come to expect from Uniworld and I would call it more 2.5* to 3* rather than the five star we are used to on our previous journeys. The food selection was very limited, often tired and overripe and not well presented. Examples are overripe melons, oranges and fruit with mold. Ice cream served in bowl was like soup. Main courses did not match their description and several times it was the same meat or fish with just a different sauce. Out of all the meals the breakfast was the best as you could get fresh eggs. The dining room service was so in disarray and nothing felt smooth or polished.

In regards to the crew, we were very impressed with Ercilia the tour director she was wonderful. Pilar was very efficient and gave lots of information and some great travel tips. As for the rest of the crew generally okay. I wouldn’t say nice or great. They were not well trained at all in service department and customer service wasn’t present at all. They really kept to themselves and did not seem happy to be there and it showed. There were several looks amongst them when a guest would ask for something, you would see a roll of the eyes and then a comment under their breath. English was spoken very little and not understood. We both speak Italian and Spanish which helped a bit, but they just didn’t care. There were several crew members who reported for work extremely hung over and not put together. Dress attire was sporadic, not clean and fresh. We even saw one bus boy drinking from half empty wine glasses on the night of the BBQ on deck when he cleared dishes and put them to the side. Our manager Pedro who spent very little time interacting with passengers and sat alone in the alfresco area at meals being waited on by other staff and had no concerns when we voiced our displeasure about something. He also spent a lot of time standing at the bar. This has not been our previous experience with Hotel Managers. The first pianist was a disaster he played mainly for himself and nothing to dance to or to sing with and his playing time was about 10 minutes then long breaks. During the day we hardly saw him. He left for personal reasons and his replacement was fabulous he played heaps and lots of folk were up dancing and singing it was so different and showed the influence of one person. On a good note, the rooms were spotless and the cleaning staff really efficient.

The scenery was fabulous and the river lovely to be on. In all of our journeys so far this is the only one we would never repeat nor recommend. The cruise did not meet Uniworld’s standards that we have previously experienced and wasn't a value for money. Our feeling from the whole cruise is that the crew knows there isn’t anything Uniworld can do because they have to hire locally and are not allowed to bring in outside employees so their job is cushioned.

The excursions were good, not great and there really is nothing in the ports, you have to be bused to the sights so you do spend a great amount of time on buses.

I would also say, we were not the only ones who experienced this on board. Many guest we talked to submitted their comment cards half way through the cruise to let them know their displeasure. Usually we receive a survey when we come back from Uniworld and so far we have not.

Our friends had gotten home 2 weeks prior to us and had very similar situation but had not spoken to them until our return. That was interesting to hear.

All in all, we cannot recommend this cruise and it is unfortunate for Uniworld. As for going with AMA or Viking on this river, I can’t say if the are the same experience. I would recommend if someone wants to sail this river, they do try AMA over Uniworld for the price difference.

All just our two cents worth.

Jen and Sam

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Ouch. As a soon-to-be Uniworld customer, I'd be hard-pressed to try the line again if I had an experience like this. What really got me was your description of the food. I'm expecting a fantastic dining experience on our Danube cruise in 2 weeks.

Sorry the trip was not what you expected. Hopefully Uniworld takes your feedback to heart.

Barrheadlass

Wow, we had a totally different experience on the Douro with Uniworld 2 years ago. I'm saddened and sorry to hear of your horrible trip.

Host Jazzbeau

Ouch. As a soon-to-be Uniworld customer, I'd be hard-pressed to try the line again if I had an experience like this. What really got me was your description of the food. I'm expecting a fantastic dining experience on our Danube cruise in 2 weeks.   Sorry the trip was not what you expected. Hopefully Uniworld takes your feedback to heart.

Keep in mind that the Douro is different from all other European river trips in that the boats are owned by a Portuguese company, not the cruise line you book with. This may impact Uniworld's ability to deliver their normal level of service. Your Danube cruise will be pure Uniworld and, based on the reviews I have read, should be wonderful.

I will be on the Uniworld Douro River cruise in a few weeks and will post a review when I return.

My wife and I have heard numerous outstanding comments about this cruise and a few less than stellar ones. We are really looking forward to this vacation and will have a good time.

Great reading, thanks for the posting. We have booked this Uniworld cruise for next September and looking forward to it. If Uniworld blows it, we won't be doing China with them in 2016!

In business, we often learn that we can't be all things to all people, nor do good work in all locations for a variety of reasons. If Uniworld, or any other cruise line, find that they can't maintain their level of customer service in a particular market, it is typically better to exit that market then allow their name to become smeared by that market. Blaming the Portugese is not a solution. They should either fix the problem, maintain their level of service, or exit the market, imo.

Great reading, thanks for the posting. We have booked this Uniworld cruise for next September and looking forward to it. If Uniworld blows it, we won't be doing China with them in 2016!   Jazzbeau;   In business, we often learn that we can't be all things to all people, nor do good work in all locations for a variety of reasons. If Uniworld, or any other cruise line, find that they can't maintain their level of customer service in a particular market, it is typically better to exit that market then allow their name to become smeared by that market. Blaming the Portugese is not a solution. They should either fix the problem, maintain their level of service, or exit the market, imo.

That would mean withdrawing from Portugal, Russia, China and many other developing river cruise areas where either the ships are controlled by a local group or the nature of the rivers requires a radically different ship design than the Rhine and Danube model. You can not offer a Douro cruise with one of Uniworld's Danube ships -- the river isn't navigable for a ship of that size and design.

What Uniworld and all the other lines need to do is figure out how to adapt the essence of their product to the different circumstances. This one negative review aside, I don't know that Uniworld hasn't done that in Portugal -- certainly Cruise Critic's recent review of AMA's Douro cruise shows that AMA has adapted well with more hits than misses -- but my point was to reassure the poster who was worried that this report implies that they may have a similar experience on the Danube. Uniworld has been delivering that product for a long time with a high rate of satisfaction and can be expected to do so on this upcoming cruise.

Agree! We understood when we took this cruise with Uniworld that the ship was not owned by them, nor were most of the staff members Uniworld employees. Having taken that into account, the scenery and cruise itself made up for the negatives. Yes, we were bussed to the different sights, but honestly enjoyed the scenery. Hopefully this review will enlighten those who are interested in future Douro cruises and they will still enjoy the experience.

I have to say if I purchase a "brand" and that product is advertised as that brand and priced as that brand then I expect the product to live up to the reputation of the brand. If Uniworld puts it's name on a product then the quality should be what the consumer expects. Jmo and my opinion would be the same for any consumer product.

Great reading everyone's comments about our post. We have to say Got2Cruise nailed it for us;

I have to say if I purchase a "brand" and that product is advertised as that brand and priced as that brand then I expect the product to live up to the reputation of the brand. If Uniworld puts it's name on a product then the quality should be what the consumer expects.

We loved the cruise itinerary it was the ship and crew that did not live up to Uniworld's standards. Like it was mentioned, the cruise lines do not own these ships and have a harder time controlling them, running them to the standard one expects from Uniworld.

We were just bummed by the experience - it wasn't our usual Uniworld experience. The saving grace was the scenery and our fellow passengers :)

Dear Cigloo,

Thank you for your review of our Douro program. Your thoughts and opinions are very important to us, and we sincerely apologize for obviously disappointing you. At your convenience, please contact us at [email protected] , and we will do our best to make things right.

Thank you again for taking the time to post your feedback, and we look forward to hearing from you.

With our appreciation,

The Uniworld Guest Relations Team

We have taken two Uniworld River Cruises and the Douro was on our agenda for a future cruise. Well we a really rethinking this itinerary and probably will eliminate it from our bucket list..

I am just off this Uniworld Cruise ending August 3. While I would rank it fourth among my four Uniworld cruises, I was not nearly as disappointed as cigloo. Our Cruise Manager Luis was very good. He was always around, very eager to help and keep us happy, knowledgeable and fun. I was also impressed with the front desk staff who went to lengths to solve some problems I experienced.

We found the dining room staff to be excellent, attentive and extremely friendly. Absolutely nothing was too much trouble for Silvino the Restaurant Manager, and he was truly proactive about meeting special dietary requirements for the night we enjoyed dinner at a winery. It seemed he knew everyone's name in the first day or two and was always checking to see that we were happy. I agree with cigloo that the food on the ship was not great, and we were told that the chef had been with them only 3 weeks with no previous cruise experience. The chef was never present in the dining room. The egg station at breakfast was a disaster with every omelette served raw, even with repeated reminders to PLEASE cook thoroughly. And the young lady only prepared one egg dish at a time which created long lines.

I was also not thrilled with all the busing but recognized that to be a geographical necessity.

Many of these differing viewpoints seem to highlight how critical the managerial staff is to the experience. The only manager in common between cigloo's cruise and mine seems to be Pedro the Hotel Manager. I also found him to be a bit aloof and not interactive with guests. But our Captain, Cruise Manager and Restaurant Manager were friendly, visible and all that I have come to expect from Uniworld.

Thanks for your review. We have been considering the Douro River for our next river cruise.

We love AmaWaterways, but have been seriously considering doing the Douro River with Uniworld. In fact, I just received a quote from them.

I think we will stick with AmaWaterways for the Douro.

We have just returned from a Seine River cruise on the AmaLegro, and it was fabulous, as was our Danube cruise with them on the AmaLyra last year.

I did see the response on here from Uniworld, so that is a good sign. Hopefully they will take your review into consideration and make the necessary adjustments.

The "river cruise bug" bit us and we are hooked. Can't wait to go again!

We have completed two fabulous River Cruises with Uniworld. We were considering Douro but after reading reviews on CC we are very apprehensive about this itinerary. Our first River Cruise was the Danube with AMA and the cruise was great the food just terrible. We are not foodies and we were so disappointed. The food on Uniworld is wonderful. One night we had the the Chef sit (AMA)at our table with our other table mates and express our displeasure with the food. When I returned I wrote a letter to AMA expressing how disappointed we were with our dining experience. He wrote a reply in essence he didn't have any complaints about the food and maybe our expectations were too high..so we won't be cruising again with AMA. We have friends that love AMA and from this forum people give them high marks..Maybe things have changed but we will stick with Uniworld..

• 2 weeks later...

It is nice the Uniworld CS chimed in on this thread. We did our first Uniworld cruise this past April on the Beatrice. While on board we actively tried to book another cruise. When we got home we recruited another couple and booked Castles on The Rhine for next March.

Our experience with them is that they delivered what they promised. It was fantastic and I consider myself a proactive promoter of their product. Please do not consider withdrawing consideration of Uniworld based and a review of Portugal.

In a candid moment with a Uniworld employee while on the Danube, he admitted that they sometimes have service issues with their charter boats. He explained that it is very difficult to deliver service with employees that don't report to you. He added that it was especially difficult in Russia where they don't exactly have a service culture.

I fully intend on taking most of Uniworld's sailings over the next few years. Uniworld rocks and I will tell this to anyone who asks.

My wife and I arrived in Lisbon yesterday, a day early for our Uniworld Douro River cruise.

We are staying at the Tiara Park Hotel and are extremely pleased with it. We took the hop on hop off bus last evening to get a "feel" of Lisbon. We found a great wine shop just up the street from the hotel and, since we were tired, ate in the hotel restaurant.

The hotel restaurant was a real surprise. The food was much better than we anticipated. Service was spot on. I would definitely eat there again.

We will link up with the Uniworld rep today and will keep updating as we have time.

Look forward to your review. Have a great trip..

After half a day walking up and down the hills (plenty of hills) we met Ereilia, the Uniworld Cruise Manager. We found out that not only will she be handling the Lisbon portion but will be on the ship as well.

Ereillia seems to be really squared away. She had maps and lists of things to do ready to go. Well organized!!! First meeting is 6PM tonight.

We had a great time in one of the Tuk Tuks today. After sightseeing and shopping downtown, we waited, and waited, and waited for one of the Gray Line hop on hop off busses to take us back near the hotel. After we got bored waiting, I spotted one of the TukTuks down the street. It is a little open air three wheeled motor scooter. We rented it and had a thrilling ride from the waterfront to the hotel. Highly recommend it!!! We will rent it again for a couple of hours tomorrow to tour the Alfama district.

Pleased with everything so far except for USAir which screwed up our seats. After flying them for over 25 years, I see their standards dropping below acceptable levels.

Ship's Wake

Fred111, thank you for taking the time to share the details of your trip. :)

Look forward to reading about your journey when you have time to post.

Fred111 I am on this cruse next week with Uniworld. It would be great to hear first hand your experiences. I have sailed with Uniworld many times so I am not too concerned with their service. More interested in the weather, the stops along the river, what tours you took and any suggestions in Lisbon on your own. If you have a change to drop me a line at [email protected] I would appreciate it. Happy sailing!!!

First, our cruise manager's name is really Ercelia. Misspelling on my part on the last post.

We had our in briefing last evening and it was well run. There seems to be a good mix of Americans, Canadian, Brits, and Australians in this group. More diverse than other cruises we have been on. People are very nice so far but most were jet lagged. I recommend coming in a day early and sleeping.

Today, we had breakfast in the hotel. Typical buffet, but very crowed. In addition to our Uniworld group, there are people joining a Silverseas cruise, a Windstar cruise, and a large group from AMA, all trying to eat at the same time.

Our tour of Belem and Lisbon lasted a little over four hours. Very well run by good tour guides. There are seven large cruise ships in town so it was busy everywhere. After the tour we just stayed in town, ate and the wives shopped. We ate at a sidewalk cafe in the square downtown. Two young ladies put on a belly dancing demonstration right in front of out table. They earned quite a bit of money from the appreciative crowd.

Locals told us that this has been a crazy summer. Not real hot and a lot of rain. Of the three days we have been here, it rained very hard all day the first day, a little the second day, and none today. Temperatures have been in the upper 70's and relatively humid.

We are taking the optional tour to Sintra tomorrow, as are most of the people on the cruise.

P.S. for anyone concerned, the buses are large and pretty comfortable. I usually have a problem with not having enough leg room on a bus but am not having problems on these buses.

One more note, if you are taking the hop on hop off bus, there are three companies; Gray Lines, Yellow Bus, and Sightseeing Portugal (I think that is the name). We took Gray Lines. It was clean and the audio worked, but they had significantly fewer buses than the other companies. Given the option, I would take Sightseeing Portugal the next time.

Looking forward to following your trip….we are river cruising maybes...

My wife wanted to go to hear/see Fado so last night we took Ercilia's suggestion and went to see a show rather than a full dinner show. I thought it would sound like two cats fighting on a fence but it wasn't bad. The others with us liked it but given an option, I'd rather see Willy Nelson.

Today is the Sintra tour. I'll post a review when we get back.

OK. Just got back on the internet. Two days reviews and a quick review of the ship follows.

On Saturday we took the optional tour to Sintra. First, the buses are good sized so no knee squeeze problems. Second, the tour guides were really good. Our first stop was at a palace. Nice, but not as fancy as Versailles or the St Petersburg.

Next stop was Sintra. We didn't go to the palace but just walked around the town. This part was well worth the money for the entire trip. Do not miss this town. If you don't take the tour, you can take a train.

Third stop was a beach town for lunch. Very good seafood and good stop overall.

Now for the big question; would I take the tour again. YES. Trip was comfortable, guides were good, and it was much easier than taking the train.

Today we bused from Lisbon to the ship in Porto (really the dock across the river). The ride was easy with a "rest stop", a good lunch, and a tour of the University in Coimbra. Uniworld made this transfer very easy. No complaints at all.

Now for the ship. It is new, clean, well maintained, and manned by a very friendly staff. The bar tender really knows how to make good drinks and the pianist is super. We had dinner tonight and the meal and the service was far better than any we had in Lisbon. I had Proscuitto and melon, onion soup, beef, and gelato. My wife had the proscuitto and melon, onion soup, corvina, and fresh fruit for desert. Plenty of wine and port.

Just a few hours on the ship is not nearly enough to post an in-depth review; however, first impressions have been very good.

Early night tonight. Write more later.

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Sail Europe for half off this summer with this 2-for-1 river cruise sale

If you haven't secured your summer travel yet and Europe is on your mind, read on.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is out with a summer "2-for-1 Flash Sale," which launched Tuesday. The deal essentially offers customers 50% off some of the line's most popular summer sailings to Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and other exciting European destinations .

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Cruise deal details

Uniworld will release new offers in three waves beginning April 16. Two additional summer flash promotions will launch April 23 and April 30. The sale will run through May 10.

The first round of deals features a selection of eight- and 11-night itineraries. They include:

• An eight-night Burgundy and Provence sailing: Departs from Arles, France, and ends in Lyon, France. Rates start from $2,699 (normally $5,399). Ply the Rhone and Saone rivers through southern France aboard S.S. Catherine. Stops include historic villages such as Avignon, Tournon and Tain-l'Hermitage.
• An eight-night Delightful Danube river cruise: Departs from Budapest and ends in Nuremberg, Germany. Rates start from $2,199 (normally $4,399). Soak in European music, art and history while exploring castles or tasting wines in Krems, Austria, and visit the medieval town of Regensburg, Germany, among other fascinating sites.
• An 11-night Portugal, Spain and the Douro voyage: Departs from Porto, Portugal, and ends in Lisbon. Rates start from $3,199 (normally $6,399). Cruise by the terraced hillsides and charming villages of the UNESCO-designated Douro Valley. The cruise showcases Portugal's rich wine history with stops in Porto and Entre-Os-Rios as well as stunning historic churches within the "Golden City" of Salamanca, Spain.

For more details, updated offers and eligible departure dates, visit the Uniworld website .

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

If you decide that the fare discounts offer good value, don't forget to account for the high prices of summer flights to Europe and any pre- or post-cruise stays you might want to book independent of the cruise line. Look at the potential total cost of your trip before making a booking decision to ensure you stay within your summer travel budget.

Uniworld bills itself as a high-end luxury line with the "most all-inclusive" offerings. Its fares include unlimited premium spirits and wine, all meals and onboard gratuities. Guided excursions, Wi-Fi and airport transfers are also included. Additionally, passengers can take advantage of complimentary wellness classes led by a certified instructor and enjoy free onboard activities and entertainment.

The fine print

This promotion will be available to book through May 10.

As is often the case with cruise deals, the summer flash sale promotion does not apply to all sailings. It's only available for select 2024 sailings in June, July, August and September.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here's what you need to know

Additionally, the two-for-one sale comes with the following fine print:

• You are required to pay in full at the time of booking.
• This deal is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2024 itineraries, departure dates, and cabin categories only.
• You must book between April 16, 2024, and May 10, 2024.
• The offer only applies to full-fare bookings.
• Savings featured are for cruise or cruise/tour only, are per person based on double occupancy, and do not apply to other optional vacation add-ons.
• Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date.
• You can't combine this promotion with any other promotional offer, program or price protection credits except standard River Heritage Club member savings/benefits. (River Heritage Club is Uniworld's cruise loyalty program. )

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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2-for-1 Flash Sale

Available for a limited time only.

Save big on select 2024 sailings of our all-inclusive, luxury river cruises by booking two guests for the price of one. And keep checking back as we release more sailings throughout the month!

This offer ends on May 10, 2024.

"2-for-1 Flash Sale" offer requires payment in full at time of booking and is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2024 itineraries, departure dates, and stateroom categories only. Bookings must be made between April 16, 2024 and May 10, 2024. Offer applies to full-fare bookings only. All fares and savings listed are in US dollars. Savings featured are for cruise or cruise/tour only. Savings featured are per person based on double occupancy, and do not apply to other optional vacation add-ons. Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date. Offer is not combinable with any other promotional offer, program, or price protection credits except standard River Heritage Club member savings/benefits. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires May 10, 2024.

Burgundy & Provence

8 days | Arles to Lyon

Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin on this exquisite journey through southern France.

From* $2,199 per person

2-for-1 Fares on select staterooms

*From price based on August 11, 2024 sailing date

Delightful Danube

8 days | Budapest to Nuremberg

An extraordinary journey for aficionados of European history, music and art.

*From price based on August 16, 2024 sailing date

Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley

11 days | Porto to Lisbon

An extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers, with a highlight hotel stay in Lisbon.

From* $2,999 per person

*From price based on July 28, 2024 sailing date

Douro River Valley

8 days | Porto to Porto

An extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers.

From* $2,499 per person

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