Avalon Waterways Now Has the Perfect Ship for Douro River Cruises
Avalon Alegria is Avalon Waterways’ first ship for Douro River cruises. (Photo: John Roberts)
Avalon Waterways now has a cruise ship in Portugal, and I was onboard for the inaugural voyage.
Avalon Alegria carries up to 102 passengers, and I was excited to join this new ship for my first Douro River cruise.
This region is well known for its wine, gorgeous scenery and outdoors activities. It’s been gaining popularity among cruisers seeking to try new itineraries in Europe aside from the Rhine and Danube Rivers.
Alegria is a marvelously intimate ship, with the fleet’s first pool and a variety of amenities that travelers will love.
We boarded the ship in Porto, and during our cruise, we were able to attend the naming ceremony and celebration that featured comedian Cheri Oteri, who is godmother of Avalon Alegria. Oteri sailed with us all week and had a fantastic time, relaying over and over again how proud she was to be picked for such an honor. She mixed and mingled with all her fellow cruisers during the voyage — alongside two friends she had invited along to share the experiences.
Our shorter preview itinerary covered five days (and four nights onboard), with time in these ports: Porto, Regua, Pinhao and Leverinho.
We experienced cooler weather and lots of rain during our cruise at the very start of spring in the Douro Valley. I had picked three of the Active shore excursions offered during our trip, so I was a little worried that our hike or biking tour would get washed out. However, we were fortunate each day with perfect little windows of clear skies during all our adventures ashore.
Our first glimpse of the Douro River in Porto. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)
Colleen and I arrived in early afternoon on our first day to check into the Hilton Porto Gaia hotel, which is located a short walk from the Douro River and a number of bars, restaurants, shops and museums. We grabbed lunch and relaxed after a long day of travel from the U.S.
Colleen had a squid and seafood salad, and I tried the fresh sea bass. We sipped beer and sangria by the river and just breathed in our new surroundings. We were delighted to finally visit this wonderful destination.
The week would deliver plenty of great highlights and memories with new friends.
Here are six things we think you’ll love about Avalon Alegria, Avalon Waterways’ first Douro River cruise ship.
1. The Is the Best Ship for the Douro River
Cruising through the Douro Valley. (Photo: John Roberts)
Avalon Alegria was built with care, offering features that perfectly play up to the beauty of the Douro River.
Up to 102 cruisers travel in style in 51 spacious suites. The public areas feature unobstructed views of 270 degrees or more, so you can soak in all the scenery as you sail through the picturesque Douro Valley. The ship is the standard four decks high, but only 262 feet long, conforming with dimensions for Douro River ships (traditional ships on the Rhine and Danube Rivers, by comparison, are 443 feet long).
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the Panorama Dining Room and Panorama Lounge let in plenty of sunlight. This natural light is enhanced by the modern and bright decor. The design features white walls, ceilings and fixtures, cream carpets and light-colored furniture to offer a cozy and clean feel.
Avalon Alegria also has the first swimming pool on any Avalon Waterways’ ship. Plus, it has a huge “Front Porch” with clear views from the bow of the ship just outside the lounge on Deck 3. Cruisers can enjoy cocktails here while reading or chatting with friends or even choose a seat to eat lunch or dinner from the Panorama Bistro eatery that is set up daily in the lounge.
The Front Porch is an inviting space with green plants and a big chair swing. Misters surround the perimeter to provide cooling relief during the hot summer days.
Avalon Alegria sails weeklong itineraries roundtrip from Porto. The ship visits Porto Antigo, Peso Da Regua, Pocinho, Barca D’Alva and Ferradosa-Leverinho. While in these historic spots, cruisers are spoiled with a wide range of Avalon’s Classic and Discovery shore tours. You can enjoy city and sightseeing tours or visit beautiful places like Salamanca and Amarante. There is an excursion offered to Douro National Park to see impressive birds of prey and another to River Coa to see fascinating archaeological sites with rock paintings and carvings.
2. Fun Active Excursions and Fitness Classes
We biked along the Douro Estuary and coastline on our Avalon Active shore excursion in Porto. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)
Avalon Waterways is a leader for active river cruise travel.
In addition to the roster of Classic and Discovery options, Avalon has Active shore excursions for more fitness-inclined cruisers.
On our short Douro River cruise, Colleen and I joined several others who picked something physical to experience each day. We loved the coastal biking tour with a biologist when we visited Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia at the end of the trip. Our guide was a bird specialist who took us to a refuge to see some of the regional species. Then, we finished our 15 kilometers of pedaling with a long ride along the coast just past where the river meets the sea, and then we visited a maritime museum.
We also did a kayaking outing in the Douro River, which included time going ashore at Love Island and a small picnic after we finished our hour of fun paddling in fast-running waters at the confluence of the Douro and Paiva Rivers. Our program also had a hike in a vineyard (more of a gentle stroll) that featured a look at the scenic acreage tucked into the hillside along the river. After our hike on a drizzly morning, we got a tour of the production process and storage cellar at the vineyard, along with a tasting of three styles of the region’s famed Port wines.
The line is building out additional options and was testing the kayaking and the hike during our inaugural cruise. The hike and Douro River kayaking outing are not featured in the itineraries yet, but hopefully more things like this will be available soon. That would line up with the wonderful Active program they offer in the other itineraries in Europe and elsewhere.
One of my favorite features on Avalon Waterways’ cruises is the onboard Adventure Host. Georgi was on our cruise, and she led morning stretch and yoga sessions (before breakfast) and also accompanied us on our hikes, kayaking and biking.
The ship also has a small fitness center down on Deck 1. It’s a tiny room that has a bike and treadmill. Cruisers can find yoga mats and exercise bands here. You can grab them and use them on the Sky Deck or anywhere else you like for self-directed workouts.
The Adventure Host and the wellness program help active and wellness-focused travelers get the most out of their trip while adhering to their desired lifestyles. The menus offer healthy options, especially at breakfast with daily smoothies and power-packed cereals, mueslis and oatmeal that you can top with nuts, seeds and dried fruits.
3. A Swimming Pool
Avalon Alegria is the first Avalon Waterways’ ship with a swimming pool. (Photo: John Roberts)
Avalon Alegria is the first ship in the fleet with a swimming pool. It’s quite hot mid-summer in the Douro Valley, and the swimming pool and loungers on the Sky Deck create a resort space that cruisers will love. The large pool has a big deck surrounding it where you can lay out on a towel and soak up the sun or sip a cocktail while enjoying a refreshing dip with fellow cruisers.
The pool can be heated, so it will be a delight throughout the season.
4. Design Touches Optimize Stunning Views
The bow area offers a serene Front Porch that allows cruisers to relax in a space that optimizes the river views. (Photo: John Roberts)
Care was taken to enhance all the sightlines and enable cruisers to take in the majestic views of the Douro Valley. The Panorama Lounge and Panorama Dining Room are designed with large windows and unobstructed views. The bar is at the back of the lounge, and the buffet setup is at the back of the restaurant. These features are in the middle of the spaces on many rivers ships and often block some views.
I had already mentioned these spaces and the “Front Porch” at the bow of the ship. Additionally, the Sky Deck offers all kinds of tables, chairs and loungers that are used for relaxing and conversing with friends in the fresh air while sipping wine and watching sunsets.
The Sky Deck also is a good spot for morning walks to enjoy the sunrise or to come and watch the crew navigate the ship through the fascinating locks on the Douro.
The Club Lounge is another wonderful space, located aft on Deck 3. This is an intimate library/coffee lounge, with an inventory of games and books. Plus, this lounge is open 24 hours offering self-serve coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks — mixed nuts, huge chocolate chip cookies and fresh pastries.
There also is an ice machine, and I especially like the flavor-infused water machine. You can choose still or fizzy varieties of magnesium-mineralized waters with healthy flavors such as green tea, ginger lime and grapefruit Moringa.
5. Large and Innovative Suites
The Panorama Suites on Avalon Alegria offer window-facing beds and a huge French balcony opening. (Courtesy Avalon Waterways)
Avalon Waterways celebrated 20 years of river cruising during our voyage. During that time, the line has gathered a loyal following who love a style of travel that combines modern luxury, casual comfort and plenty of benefits included in your fare — dozens of excursions and Avalon’s daily Happy Hour that features cocktails, beer and wine.
The river line’s signature feature, though, has been its innovative Suite Ships, with the brilliant concept to face the beds in your accommodations toward the windows. This is a game-changer — Avalon calls it a no-brainer — because you’re always able to soak in the views from the river as the scenery floats past your window.
Avalon Alegria’s floor-to-ceiling windows in the suites can be lowered halfway down to a railing, thus creating a 7-foot-wide opening that essentially converts your entire stateroom into a balcony. You really appreciate the fresh air that flows into the room and the chance to wake up to the sunrise with the river in full view.
You’ll find yourself lingering in your bed and savoring the calming vistas. The Panorama Suites on Alegria are a generous 200 square feet, and they include a large walk-in shower that is bigger than almost any I have had on my dozens of river cruises.
6. Flexible Options for Dining
The Panorama Dining Room is open seating with plentiful window views from every seat. (Photo: John Roberts)
The ship features three restaurants plus room service. The Panorama Dining room is the main restaurant with open seating that serves breakfast and lunch buffets. Breakfasts offer fresh fruits and breads, along with the healthy muesli I mentioned above. You also can get made-to-order omelets and goodies like Belgian waffles.
At lunch, expect a carving station with pork or lamb, fresh fish, soups and a pasta station. You will find a nice selection of desserts and an ice cream station, with a staffer serving you dishes of three different flavors at a station with all kinds of toppings.
Burgers are available to order, too.
The Panorama Bistro is the casual eatery in the lounge. It offers a menu that is just a slight variation on what is being served at the same time in the main dining room. Many will enjoy the option to grab the smaller pre-portioned plates and have a quicker meal — especially during dinner times.
You might want to get off the ship after dinner for a walk at sunset or to do some other independent exploration, and you can save an hour or more of your night with a quick 30-minute dinner at the bistro.
Sky Grill is a restaurant and bar on the ship’s top deck that is used for barbecue meals a couple of times during your cruise, weather permitting.
We have cruised four times with Avalon Waterways, and Avalon Alegria joins the other ships in the fleet as ideal ways to see interesting destinations like the Douro Valley is style and comfort, supported by an outstanding shore excursion and culinary program.
Read about and watch my other trips with Avalon: