One year away: Avalon to debut new itinerary & ship in Portugal

One year from this week, in 2024, Avalon Waterways will make its Portugal debut on the Douro River with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria. 

Marking the company’s 15th Suite Ship in Europe and first sailings on the picturesque Douro, Avalon is poised to give its guests the newest view of the Old World.

Until then, Bordeaux, Tuscany and Napa fans have a whole new destination to raise their glasses to. 

Winding through the terraced vineyards and charming villages of the Douro Valley, Portugal’s Douro River promises some of Europe’s most delectable views, vistas and vinho.

“We’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to add Portugal to our robust vacation portfolio and that day has finally arrived,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “Inviting our guests to sail the Douro for the first time, we’re bringing the Suite Ships of Avalon, the grandest views in cruising and whim-powered itineraries to Southwestern Europe. And we couldn’t be more excited.”

There's Avalon’s all-new, eight-day Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro  which begins and ends in Porto and is filled with Avalon’s signature, included “Classic,” “Discovery” and “Active” excursion choices. 

Featuring everything from ancient Amarante – in the Minho region – to the sandstone architecture in Salamanca Spain; rock art to riding bikes from Porto to the sea, this new cruise promises "countless ways to soak up splendor." 

Living up to its name (which, in Portuguese, means “happiness”), the Avalon Alegria – like all Suite Ships – will feature Panorama Suites on two full decks. 

Each Suite provides 200-square-feet of living space, open-air balconies and beds facing the views for which river cruising is famous. 

In addition, the Alegria, has a pool on the Sky Deck while sailing from a new, poolside point-of-view. 

This new Suite Ship, built exclusively to sail the Douro, will have a total of 14 Deluxe Staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites, accommodating just 102 guests and 33 crew members. 

“Our new Portugal cruise departures are already more than 50 percent sold for 2024. Cruisers wanting to experience the Avalon Alegria in her inaugural year shouldn’t wait to book," said Hoffee. 

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