Travel enthusiasts gathered on the rain-drenched banks of Portugal's Douro River in Pinhao last Thursday (March 28th) to witness the christening of Avalon Waterways' newest riverboat - Avalon Alegria.
Cheri Oteri (actress and former Saturday Night Live cast member) as the ship's godmother officially introduced Avalon's first ship in Portugal and the fleet's 15th boat.
Avalon Alegria, boasting 102 staterooms, embarked on her maiden voyage on March 26th. The 4-night journey served as a short version of Avalon's new Douro itinerary scheduled for 2024.
Among the guests on the inaugural cruise were executives from Avalon and Globus, alongside travel advisors and members of the media.
Pamela Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, emphasized the significance of the ship's name, Alegria, which translates to 'happiness' in Portuguese. This played a pivotal role in selecting Oteri as the ship's godmother, with Hoffee describing the Emmy-nominated comedian as the ideal candidate.
To culminate the christening festivities, Avalon treated Oteri and guests to a spectacular fireworks display on the sundeck, offering breathtaking views of the terraced vineyard hillsides that grace the Douro.
The Avalon Alegria's inaugural revenue cruise is scheduled to depart on April 3.