Avalon Alegria

The 2024-built Avalon Alegria cruise ship is a smaller version of Avalon Waterways' "SUITE Ships". The boat is Avalon's first specifically designed for Douro River cruises in Portugal. The itineraries are based on roundtrip departures from homeport Oporto/Leixoes. Alegria is also Avalon's 15th fleet member.

The ship's name (Alegria) translates from Spanish as "happiness".

Like most Douro River cruisers, Avalon Alegria is owned by DouroAzul (subsidiary of Mystic Invest) and operated under a long-term charter by Avalon Waterways. Also traditionally, all newbuild riverboats operating on the Douro River are constructed by the Portuguese shipbuilder Estaleiros Navais (WestSEA Shipyard) in Viana do Castelo.

The vessel is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 263441852) and registered in Lisbon.

Avalon Alegria's christening was held on March 28, 2024, dockside in Port Pinhao. The naming ceremony was led by godmother Cheryl Ann Oteri (1962-born American actress, former cast member on NBC's sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live"/1995-2000) and attended by Pamela Hoffee (Avalon Waterways' President). The special event ended with a fireworks display on the Sky Deck/sundeck.

Decks and Cabins

Avalon Alegria staterooms (51 total) include 37x Panorama Suites and 14x Deluxe Staterooms. All passenger cabins are outside and with unobstructed views.

Panorama Suites are with wall-to-wall and floor-ceiling windows that open/drop down to create a French Balcony (inside open-air balcony with railings). The design allows more indoor space in comparison to standard staterooms with walk-out balconies. Panorama Suite's bed is window-facing ("Bed with a View") providing unobstructed views of the passing riverside scenery.

Panorama Suites (sized 19 m2/200 ft2) are on the upper decks (2-Sapphire and 3-Royal). The Deluxe Staterooms are in two categories (sized 16 m2/170 ft2 and 17 m2/180 ft2) and are all located on deck 1 (Indigo Deck). All Deluxe cabins are with fixed/non-opening windows positioned near the ceiling.

The boat has 4 decks, of which 3 are with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and Amenities

Avalon Alegria ship's facilities include a Panorama Lounge & Bar (aka Observation Lounge located forward on Royal Deck/deck 3) that also includes the Panorama Bistro (casual dining venue), Panorama Dining Room (glass-walled restaurant forward on Sapphire Deck/deck 2), Sky Grill (open-air/alfresco dining venue located midship-aft on Sun Deck/deck 4).

Aft on Royal Deck is the Club Lounge (relaxation venue with stern views from wall-to-wall windows) where are served brand coffees and teas, cold drinks, and snacks (including fresh-made pastries). The Club Lounge doubles as the ship's Library providing a selection of books, as well as playing cards and popular board games. In the evenings, the Club Lounge transforms into Cinema hosting Movie Night (fresh popcorn provided) with the films streamed to all in-cabin TVs.

The Observation Lounge features cozy and comfortable seating, wall-to-wall and floor-ceiling windows (providing 270-degree views), a dance floor (silent disco nightly/Virtual DJ Music System). Here is also offered a light luncheon fare. Every evening in the Panorama Lounge is scheduled Happy Hour featuring complimentary beverages by the glass - house beers, wines, cocktails and the drink-of-the-day. Throughout the day, at the Lounge's Bar are available specialty coffees and brand teas, espresso beverages and flavored and infused water. Afternoon Tea service features specialty coffees, brand tea selection and gourmet sweets.

A slide-opening glass doors provide direct access from the Panorama Lounge to the bow-facing Outside Viewing Deck (aka Bow Terrace) with outdoor seating.

The glass-walled Panorama Dining Room is with an open-seating arrangement (no table reservations required) and full seating capacity. It offers a lunch buffet with classic and regional/local dishes, including Avalon Fresh (healthy cuisine items at every meal), vegetarian options (at every meal) and chef's daily specialties. The buffet has separate carving meats and pasta stations. The buffet breakfast features a full range of classic items, Avalon Fresh healthy items and daily a-la-carte-priced specials. Dinners are 4-course, with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts/cheese.

Vegan and allergy-free food is also offered. Seasonal cuisine specialties are made from the freshest ingredients sourced from local markets in destinations visited on the current cruise itinerary.

Complimentary beverages (wine and beer by the glass and soft drinks) are provided with lunch and dinner.

Alfresco lunch is offered on Sky Deck (schedule and weather permitting).

One elevator interconnects all cabin decks - except the Sun Deck accessed only by outdoor stairs.

Forward on the 1st floor (Indigo Deck) are the Fitness Center (gym room fitted with modern exercise equipment including workout machines, free weights, TV, plus a small stretch area) and the Adventure Center (providing complimentary gear for outdoor activities/Nordic walking poles, maps). A dedicated Avalon Adventure Host serves the latter, assisting with information on land tours, active excursions, shipboard fitness classes and sundeck's open-air activities.

The Sky Deck is the boat's best vantage point to enjoy the unique views along the Douro Valley and its steep hillside vineyards. The Sky Deck/sundeck has a large swimming pool, a sunbathing area (with premium loungers, padded deckchairs) and a shaded seating area (with retractable awnings).

On all guided shore excursions the company provides headsets. In-cabin TVs have satellite reception, English-speaking channels, an infotainment system (100+ free movies).

The boat has a dedicated Cruise Director. The crewmembers and staff are English-speaking and friendly.

The company's cruise fares are inclusive of shipboard dining (including Avalon Fresh menu items), premium beverages (coffee/tea and spirits), Wi-Fi access, Room Service (for Continental Breakfast).

Douro River cruise itineraries

Avalon Alegria's itinerary program started with the Maiden Voyage on March 31, 2024 (starting in Lisbon/April 1st embarking from Oporto).

With the Alegria ship, Avalon Waterways offers the new 10-day itinerary "Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along The Douro". The cruise tour combines a traditional 7-day cruise-only part (roundtrip from Oporto) with a 3-night hotel stay in Lisbon.

The 10-day cruisetour combines 38x shore excursions - Classic (scheduled/complimentary) and Discovery and Active (optional/at extra cost). Land tours include guided activities like bike rides, food and wine tastings, cooking (baking traditional Portuguese pastries), visiting privately owned farms, and sampling local foods. At a craft class (led by a professional painter) tourists can create Portugal's traditional blue-and-white azulejo tiles.

Departures are from Lisbon, with land transfers to Oporto/Leixoes.

The next table shows the Douro cruise itinerary's destinations.

Cruisetours prices in 2024 started from GBP 2730 (EUR 3180/USD 3450) per person with double occupancy.

The classic 7-night voyage on the Douro leaves from Oporto and goes all the way to the Spanish border and back. The itinerary visits Regua, Pocinho, Aregos, as well as Vega de Terron/bus travel to Salamanca.