SS Sao Gabriel

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Uniworld Sao Gabriel ship cruises on Douro River in Portugal, departing from homeports Lisbon and Oporto.

The shipowner Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company and subsidiary of The Travel Corporation (TTC).

The vessel is Portugal-flagged (MMSI number 263753860) and registered in Oporto.

Sao Gabriel is one of Uniworld's three newbuild riverboats launched in 2020 - together with the fleetmates RV Mekong Jewel (on Mekong River in Cambodia-Vietnam / Southeast Asia) and SS Sphinx (on Nile River in Egypt / North Africa).

Sao Gabriel's Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) was originally scheduled for March 26, 2020, but due to the Coronavirus crisis rescheduled for June 6th and finally June 27, 2021. The newbuild is one of the most luxurious ships cruising on Douro River. Food and wine will be major themes on the cruiser. As for itinerary highlights, passengers can expect the best of Portugal's traditional cuisine and premium wines from the scenic vineyards in Douro Valley (the country's wine-growing region).

The christening ceremony was held on June 27, 2021, led by godmother Joke De Bruyn (Uniworld's Director of Hotel Operations). The special event was attended by Ellen Bettridge (Uniworld's CEO).

UNIWORLD Portugal cruise itineraries

The inaugural cruise is scheduled for March 26, 2020. The ship operates a 13-day cruisetour itinerary inclusive of 7-day cruising (Oporto to Vega de Terron), with ports of call (sequence on the eastbound route) Entre-os-Rios (Amarante), Regua (Lamego), Pinhao, Pocinho (Barca d'Alva / Castelo Rodrigo) and Vega de Terron (debarkation). This UNIWORLD river cruise tour is inclusive of Lisbon hotel (pre-cruise package), bus transfers (Lisbon-Oporto, Vega de Terron-Salamanca, Salamanca-Madrid) and Madrid hotel (post-cruise package).

Next is listed riverboat's day-2-day schedule as officially announced by UNIWORLD:

• DAY 1: Arrival at Lisbon Portela Airport, optional group transfer or private transfer, Uniworld representative meet-and-greet, transfer to the hotel.
• DAY 2: Lisbon city tour (also visiting Jeronimos Monastery)
• DAY 3: Lisbon, morning bus transfer (via Obidos) to Oporto (cruise ship embarkation)
• DAY 4: Oporto - choice of a city tour or "Do as the Locals Do" walking tour (with food and wine tastings and vintage tram ride)
• DAY 5: Oporto (shopping tour) or excursion to Guimaraes
• DAY 6: Entre-os-Rios (optional excursion to Quinta da Aveleda estate with gardens and museum)
• DAY 7: Regua (Lamego city tour with wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca estate)
• DAY 8: Pinhao - optional excursion to Sandeman's Quinta do Seixo Wine Centre (guided tour with wine tasting) or Vineyard hiking tour (with wine tasting), afternoon cruising towards Pocinho
• DAY 9: Barca d'Alva - optional excursion to Castelo Rodrigo (town) or Coa Valley Archaeological Park, shipboard Gala Dinner
• DAY 10: Vega de Terron (cruise ship debarkation), bus travel to Salamanca (walking tour), bus transfer to Madrid, Madrid hotel check-in, a guided walking tour (Madrid at Your Doorstep)
• DAY 11: Madrid - optional excursions Corral de la Moreria (with Flamenco dancing and restaurant dinner), bus city tour or a walking tour (both visiting Prado)
• DAY 12: Madrid - bus tour to Toledo (walking tour)
• DAY 13: Madrid (departure) - hotel check-out, optional airport transfer (group or private), home flight

The 11-day itinerary (Oporto to Lisbon) is themed "Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley".

Cabins

SS Sao Gabriel staterooms (a total of 50, in all 5 grades) include 4x Classic, 10x Deluxe, 20x French Balcony, 12x Suite and 4x Grand Suite. Cabins are relatively small in comparison with those on other Uniworld ships, and sized 29 m2 (GRAND SUITE), 20 m2 (SUITE), 15 m2 (FRENCH BALCONY and DELUXE) and 13 m2 (CLASSIC). All staterooms are outside, offering unobstructed river and countryside views.

• All Deluxe and Classic staterooms are midship on Lower Deck (Madeira Deck) and feature fixed (non-opening) half-height windows.
• All French Balcony staterooms are midship on Middle Deck (Cape Verde Deck) and have French balconies - fully opening floor-ceiling windows that open to a railing to form a false balcony (Juliet balcony).
• All Upper Deck (Azores Deck) staterooms are Suites, including the four midship-located Grand Suites (boat's largest accommodations). SS Sao Gabriel's Suites are all with French balconies and large living areas. For the first time on Douro River, Uniworld's SS Sao Gabriel Suite booking customers enjoy a dedicated butler service offered on other Uniworld river cruise ships deployed in Europe.

Regardless of the cabin type/category, all staterooms offer adequate storage space and good-sized en suite bathrooms (with WC-toilet, mirrored single-sink vanity, under-sink storage, L'Occitane en Provence bath products / Hermes toiletries in Suites). All cabins are airconditioned, with double handmade Savoir Beds (convertible to single twin beds), 1-drawer bedside tables (phone, ceiling-mounted reading lamps), premium bedding sets (Egyptian linens), mirrored wardrobes (slide-opening), electronic safe box (in the closet), mirrored and marble-top vanity / dressing table (with chair), floor-ceiling curtains, top-quality carpeting, smart HDTV with interactive Infotainment system (Internet, on-demand movies).

The bigger-sized Suites additionally have a seating area with a 2-seater sofa, modern reading lamps (on tables), armchair, glass-top coffee table, as well as larger bathrooms.

Riverboat's dimensions (80x20 m / 263x66 ft) have been dictated by the relatively narrow and short locks on Douro River. Shipboard amenities are slightly different from those available on all Uniworld-owned vessels. SS Sao Gabriel is staffed by all Portuguese crew (37 total). All crew cabins are located on Lower Deck (Madeira Deck).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Sao Gabriel has a Restaurant (full-capacity Main Dining Room) and Main Lounge (featuring a full-service Bar). Other amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool (forward-midship on Sun Deck), Spa, Gym (fitness center), Boutique Shop, Cruise Director's Office, Reception Desk, an elevator (connecting all decks). All guests are pampered with complimentary coffee bar and free Wi-Fi and Internet access. Butler service is added onboard, giving passengers the option to dine at any time they wish while enjoying the ship.

The boat's Dining Room Restaurant is located forward on Cape Verde Deck (deck 2), with open seating arrangements and a Portuguese cuisine-inspired menu, which also includes traditional international and American dishes. Breakfast and lunch are at not fixed times, while the waiter-served dinners start at ~7 pm.

The fore-located on Azores Deck (deck 3) Bar Lounge offers 180-degree views and plenty of comfortable seating. All beverages served here are complimentary, as well as light food, afternoon snacks, brand coffees, alcoholic beverages and nonalcoholic drinks - all provided throughout the day. Lounge's nightly entertainment includes performances by a resident piano player. Daily entertainment options include port talks/briefings (by the Uniworld Cruise Director), cooking classes, food demonstrations, lectures and media presentations, bingo and trivia games.

Sundeck's swimming pool area has plenty of shaded seating (4-seat tables), sunbathing areas (deckchairs and sun loungers) and outdoor showers.

Sao Gabriel river cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These are only indicative Uniworld Portugal cruise rates. They might be different when you book your Uniworld Douro River cruise only or cruise tour deals, influenced by travel agency promotions, special offers, and discounts, group travel booking or last-minute deals rates. Uniworld offers air-inclusive cruise deals and pre/post-cruise hotel packages as extensions (at additional cost).

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.