Spirit of the Douro

Spirit of the Douro cruise ship (fka as "Douro Serenity" is a top-luxury riverboat inaugurated in 2017, with sisterships the same-designed Douro Elegance (2017) and Douro Splendour (2018). Spirit of the Douro cruises on River Douro in Portugal, with roundtrip itineraries leaving from Oporto City to destinations in Portugal and Spain.

The Portugal-flagged ship is owned by the Portuguese travel company Douro Azul (fully-owned subsidiary and travel brand of Mystic Cruises) and until 2020 was exclusively chartered by the river cruisetour companies Riviera Travel (UK) and TravelMarvel (APT-owned sisterbrand of AmaWaterways).

In July 2020, Nicko Cruises (subsidiary and travel brand of Mystic Cruises) announced that Duoro Serenity would join Nicko's fleet in 2021, with scheduled 36x departures from Oporto.

Since 2024, the ship (rebranded to "Spirit of the Douro") is chartered by Saga Cruises. The UK-based company (part of Saga Group) targets predominantly the British source market.

The vessel is Portugal-flagged (MMSI number 263673934) and registered in Lisbon. The shipbuilder is WestSEA (shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal).

The ship offers top-class hotel amenities and facilities designed to ensure the best river travel vacation experiences in Portugal's Douro Valley wine region. The cozy Bar Lounge is stocked with fine wines and premium spirits. The Lounge has a small bow terrace with open-air seating. Dining Room Restaurant is operated with single open-sitting. Both the Lounge and the Restaurant are fore-located and floor-ceiling windows.

The ship also features a spacious wellness center (spa and fitness), Boutique Gift Shop, top-deck located large outdoor swimming pool, roof-covered outdoor lounge (with solar panels).

On Main Deck is located the Restaurant, which is with open-seating dining arrangement and table capacity 4 to 8 people. Cold and hot buffet Breakfast additionally offers an omelet station. During the buffet Lunch is always available simpler menu with light food items. Dinners are 4-course and waiter-served. Passengers may also have an early Breakfast (hosted in the bar lounge), along with light Lunch options - offered at the lounge and also on the outdoor Sun Deck (al fresco dining).

The onboard Spa is located on Main Deck. Special spa treatments can be booked in advance. A spacious Fitness Room is located on Lower Deck. A most prominent feature on Douro River cruise ship, Douro Serenity has a top-deck swimming pool (outdoor) and large sunbathing area with premium loungers. The relaxing riverside scenery of Douro Valley provides unique sights to enjoy during your Portugal-themed vacation.

All cabin decks are fully air-conditioned and connected via lift and wide staircase. Sun Deck is accessed only via stairs.

Decks and Cabins

Most Spirit of the Douro staterooms are sized 15 m2 (160 ft2), which is the standard size for French Balcony cabins on 5-star riverboats in Europe.

All cabins as amenities offer polished hardwood entry door, polished wooden furniture with fine fabrics, hotel beds (2 twins convertible to double), individual premium bedding, en-suite marble bathroom, (glass shower, WC, single sink vanity, fluffy towels, premium brand toiletries), individually controlled air-conditioning, wall-mounted flat HDTV (satellite reception), hairdryer, wardrobe, mirrored dressing table with chair, electronic safe (in the closet), phone, tea-coffee making facility, power outlets (2-prong, 220V / UK and Canada-USA passengers will need an adapter or converter).

Lower Deck cabins are designed for single travelers. They are smaller (14 m2 / 150 ft2), with one fixed / non-opening window (quarter-height, located close to the ceiling). These are "single cabins" and can be booked with no single supplement. Nicko Cruises charges a 100% supplement for all other staterooms.

Standard category rooms are French Balcony cabins sized 15 m2 (160 ft2). They feature an electronically controlled sliding window - lowering horizontally and opening to a railing (false balcony). This allows an unobstructed view of the passing riverside scenery along the cruise itinerary route. Alongside the sliding window, the room has a table and 2 chairs (for in-cabin dining).

Superior Suites (on Upper Deck) are sized 22 m2 (235 ft2) and feature a large living area, floor-ceiling windows, a step-out balcony, and a separate French balcony (sitting area with table and 2 chairs).

Deluxe Suites (aft on Upper Deck) are sized 30 m2 (325 ft2) and feature a larger living area, 2 floor-ceiling windows, step-out balcony, French balcony (sitting area with table and 2 chairs), walk-in closet, bedroom (2 floor-ceiling windows).

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

Saga Cruises Douro itineraries

Starting in 2024, Saga offers two itineraries scheduled for Spirit of the Douro - "Lisbon & the Heart of the Douro" and "Douro Explorer".

Saga Douro River cruise fares are inclusive of travel insurance, onboard beverages (between 11 am-11 pm, non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), Cruise Director services, return flights and land transfers, Captain's events (dinner and cocktail reception), onboard Wi-Fi and gratuities, land tours/excursions (Lamego, Figueira Castelo de Rodrigo, Salamanca sightseeing, a quinta dinner, a wine estate tour, Casa de Mateus Palace, Oporto City tour with a wine cellar visit).

The company provides interactive maps and audio headsets for independent shore exploration.

"Lisbon and the Heart of the Douro" itinerary

"Lisbon and the Heart of the Douro" is a 10-night/11-day cruisetour itinerary starting in Lisbon. These voyages are priced from GBP 2520 pp (EUR 2945/USD 3180) and are inclusive of a flight from the UK to Portugal (Lisbon), a 3-day/2-night hotel stay in Lisbon and a domestic flight from Lisbon to Oporto.

• (Day 1) flight UK to Lisbon
• (Days 2-3) Lisbon hotel
• (Day 4) flight Lisbon-Oporto, boarding the Spirit of the Douro ship (overnight port stay)
• (Day 5) cruising from Oporto to Regua and Pinhao
• (Day 6) cruising from Pinhao to Vega de Terron/Salamanca (Spain)
• (Day 7) cruising from Vega de Terron to Barca d'Alva
• (Day 8) cruising from Barca d'Alva to Cais de Espinho and Pinhao
• (Day 9) cruising from Pinhao to Regua and Bitetos
• (Day 10) cruising from Bitetos to Entre-os-Rios and Oporto
• (Day 11) Oporto (debarkation/return flight to the UK)

"Douro Explorer" itinerary

"Douro Explorer" is a 7-night/8-day cruise itinerary starting in Oporto. These voyages are priced from GBP 2180 pp (EUR 2550/USD 2750) and are inclusive of a flight from the UK to Portugal (Oporto).

• (Day 1) flight UK to Oporto, boarding the Spirit of the Douro ship (overnight port stay)
• (Day 2) cruising from Oporto to Regua and Pinhao
• (Day 3) cruising from Pinhao to Vega de Terron/Salamanca
• (Day 4) cruising from Vega de Terron to Barca d'Alva
• (Day 5) cruising from Barca d'Alva to Cais de Espinho and Pinhao
• (Day 6) cruising from Pinhao to Regua and Bitetos
• (Day 7) cruising from Bitetos to Oporto (overnight)
• (Day 8) Oporto (debarkation/return flight to the UK)

Nicko Cruises itineraries

Nicko's river cruise deals are inclusive of:

• 5-star stateroom
• roundtrip flights (UK-Portugal-UK) and ship transfers (oneway flight time 2 hours 40 mins)
• land tours
• onboard dining (from departure day dinner to final day breakfast)
• special events (Welcome Dinner)
• 24-hour complimentary Coffee Station
• complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access
• port charges, airport taxes
• checked luggage

Nicko Cruises Douro itinerary features:

• 7-nights Douro Valley cruising, featuring as itinerary highlights unique scenery, medieval hilltop villages and towns, rolling hills with terraced vineyards, passing river locks, visiting Salamanca Spain.
• Nicko's cruisetour itinerary visits Vila Nova de Gaia, Entre-os-Rios, Regua (Mateus Palace, Castelo de Lamego), Pinhao, Vega de Terron (Castelo Rodrigo, bus travel to Salamanca), return to Barca de Alva, and on the reverse route back to Oporto.
• included guided Porto City tour (with an included visit to Port Wine cellars)
• included a full-day excursion to Salamanca (with included guided city tour and Flamenco show)
• included tours to Castelo Rodrigo and Mateus Palace and gardens
• included guided visit to Lamego and Our Lady of the Remedies church (in Lamego)
• included tour and dinner at Portuguese Quinta (farmhouse)
• onboard entertainment (traditional flamenco music and dance performance on the ship)

In the UK, Nicko Cruises operates through Light Blue Travel (direct and trade sales). Nicko's Duoro Serenity cruise prices start from GBP 1400 per person (double occupancy). Fares are inclusive of return economy flights and land transfers in Portugal, all shipboard meals, unlimited drinks (wine, beer, cocktails, all soft and hot drinks), onboard tips/gratuities, Wi-Fi, 4 guided shore excursions, port taxes.

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.