In 2020, Tauck will launch its first-ever Douro River cruises sailing in Portugal on three itineraries sailing aboard the new ms Andorinha.
With the capacity to carry only 84 passengers, Tauck’s new riverboat will carry fewer guests than any other vessel currently operated by a major line on the Douro. These guests will be accommodated in 42 cabins, including 12 suites on the upper Diamond Deck measuring at 300-sq.-ft., and 20 staterooms, primarily on the vessel’s Ruby or mid-level deck, that will measure at 225-sq.-ft. Six 200-sq.-ft. cabins and four 150-sq.-ft. cabins will be located on the lower or Emerald Deck.
“At Tauck, we measure success by the quality of the experience we provide our guests, and one of the best ways to ensure a warm, relaxing and engaging atmosphere on board is to avoid crowding too many guests into a limited space,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar in press materials.
Although the ms Andorinha will have fewer guests than other ships, it will still have more director-level personnel to ensure Tauck’s guests are met with high levels of care and service. As on Tauck riverboats fleetwide, the newbuild will be staffed by a Tauck cruise director and three Tauck director guides. Mahar has also hinted that the ms Andorinha will boast several unique design features specifically suited for the Douro River.
“The Douro is a very different river, and so we’ve been consciously deliberate with the ship’s design,” said Mahar. “We won’t be the first company to operate on the Douro when we launch next year, but in terms of infrastructure, we’re excited to have some surprises in store that will truly differentiate us.”
The three itineraries sailing aboard the ms Andorinha include a 12-day journey that bookends a 7-night Douro cruise with 2-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid; an 8-day “cruise-only” itinerary along the river, and an 8-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families with four departures slated for late June/early July 2020. Itinerary details and pricing will be announced later this year.
For more information, visit tauck.com. Also, be sure to check out the single-departure events that Tauck has launched for 2019.
