FORT LAUDERDALE — Riviera River Cruises is adding a new ship and new itinerary on the Douro River in Portugal and Spain following increased demand.

The MS Porto Mirante will sail 10 departures of the eight-day ‘Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca River Cruise’ from July to October starting in 2014. It will join Riviera’s MS Douro Elegance and MS Douro Splendour, which sail the Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise. 

The 262-foot MS Porto Mirante will feature an atrium bar and lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, a restaurant, fitness centre and a sun deck with a sky lounge, bar and splash pool. It will accommodate 118 passengers in 59 cabins that are 172 square feet. All Diamond (upper) and Ruby (middle) deck cabins will feature a French balcony with sliding door, while Diamond, Ruby and Emerald (lower) deck standard cabins will have a lounge chair with small table. All cabins will also include double beds that can be converted to twin beds, a bathroom with rain shower, desk with chair, flatscreen TV, individually-controlled air conditioning, coffee machine and more.

Rendering of the Sun Deck on the MS Porto Mirante

Starting at $US$2,849 per person, double occupancy, the cruise will sail roundtrip from Porto and include a guided tour of Porto’s Old Town, a visit to Quinta da Pacheca with dinner and a selection of wines, a visit to the 12-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, a tour of Salamanca, Spain with a traditional flamenco show over lunch, a tour of Quinta da Avessada with a rustic lunch and tasting of its Moscatel wines, visits to Lamgeo and the manicured gardens of Mateus Palace, and either a port wine tasting at Vila Nova de Gaia or a tour of Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal.

“Our only itinerary on the Douro River has grown to become one of our most popular cruises, so we’re launching a new ship and a new itinerary to keep up with demand there,” said Marilyn Conroy, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing North America for Riviera River Cruises. “The stylish new MS Porto Mirante will take guests through the stunning heart of the winelands along the river, with excursions led by local experts who offer fascinating insight into the destinations we visit. And, as on all our 2024 river cruises, guests will enjoy our new Superior drinks package free of charge.”

Rendering of the Diamond and Ruby deck double cabin

For more information go to https://www.rivierarivercruises.com/.