Highs and Lows
AmaVida Cruise Review by John056
- Sail Date: Oct 2016
- Destination: Europe River
- Cabin Type: Balcony Stateroom
This river cruise is different from most of the others in Europe in that it focuses on the Port wine trade and the vineyards that supply it. The cruise goes through locks at 5 hydroelectric dams completed only in 1985.
Highlights:
* Cruising the upper Douro with the views of the steep sided vineyards
* Visits to the vineyards
* Day trip to Salamanca
* Oporto city
* Superb Cruise Director and wonderful staff and guides who, without exception, were friendly and helpful.
Lows:
* Food was distinctly average and worse than comparable sea cruises
* The wine was poor - nearly all cheap Douro wines - the selection was a poor advertisement for Portuguese wines and were not of a standard expected at the prices paid for an Ama Waterways cruise. The Port provided at the and of the meal was also unacceptable given that, because of the itinerary, many people on the cruise would be Port lovers.
Cabin Review
Well appointed cabin given the restrictions of a river boat.
Port & Shore Excursion Reviews
The day trip to Salamanca was excellent, could have spent longer there
Not much to the port except an interesting railway station and proximity to the vineyards
Grahams Port wine lodge, excellent tour and tastings
View All 34 Port Wine Tasting Reviews