Douro Elegance Review

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6 reviews
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Jeannine Williamson
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Douro Elegance is one of two identical sister ships launched on Portugal's Douro River in 2017. U.K. tour operator Riviera Travel charters the ship and also offers cruises on the sibling vessel Douro Serenity.

The 126-passenger vessel, classified by Riviera as "five star" was built by the Portuguese company DouoAzul, which has been operating for more than 25 years and retains ownership of the vessels that it charters to various river cruise lines.

In order to fit into the Douro's five locks, Douro Elegance -- in common with other vessels on the river -- is smaller than the typical ships that sail on the Rhine and Danube. However, it contains all the facilities you would expect on an upmarket riverboat. It also boasts a high ratio of 3:1 passengers per crew member, ensuring personal service and the friendly small ship feel that is a trademark associated with Riviera Travel's cruises.

All cabins are river facing and spread across three decks. The smallest cabins are situated on the lower deck and measure 151 square feet. They all have fixed windows. The standard cabins on the middle and upper decks all measure 161 square feet and have floor-to-ceiling windows that slide down halfway. Standard amenities in all cabins include marble bathrooms with a shower and fully frosted screen, and elegant polished hardwood finishes complemented by a warm Mediterranean color scheme. There are comfy hotel-style beds, with individual duvets, which can be configured as twins or doubles.

The cabins all have individually controlled air conditioning, a desk and two chairs, flat-screen high-definition satellite TV, hair dryer, safe, telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. The onboard voltage is European two-pin 220v, so passengers need to bring adapters.

The ship's suites are all located on the upper deck. The six Superior Suites measure 237 square feet, and have a larger living area and bathroom with twin wash basins. The pair of Deluxe Suites measure 323 square feet, and in addition to the standard floor-to-ceiling window they have a second full-length window that opens down halfway to create the feel of a balcony within the suite, with two chairs and a table.

Public areas include a lounge bar with panoramic windows, a small fitness room, spa and a sun deck with plenty of lounge chairs and a splash pool. All meals are served in the restaurant, which can seat all passengers in one sitting at tables for four, six and eight. There is an open-seating arrangement so passengers can choose where they want to sit and with whom they want to dine. Breakfast and some lunches are served buffet style, and an early riser's breakfast is served in the lounge. Dinner is a combination of buffet and menu items. Self-serve coffee and tea are available 24/7 and tea and coffee are served to the table with meals. Red and white wine, beer and soft drinks are included at every dinner, and complimentary water is served with lunch. Bottled water, speciality coffee and alcoholic drinks are available at additional cost. The onboard currency is the euro.

Special dietary requirements, including low salt, low fat, gluten-free and diabetic, can be catered for if requests are made at the time of booking.

There is no doctor onboard, however a crew member trained in first aid is always available and medical personnel can be summoned aboard quickly in a case of emergency.

The recommended gratuity is 10 euros per person, per day. This covers tips for the crew and local guides and drivers on shore excursions.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship and laundry and ironing services are provided for a fee. There is an elevator to all three passenger decks and, notably, there is a chair lift to the sun deck, which is a rare feature on river vessels.

Douro Elegance sails seven-night round trip cruises from Porto, situated at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, to the Spanish border and includes a day trip into Spain to visit the historic university city of Salamanca.

About

Passengers: 126
Crew: 36
Passenger to Crew: 3.5:1
Launched: 2017
Shore Excursions: 8

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Where does Douro Elegance sail from?

Douro Elegance departs from

Where does Douro Elegance sail to?

Douro Elegance cruises to Porto (Leixoes), Pinhao, Salamanca, Regua, Lamego, and Porto

How much does it cost to go on Douro Elegance?

Cruises on Douro Elegance start from per person.
Douro Elegance Cruiser Reviews

Shame we were delayed

On our delayed arrival in Porto we were taken by coach to a quay further up river to join Douro Elegance. The ship has defined booking times at the five locks on this river so she had to move.Read More
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andrewlgc

many10+ Cruises

Age 80s

Best holiday with so much to see

Of course, no time spent in the cabin because fellow travellers and the rest of the ship is so inviting.This was one of the best holidays I've had and other passengers, some elderly were up and dancing most nights, no shortage of good company.Read More
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Charm London

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 60s

Port and Scenery

Then a 20 minute transfer to Villa Nova de Gaia, where MS Douro Elegance was birthed. To get to our ship we had to cross another ship, this appears to be quite normal for river cruising.Read More
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Broadhurstbob

many10+ Cruises

Age 60s

Enjoyable river cruise with some disappointments

The scenery was wonderful, the weather glorious, the staff were friendly and helpful and we had a superb cabin - number 325.This was our first river cruise and proved to be most enjoyable overall.Read More
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islingtonchris

few6-10 Cruises

Age 70s

Riviera River Cruises Fleet
William Shakespeare
12 reviews
Emily Bronte
Thomas Hardy

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