douro 2018 introducing the 5* m/s douro splendor · 2018. 2. 24. · douro 2018 introducing the 5*...
TRANSCRIPT
Douro 2018 INTRODUCING the 5* M/S “Douro Splendor”
Porto, Portugal Day 1 (D)
Check in after 3 pm. Prior to dinner, meet your fellow passengers and Cruise Staff for a cocktail, and
crew introduction followed by an information meeting. Then enjoy your first dinner on board, followed
by a well-deserved rest.
Regua, Portugal Day 2 (B, L, D)
Early in the morning your Douro journey begins. At 11 o'clock we will go to Entre-os-Rios, where river
Rio Tãmega flows into the Douro. Here we drive by bus to the famous Vinho Verde restaurant, where
we have a delicious lunch. Return to the ship and we sail towards Régua. Enjoy the afternoon in the sun
deck or in the lounge and take the time to admire the beautiful landscapes we pass. We arrive at Régua
before dinner. Regua municipality is regarded as part of the most important wine producing region in
Portugal, and was even named “the international city of wine”. The appealing city also offers an array
of cafés on the riverside and several beautiful bridges over the Douro River. Overnight
Vega de Terron, Portugal Day 3 (B, L, D)
Enjoy a quiet morning while the ship sails further up the valley towards the border with Spain. After lunch we
arrive at Vega de Terrón. From here, we depart on an included excursion to the small town of Castelo Rodrigo
home to an ancient Roman fort. The town was part of Spain before it came under the Portuguese kingdom in
1297. Throughout the centuries, Jews, Arabs and Christians lived in peaceful coexistence here. Your first stop will
be at the ruins of the old castle which have great views of the olive groves and vineyards of the valley. From the
castle you will stroll through the center of the town, where you can still see traces of the Jewish population who
lived here during the Spanish Inquisition. The tour ends with visits to the little church. In the evening, there is a
party dinner on board with the Captain's aperitif and five-course menu. The ship is located at the pier in Vega de
Terrón overnight.
Barca d’Alva, Portugal Day 4 (B, L, D)
Today you can enjoy a relaxing day at sail or join an optional full day excursion to Salamanca in Spain.
Salamanca's history extends several thousand years back in time, and the historical center of the city is on
UNESCO's world heritage site. The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest and most famous in Europe.
Here, scholars from both Christian and Arab and Jewish cultures were met from the 1200s to the 1400s while
there was religious persecution elsewhere in Europe. After arriving, you gather at Plaza Mayo in the heart of the
city and to get a brief orientation about the city's attractions, shops and cafes. Then you will have time to
explore the city on your own before meeting for lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch includes a rewarding
flamenco show. In the afternoon there is a tour of Salamanca, which ends with visits to the "new" cathedral,
built between 1513 and 1733. Return to the ship, which has meanwhile sailed to the border town of Barca d'Alva.
The day ends with dinner on the sundeck (with reservation). The ship is located at the dock in Barca d'Alva
overnight. Cost of Tour: €110 per person.
Passengers not going to Salamanca will enjoy a free day in Barca d’Alva.
Pinhao, Portugal Day 5 (B, L, D)
Enjoy a relaxing morning on board while the ship sails back down the river and through the locks of Pocinho and
Valeria. Now we are sailing through the heart of the wine district in the Douro valley. On both sides of the river
there are terraced vineyards up the steep valley sides. After lunch, we arrive at Pinhão, which is beautifully
surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the country's best port wines. From here, we depart on your
included excursion featuring a first stop at Solar de Mateus Palace, immortalized on the label of the Mateus Rosé
bottles. The 17th-century palace is considered to be one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Portugal. It
will be time for a stroll in the beautifully landscaped garden. This will be followed by a tour of Vila Real, a city of
varied religious architecture. Return to the ship in Pinhão. Take the opportunity to take a stroll in the old town of
Pinhão on your own. The city's old railway station, famous for its beautiful azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles),
is well worth a visit. Tonight, we eat dinner on land in la Quinta, a local vineyard and restaurant. The menu we
serve is inspired by the traditional Portuguese cuisine, based on local produce. Each dish is accompanied by local
wines, which helps to enhance the total experience. The ship is docked here overnight.
Entre-os-Rios, Portugal Day 6 (B, L, D)
We sail on early in the morning and arrive at Régua in the morning. Depart on your included excursion to
Lamego, the highlight of which is the visit of the beautiful Baroque church, Nossa Senhora dos Remédios - one of
Portugal's most important pilgrimage. During the day there will be a visit to one of the many vineyards in the
area, where we will see how the port wine is produced. And of course, we can taste the noble drops. After lunch,
the cruise continues, and we pass the high Carrapatelo and Bagaúste slopes. Relax on board - and have a good
book on the sundeck. Before dinner, the ship arrives at Entre-os-Rios. After dinner, we will welcome a visit from a
local group who will entertain us with Portuguese folk music in the lounge.
Porto, Portugal Day 7 (B, L, D)
Early in the morning we leave Entre-Os-Rios and sail the last stretch back to Porto. Arrival before lunch.
Porto, with its approximately 300,000 inhabitants, is Portugal's second largest city. The historic center of the city
stands on UNESCO's world heritage site and is a breeze of narrow streets, archways and impressive churches -
including the 11th-century Cathedral. But above all, Porto is famous for the wine that carries the city's name. On
the other side of the river to the city center, in the Vila Nova de Gaia district, are the old 17th-century port wine
houses. The grapes are transported here from the vineyards of Douro valley, processed and stored in the large
port barrels before bottling and distribution throughout the world. In the afternoon depart on your included
tour of Porto. The tour ends with visits to one of the Port Vila houses of Vila Nova de Gaia. Here there are tours
and tastings on the "precious nectar". In the evening, there is a party dinner on board. Overnight.
Porto, Portugal Day 8 (B)
After breakfast, bid your crew goodbye as you disembark and transfer to the airport for flights home.
SPECIAL 2018 INTRODUCTORY RATES TO THE BRAND NEW “M/S” DOURO SPLENDOR.
PRICES ARE PER PERSON, SHARING A TWIN CABIN. SPECIAL RATES FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
CABIN CATEGORY EMBARK DISEMBARK CRUISE ONLY Sng. Supp*
Low Deck “C” window 10 May 17 May $1499 + $0*
17 May 24 May $1599 + $100
24 May 31 May $1699 + $200
31 May 07 June $1699 + $300
UPGRADES: Middle deck French Balcony: +$299, Upper Deck French Balcony: $399
Upper Deck Junior Suites w/French balcony: +$699, Port Charges: $96 pp
IMPORTANT NOTES:
*Special single supplement rates applicable to Low Deck “C” category only;
Single occupancy on all other decks +%50 of the twin rate.
Transfers: Porto airport – ship one way: 2-10 people $39 pp, 11-20 $19pp,
20 or more – free (arriving and departing on identical flights)
Optional airfare from EWR on TAP (at the time of printing- subject to change) RT including fees
May 10: $748 May 17: $796 May 24: $896 May 31: $968
Included highlights and services:
Accommodation in outside river view staterooms, in cabin category of your choice.
Total of 4 sightseeing tours included (Castelo, St. Mateus, Lamego, Porto)
Total of 20 meals including 7 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners including special meals.
FREE Drink package: mineral water, soft drinks, local house white and red wine, beer, coffee or tea for all on board lunches and dinners.
24h complementary coffee/tea station.
Welcome and Farewell cocktail party with snacks.
Portuguese Lesson in the Lounge.
Portuguese traditional dinner.
Douro Presentation.
Portuguese Folk Music Show on board.
Cooking presentation.
Captain’s dinner with an upgraded 5-course menu with aperitif.
Services of an experienced Hotel Manager & local English speaking guides throughout.
Swimming pool on sun deck.
TV channels in all cabins via satellite
Non-smoking environment (smoking is permitted on special designated areas) Additional Services on board, for a fee:
Laundry services
Spa services
Souvenir shop
Visa/Master Cards accepted for all on board expenses. Not included in the Program:
Airport Transfers to/from the ship
Beverages not included in the Drink package (hard liquor, champagne etc.)
Optional Tours where outlined
Expenses of a personal nature (phone, laundry, souvenirs etc.)
Tips for the ship crew EUR 10 per passenger per night. This money is shared evenly to all staff members, including bus drivers and Tour Escorts.
IMPORTANT NOTES: These special discounted rates are a onetime, unique offer, intended to introduce you to the newest ship on the Douro the M/S “Splendor” being launched in March of 2018. She is the sister ship of the M/S “Serenity”, launched in 2017 with an identical cabin/deck plan. Space is very limited at these rates and subject to availability. Full payment is required to confirm space. Airfares listed are estimates as of 16 February and are subject to change and reconfirmation. Other restrictions apply.