Portugal River Cruise

River cruising is very different from ocean cruising. But just like ocean cruising, different lines will suit different tastes. You will need to research them to see which one will fit you best. Or find a travel agent who can guide you.

Cruise Critic website has a specialty forum specifically for river cruises. Some of the stickies at the top of the page give very good information for newbies to help with selection and to give you an idea of what to expect on a river cruise.

Tips for Travellers you tube blogs by Gary Benbride also has a series of videos that discuss this and compares several of the lines.

If you want to add Madrid at the end or beginning of your cruise, you could certainly do that. It is usually less expensive to do this on your own rather than buying the cruise line's add on.

This is very good information. Thank you!

We have been on several river cruises with AMAWaterways and Viking. AMAWaterways was the superior experience in every way over Viking.

I agree, Suki!! AMA Waterways was/is far above Viking in every respect. We loved AMA and are doing another river cruise in August on the Rhine. If you examine the itineraries, Ladyvet, you will see that most Portugal river cruises only cruise the Duoro River, which doesn't really give you much of Portugal. If that's enough for you, and you just want the cruise experience, then go and enjoy! You, perhaps instead or in addition to cruise, might enjoy doing a ground tour which would show you more of the beauty of Portugal. All depends on what you want from the trip!

Ama Waterways has a river cruise that includes a 3 day pre tour of Lisbon and a 3 day post tour of Madrid. I thought that might be a good combination of land and water experiences. Thanks for the recommendation of Ama.

We're taking Taucks Douro plus Lisbon and Madrid cruise later this year. Brand new ship specifically designed for the Douro. Tauck let's singles book their smallest (category 1) cabins without a single supplement. Tauck is an all inclusive cruise line (all transfers and excursions included, no tipping, all food and drink included). I believe Ama is as well. You have to factor those costs in when comparing companies.

If you want to see more of both countries you can also pick from several Tauck land tours either on their own or in combination with a cruise. If you choose back to back tours you only have to pay for one cruise protection (insurance) policy.

I watched the video of the new Tauck ship. It looks great! Thanks for telling me about this line.

This will be our 5th river cruise with them plus 4 land tours. Expensive but they really take care of you. A group of us are also booked on a christmas cruise with them for 2023 - girls only vacation each with our own room.