Cruises Frog guide
Cruises from Porto, Portugal
Porto is the start of Douro River cruises into the port wine country of the Douro Valley.
Things to do in Porto, Portugal
- RibeiraColourful houses and cafés along the river, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Port lodges in Vila Nova de GaiaCellar tours and tastings across the Dom Luís I bridge.
- Livraria LelloAn ornate bookshop with a famous carved staircase; entry is ticketed.
- São Bento stationAzulejo tiles in the station hall.
When to go
- Jan: low season
- Feb: low season
- Mar: shoulder season
- Apr: shoulder season
- May: high season
- Jun: high season
- Jul: shoulder season
- Aug: shoulder season
- Sep: high season
- Oct: high season
- Nov: shoulder season
- Dec: low season
Spring and the September harvest are busiest; midsummer in the valley is very hot.
Flying in and getting to the ship
Easy transferDouro ships moor in Porto or across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia, about 15 km from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or the metro's violet line. River lines usually include or sell a transfer from the airport to the ship; book it with the cruise, since river moorings can change with water levels.
Rental cars: Available at the airport; Porto's old centre is better on foot.
The airport for Porto, Portugal is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), with 1 lounge to wait in before you board.
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) on Lounge FrogShips sailing from Porto, Portugal
4.0 ★AmaWaterwaysAmaDouro2019 · 102 guests · DouroAmaDouro is a 79-meter river ship built for Portugal's Douro, where she has sailed since 2019. She takes 102 guests in 51 staterooms and suites, the suites with outside…
4.0 ★AmaWaterwaysAmaVida2013 · 102 guests · DouroAmaVida, in service since 2013, was AmaWaterways' first ship purpose-built for the Douro in Portugal and Spain. The 79-meter ship carries 102 guests in 51 staterooms and suites…4.0 ★Riviera TravelRiviera Rose2025 · 116 guests · DouroRiviera Rose is an 80-metre ship built in 2025 for Portugal's Douro, carrying 116 guests in 58 cabins with a crew of 38. Riviera describes her as a boutique hotel spread over…4.0 ★Uniworld Boutique River CruisesS.S. São Gabriel2021 · 98 guests · DouroS.S. São Gabriel is a 98-guest river ship, 262 feet (80 m) long, that Uniworld introduced on Portugal's Douro River in 2021 under a charter arrangement. It takes its name from…4.0 ★Viking River CruisesViking Gyda2025 · 106 guests · DouroViking Gyda is a 106-guest member of the Longship family built for Portugal's Douro River, in service since 2025. Gyda, its namesake, is the Hordaland king's daughter who appears…3.8 ★Avalon WaterwaysAvalon Alegria2024 · 102 guests · DouroAvalon Alegria is Avalon Waterways' first ship in Portugal and its 15th Suite Ship in Europe, built for the Douro and christened in Pinhão on March 28, 2024, by actress Cheri…
3.8 ★Riviera TravelDouro Elegance2017 · 124 guests · DouroDouro Elegance is a 2017 river ship that Riviera Travel uses on Portugal's Douro, with 62 cabins for 124 guests and a crew of 36. Her interiors use wood, gold detailing and…
3.8 ★Riviera TravelDouro Splendour2018 · 124 guests · DouroDouro Splendour is a 2018 river ship that Riviera Travel sails on Portugal's Douro, with 62 cabins for 124 guests and a crew of 36. Her décor draws on traditional Douro river…3.8 ★Tauckms Andorinha2020 · 84 guests · Douroms Andorinha is an 80-meter riverboat that Tauck's longtime partner Scylla built in 2020 specifically for Tauck's cruises on Portugal's Douro. She carries at most 84 guests, with…
3.8 ★Scenic Luxury Cruises & ToursScenic Azure2016 · 1,780 GT · 96 guests · DouroScenic Azure is Scenic's Douro river ship, an 80-metre ship built in 2016. She takes up to 96 guests in 48 suites, from 15-square-metre standard rooms to a pair of Royal…
3.7 ★Emerald CruisesEmerald Radiance2017 · 112 guests · DouroEmerald Radiance is Emerald's Douro River ship, an 89-metre Star-Ship built in 2017 with 56 cabins for 112 guests and a crew of 37. Unlike the Central Europe ships she has no…
3.7 ★Viking River CruisesViking Helgrim2019 · 2,212 GT · 106 guests · DouroViking Helgrim is a 106-guest member of the Longship family built for Portugal's Douro River, in service since 2019. Helgrim, the namesake, was one of two envoys King Harald of…
3.7 ★Viking River CruisesViking Hemming2014 · 2,212 GT · 106 guests · DouroViking Hemming is a 106-guest member of the Longship family built for Portugal's Douro River, in service since 2014. Hemming, its namesake, was a Danish king who signed a peace…3.7 ★Viking River CruisesViking Osfrid2016 · 2,021 GT · 106 guests · DouroViking Osfrid is a 106-guest member of the Longship family built for Portugal's Douro River, in service since 2016. Osfrid, the namesake, co-led the first recorded Norwegian…
3.7 ★Viking River CruisesViking Torgil2014 · 2,212 GT · 106 guests · DouroViking Torgil is a 106-guest member of the Longship family built for Portugal's Douro River, in service since 2014. Torgil, the namesake, is a legendary Danish prince who, by…
3.5 ★A-ROSA River CruisesA-ROSA Alva2019 · 126 guests · DouroA-ROSA Alva is the line's Douro river ship, the smallest in the fleet at 79.8 meters, with 61 outside cabins and two balcony suites for up to 126 guests. She was built in 2018 at…Ships that call at Porto, Portugal
Ships based elsewhere whose Douro sailings regularly stop here. Calls vary by sailing, so check the itinerary.
Quick answers
Which cruise ships sail from Porto, Portugal?
On Cruises Frog, 17 ships sail from Porto, Portugal: AmaSintra (AmaWaterways), AmaDouro (AmaWaterways), AmaVida (AmaWaterways), Riviera Rose (Riviera Travel), S.S. São Gabriel (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises), Viking Gyda (Viking River Cruises), Avalon Alegria (Avalon Waterways), Douro Elegance (Riviera Travel), Douro Splendour (Riviera Travel), ms Andorinha (Tauck) and 7 more.
Which cruise lines sail from Porto, Portugal?
AmaWaterways, Riviera Travel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises and A-ROSA River Cruises sail from Porto, Portugal.
What is the best-rated ship sailing from Porto, Portugal?
AmaSintra (AmaWaterways), at 4.2 out of 5 in Cruises Frog's editorial ratings.
Which airport do you fly into for a cruise from Porto, Portugal?
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). Lounge Frog lists 1 open lounge there for the wait before boarding.
Related news about Porto, Portugal
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