Emerald Cruises on the Douro at a glance
Emerald Cruises currently operates 1 river-cruise vessel on the Douro, with an average passenger count of 112. The line is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and was founded in 2014; A sister brand to Scenic, Emerald Cruises was launched in 2014 to bring contemporary, design-led river cruising to a younger audience. Its Star-Ships are best known for the heated indoor swimming pool at the stern that transforms into a cinema by night, and for the panoramic balcony suites that fill most of the upper two decks.
The Douro itself flows through Spain, Portugal over 897 kilometres. The Douro is one of the most spectacular river-cruise routes in Europe — a deeply terraced wine valley cultivated since the seventeenth century and itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ships sail upriver from Porto through five locks, including the cathedral-like Carrapatelo with its 35-metre lift. Headline destinations served by Emerald Cruises on this river include Porto, the Alto Douro wine region, Salamanca, Régua, Pinhão.
Emerald Cruises ships sailing the Douro
| Ship | Passengers | Launched |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Radiance | 112 | 2017 |
Featured itineraries
| Itinerary | Length | Sample ports |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese Vintage | 8 nights | Porto · Régua · Pinhão · Vega de Terron · Salamanca · Barca d'Alva |
| Douro Wine Country | 8 nights | Porto · Entre-os-Rios · Régua · Pinhão · Pocinho · Salamanca |