Tauck will operate its first cruises on the Douro River in Portugal next year, offering three itineraries on a purpose-built riverboat.
The ship, Andorinha, will have more suites, more spacious public areas, and a more intimate ambiance. With a capacity for 84 guests, Andorinha will carry fewer passengers than any other vessel operated by a major line on the Douro.
In line with Tauck riverboats fleet-wide, the newbuild will be staffed by a Tauck cruise director and three Tauck director guides.
Andorinha will also have a number of unique design features to make it perfectly suited to cruising the Douro, said CEO Dan Mahar.
"The Douro is a very different river, and so we’ve been consciously deliberate with the ship’s design.
"We won’t be the first company to operate on the Douro when we launch next year, but in terms of infrastructure, we’re excited to have some surprises in store that will truly differentiate us."
Tauck is again teaming with longtime partner Scylla AG on the design and construction of Andorinha.
The ship’s hull will be fabricated at Vahali Shipyard in Serbia, while final outfitting will be done in Hardinxveld, in the Netherlands.
The 263-ft-long, 36-crew ship will launch in the spring of 2020.
The word ‘andorinha’ is Portuguese for a species of swallow that returns to Portugal each spring after wintering in Africa.
Small ceramic sculptures of the birds became popular throughout Portugal following their debut in 1891, and because swallows typically return to the same nest each year with the same mate, the figurines have become symbolic of family, home and fidelity.
Tauck will offer three Douro River itineraries aboard Andorinha including one specifically designed for families with departures in summer 2020.
Full itineraries and prices will be released later.
