Douro River Cruises: Frequently Asked Questions
What to wear on a Douro River cruise?
During the day, guests typically dress casually and comfortably while they cruise up the Douro River. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes such as trousers, skirts or shorts, and t-shirts and jumpers. It is also important to wear shoes suitable for walking. River cruises do not typically have formal nights, although some people choose to dress up in the evening.
What to pack on a Douro River cruise?
It is important to keep in mind that river cruises are rather informal, and you'll want to be prepared for many excursions. Due to the changing weather, you'll want to be set for all eventualities. Below is a list of what to pack for a Douro River cruise.
- Casual clothes
- Rain gear
- Walking shoes
- Scarves and gloves
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Insect repellent
What is the best time for a Douro River cruise?
Douro River cruise packages range in length from six to fifteen days, but if you’re looking for a shorter duration of time, you can find anything from a three-day Douro River cruise to a five-day Douro River cruise. With months of warm weather and mild winters, river cruises in Portugal enjoy a longer cruising season.
Most Douro cruises start in March and run through late November, though a growing number of cruise lines offer itineraries into December as well. The best time for a Douro River cruise is from June to October, with warm and sunny weather during the summertime, and nice breezes during harvest season with cooler autumn temperatures.
If you are hoping to find a cheap Douro River cruise, consider travelling anywhere from March to May. You may experience cooler, rainier temperatures, but all for an affordable price on one of Europe’s best river destinations when seeking for Douro River cruise deals. This makes a Douro cruise accessible at almost all times of the year, apart from January and February. There are plenty of options for the best time for a Douro River cruise, all depending on your preference of weather and what you want from the holiday.
What is the best Douro River cruise line?
Depending on the type of holiday you want, there are many options for a Douro River cruise according to your choice of itinerary, price, cruise line and style. Below are some Douro cruise options.
Scenic: If you’re looking for a Scenic Douro River cruise, Scenic offers its expertise in luxury river cruises and fantastic itineraries.
AmaWaterways: If you’re looking for an Ama Douro river cruise, AmaWaterways offers high-rated ships with popular itineraries.
A-ROSA: When searching for the best Douro River cruise, Porto remains a popular starting point. A-Rosa's Douro River cruises from Porto offer more affordable cruises with a relaxed atmosphere.
CroisiEurope: If you’re looking for Croisi Douro River cruises, Croisi offers port-to-port cruises with fabulous itineraries.
UNIWORLD: If you’re looking for a UNIWORLD Douro river cruise, UNIWORLD offers luxurious river cruises to Douro.
Emerald Waterways: If you’re looking for an Emerald Douro River cruise, Emerald offers great value cruising for moderately priced journeys.
Viking River Cruises: If you’re looking for a Viking Douro River cruise, Viking offers comfortable river cruises with rich itineraries.
Riviera Travel: If you’re looking for a Riviera Douro River cruise, Riviera Travel offers carefully crafted itineraries with intimate cruise experiences.
Discover the best cruises on the Douro River
