Tauck’s new ship for Portugal’s Douro River is aptly named for a bird that’s the symbol of family. The ms Andorinha with a capacity of just 84 guests, will carry fewer guests than any other vessel currently operated by a major line on the Douro. The 42 cabins onboard will include 12 300-square-foot suites on the upper deck and 20 225-square-foot suites on the mid-level deck.
The three Douro River itineraries on offer include summertime eight-day Tauck Bridges cruises designed specifically for families. Those cruises will include a dedicated host on board to co-ordinate special activities, crafts and family fun aboard the ship.
Other options include a 12-day journey that extends before and after a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid. As on Tauck river boats fleet-wide, the Andorinha will be staffed on all voyages by a Tauck cruise director and three director guides.
The word andorinha is Portuguese for a species of swallow that return to Portugal each spring after wintering in Africa. Small ceramic sculptures of the birds became popular throughout Portugal because swallows typically return to the same nest each year with the same mate.
“At Tauck, we measure success by the quality of the experience we provide our guests, and one of the best ways to ensure a warm, relaxing and engaging atmosphere on board is to avoid crowding too many guests into a limited space,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. River boats sailing the Douro average 260 feet in length, noted Mahar, and accommodate as many as 130 passengers. “That’s 55 per cent more guests in the same space, and you just can’t deliver the same level experience or ambiance with those kinds of numbers.”
