Before setting off on my first river cruise last month, I wasn’t sure it would be for me.

I was concerned about not finding enough to do, having previously only travelled on large ocean liners. Going in December, the weather was also a worry. Would I get to experience the best of a river cruise? Would the colder temperatures be a hindrance?

How pleasantly surprised I was by Portugal's Douro river. 

Douro river cruises almost always depart from the city of Porto, where clients setting sail with Emerald Cruises can expect attentive service before they even leave the airport. Representatives meet them at arrivals and guide them over to their port transfer. I was met by the lovely William, who was on hand to help and take care of our group for the entirety of our four-day fam trip.

Unlike many of the other river cruise lines that dock in Vila Nova de Gaia, Emerald Cruises has an exclusive dock at Cais de Maragaia – in the heart of Porto – making for a quicker airport transfer and a great introduction to the vibrant cultural city.

Ship tour

Once aboard Emerald Radiance I was given a tour of the ship’s cabins, where once again my expectations were exceeded.

Emerald Stateroom cabins are on the lower decks, and I was impressed by just how bright they are compared to standard rooms on other cruise liners. My own Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite had floor-to-ceiling windows, capable of folding down to create a Juliet balcony. The Owner’s Suites are the ship’s most exclusive, hosting a private living area, walk-in-wardrobe, and a bathroom fitted with a bath and shower.

© Emerald Cruises

At every port we visited – usually two a day - there were excursions to take part in. As well as guided coach tours, guests are also able to sign up for EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE excursions for no additional cost. EmeraldPLUS excursions showcase local life and special interests, whilst EmeraldACTIVE tours includes activities such as hiking, biking and canoeing. DISCOVERmore excursions come at an extra cost and are designed to help guests immerse themselves in the location on a much deeper level, for example with a workshop masterclasses or tasting sessions. 

A garden for the world

It’s hard to pick a favourite, as every excursion felt like a true immersion into the local community and culture, but one particular highlight was our visit to Quinta da Aveleda. After lunch at the vineyard, we were given a tour of the beautiful gardens whilst learning about the history of the property. Our tour guide’s great, great, great grandfather had travelled the world, bringing back a plant from each of the countries he visited and planting it in the garden. Generations later, and the eclectic mix of plants are thriving, with the scent of a large 300-year-old eucalyptus tree in particular, adding to the property’s serenity.

After a morning of exploring the historic city of Lamego, we headed to our EmeraldPLUS excursion at Quinta Da Pacheca vineyard. Seated in the wine cellar, with the accompaniment of live violin and piano, we were treated to a locally sourced three-course lunch and wine tasting. We ended the day with an EmeraldACTIVE excursion, taking a breathtaking tour of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, an 18th century Catholic church. It's billed as EmeraldACTIVE, and is literally breathtaking, because you walk 686 steps from the Sanctuary to the main square!  

© iStock LuisPortugal

Another pleasant surprise of the river cruise was just how relaxing it was. Being aboard Emerald Radiance felt truly therapeutic. The crew offered regionally inspired activities such as tile painting, alongside classic board games and quiz nights, and the ship was equipped its own spa pool and walking track.

Breakfast and lunch were served buffet-style and staff were always happy to tailor items to each guest’s preferences, however it was dinner that became my favourite time of the day. From the second we entered the dining room, we were warmly welcomed, poured water and offered wine. The menu had a diverse range of delicious options, catering to all dietary requirements. My admiration goes out to the pastry chef, who worked single handedly to produce all manner of beautiful desserts, including the golden tarts (pastel de nata) which I regrettably tried far too late in my trip.

Ready to paint a picture for clients

Following my time on Emerald Radiance, I now recommend a river cruise along the Douro to a much broader range of clients. It is a holiday predominantly taken by friends and couples in their forties and over, but I don’t understand why more of us aren’t going. With the excursions and evening entertainment, you’re never bored and it’s a very social way of travelling. I would particularly recommend a river cruise to solo-travellers, due to the organised and stress-free nature of the trip.

I probably wouldn’t recommend a river cruise to my clients travelling with children, who may find the activities and entertainment unsuitable for youngsters. Agents should also consider their clients’ level of mobility. Whilst adjustments are in place to help those who may be less physically able, such as optional transfers to bypass steep walks and steps, the ships aren’t well-equipped for mobility scooters, and you need to have a certain level of fitness to fully enjoy the excursions.

I visited in December, perhaps an unlikely time of year to cruise through Europe, but I found the mild temperatures made it easy to walk around and explore and I was able to see much more than I would in high summer.

Getting to experience a trip like this for yourself truly makes you the artist, capable of painting a detailed picture in your clients’ minds. Experiencing the Douro has helped me increase my confidence in selling river cruises and they have made up the majority of my cruise sales this month. For clients seeking history, culture, and experiences off the beaten track, a river cruise down the Duoro is a must.