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Douro River Cruises! Viking, AmaWaterways, or Avalon?

Ask a Real Travel Expert - RTE Travel Talk
Ask a Real Travel Expert - RTE Travel Talk
🥈Expert
👁️ 12K views📅 2 years ago⏱️ 25:29
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsShip Comparison🥈Expert Creator
Other · Fall · 7 nightsFrom Porto

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Portugal is becoming such a hot destination so hot in fact that I just got back from there I made it uh my 65th country seen uh just this past September

Avalon actually has one of the cooler State rooms around their beds actually face the balconies so if I'm lying in bed and I raise my head up I'm looking out the balcony window

Viking of course Vikings well known has a huge reputation they sometimes will stay a little bit longer in the ports and they're usually the price points just a little bit better

Doro River Cruises sell out over a year in advance do they oh yes so you have to be prepared for that if you want to go on the dooro do not sleep

Creator's Tips & Advice

Book Douro River cruises at least a year and a half in advance as they sell out quickly
Consider adding a pre or post stay in Lisbon to better experience Portugal
Talk to a travel expert to match your personality with the right cruise line
Be prepared for bus rides to some ports as not all stops are riverside

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Shore excursions limited due to distanceBe prepared for bus rides and set expectations accordingly; the scenic views are worth it
Ships sell out far in advancePlan a year and a half out, especially for specific cruise lines or new ships

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the differences between Viking, AmaWaterways, and Avalon for Douro River cruises?
QWhat is included in a Douro River cruise fare?
QWhen is the best time to sail the Douro River?
QHow do shore excursions work on the Douro compared to other European rivers?

Topics Covered

Value Pricing2½ Happy BaconExcursions2½ Happy BaconDining Main4½ Happy BaconDining Bars Drinks3½ Happy BaconCabin Balcony4 Happy BaconBooking Process2½ Happy BaconItinerary Route3½ Happy BaconService Crew3½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Algarve4½ Happy Bacon
Lisbon4½ Happy Bacon
Porto4 Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Join our host, Ken, in a captivating conversation with Sheri Clarke, Co-owner of PT Travel, as they unravel the allure of Portugal and the Douro River on this exclusive episode of RTE-Travel Talk. 🇵🇹 Portugal: A "Hot" River Cruise Destination Discover why Portugal has become the hottest destination for river cruising, attracting travelers with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. 🚢 Overview of a Douro River Cruise Get a comprehensive overview of what makes Douro River cruises a unique and unforgettable experience, from picturesque vineyards to charming villages. 🌊 3 Popular River Cruise Lines for Douro Explore the highlights of three renowned river cruise lines—AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking River Cruises—as Sheri shares insights into each. 👍 What Sheri Likes with AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking Delve into Sheri's personal preferences and discover the unique features that set AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking apart. 📅 Best Time of Year to Cruise & Book Learn the optimal times for Douro River cruising and get tips on when to book to ensure an ideal and memorable experience. 🗺️ Shore Excursion Differences Explore the variety of shore excursions offered by different cruise lines and find the perfect activities to complement your travel style. 🏃‍♂️ Active Guests Discover options for active and not so active travelers, as Sheri sheds light on the adventurous side of Douro River cruising. 🌅 Atmosphere Comparison Compare the onboard atmospheres of AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking to find the perfect fit for your cruising preferences. 💼 What Is Included in Each Line's Fare Break down the inclusions that come with each cruise line, helping you choose the package that suits your needs. 🛒 Why You Should Book Through a Travel Agent vs Direct Understand the advantages of booking your Douro River cruise through a knowledgeable travel agent for a seamless and stress-free experience. 💲 Price Point Comparison Get a detailed look at the pricing structures of AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking, ensuring you make an informed decision. 🌍 Final Thoughts on Douro Join Ken and Sheri as they wrap up the discussion with their final thoughts and recommendations on experiencing the Douro River in all its splendor.. 🔔 Subscribe & Engage: Don't miss out on more travel insights, destination highlights, and exclusive interviews. Subscribe to RTE-Travel Talk, like, share, and comment below to share your thoughts on Douro River cruising! #DouroRiverCruise #PortugalTravel #RiverCruiseLines #PTTravel #TravelInterviews #RTETravelTalk Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:16 Special Guest, Sheri Clarke 01:12 Portugal: "Hot" river cruise destination 01:40 Overview of a Douro river cruise 03:52 3 Popular River Cruise Lines for Douro 04:55 What Sheri likes with AmaWaterways 05:07 What Sheri likes about Avalon Waterways 05:54 What Sheri likes about Viking 06:28 Sailing the river twice 07:37 Best time of year to cruise & book 10:24 Shore excursion differences 14:16 Active guests 15:14 Atmosphere comparison 18:00 What is included in each line's fare? 19:14 Why you should book through a travel agent vs direct 20:15 Price point comparison 22:03 Final thoughts on Douro 23:16 How to contact Sheri 23:57 Sheri's future travels Contact Real Travel Experts: questions@realtravelexperts.com https://realtravelexperts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RealTravelExperts/ https://www.instagram.com/realtravelexperts/ Contact: PT Travel : sheri@pttravel.com Website: https://www.pttravel.com/ Image Credits: AmaWaterways Clips & Images Courtesy of AmaWaterways Viking Clips and Images Courtesy of Viking River Cruises Avalon Waterways Images and Clips Courtesy of Avalon Waterways Douro & Portugal Images Courtesy of Adolbestock and Bigstock RTE Travel Talk does not endorse any of their guests' products or services. The opinions of the guests may or may not reflect those of the host and RTE Travel Talk.