May 24, 2028 for 7 nights, hosted by Troy & Sue, Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro on the Avalon Alegria!

Hi Everyone! If you enjoy River Cruising, but you’ve already sailed the Danube and the Rhine, I’d like to tell you about a unique opportunity to enjoy something new: the Douro River in Portugal on Avalon Waterways.  My wife Sue and I will be hosting this trip, and we’d love to have you join us!

The Douro has a few big differences from the well-known sailings through central Europe.  Mainly, there are only a fraction of the ships sailing the Douro, compared to say the Danube. Another big difference is that the ship only holds a little over half of the people of a traditional ship: 102 pax vs 180 pax.  So, when you put those two things together, getting the cabin you want at a good price can be a challenge. 

In working with my Avalon contact, we’ve come up with a way to offer a great cabin at a great price.  Here’s how it works:

• Cabins are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.  
• Meaning, you can have good Group pricing, but if the cabins are already booked by someone else, the pricing doesn’t matter.
• So, the best strategy is to pick a cabin, with Group Pricing, prior to it going on sale to the public.
• Until July 31, 2026, we are the only ones able to book a cabin on this sailing!
• This sailing will go on sale to the public on August 1st, 2026.  Until then, you can pick ANY cabin you want!  It will be held for you, and blocked off when it opens up for sale in August.
• If you are interested, all you would need to do is take a look at the Deck Plans (see the link below), and let me know which cabin you would like.  The most popular cabins are Categories B, A, and P.  The B and A cabins are known to sell out especially fast, given that there are only 5 B cabins on the ship, along with 12 A cabins.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Cabins need to be booked through me prior to JULY 31, 2026.  After that date, the sailing is open to the general public, and I won’t be able to guarantee what cabin types will be available to you after July 31st.

On the Avalon Alegria, there are: 

5 Category B cabins on middle deck: $8179/person

12 Category A cabins on middle deck: $8393/person

20 Category P cabins on top deck: $8714/person

Here is a link to the ship, including deck plans, pictures, videos, etc:

https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise-ships/avalon-alegria

Additional Important Information:

– Deposit is $250/person.  Final payment isn’t until February, 2028.

– Insurance through Avalon is $519/person.  If you need coverage for pre-existing conditions, it would need to be purchased within 10 days of making your deposit.  Otherwise, you can wait until later to get insurance.

– You can pick your exact cabin on the ship until July 31st, as it opens to the public in August.

– Regarding the Itinerary: below is a link for a 2027 sailing, which should be nearly identical for 2028…the link contains a map of the sailing, and if you scroll down the webpage, you’ll see the Itinerary.  If you click on the little down-arrows on the right of the port names in the itinerary, you can read all about each stop.  If you scroll down further on the page, you’ll see ship information, and information on the hotels that they use in Porto:

https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise/vida-portugal-vineyards-villages-along-the-douro/WCC/?season=2026&format=mobile

– Regarding pricing, Avalon has told me that our Group pricing is the lowest pricing that this sailing will ever have, as the pricing will go up incrementally starting later this calendar year.  

If you’re interested in joining Sue and I, please give me a call (843-279-0310), or set up an appointment to come into the office.  I’m happy to answer any and all questions you may have.  Hope to hear from you, thank you!

If you’ve never sailed on Avalon before, I have three times, and they are absolutely my favorite river cruise line for multiple reasons (Having included Shore Excursion choices, your Bed facing the window, bikes to use in every port, to name a few).  Here is what is included in the cruise fare:

• Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
• Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access throughout the ship
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Complimentary wine and beer with all onboard dinners
• Complimentary soft drinks throughout the day
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
• Complimentary Happy Hour every evening (after embarkation day), featuring house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day
• An Avalon Adventure Host available for fitness activities and active excursions
• Avalon After Dark experiences to elevate your river cruise evenings
• Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
• Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, pool, & shade awnings
• Outside viewing deck
• Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
• Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
• Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games
• Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, Nordic walking sticks, & maps
• Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
• Convenient Elevator Service
• English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
• Complimentary headsets to hear every word of excursion commentary from your Local Guide
• Virtual DJ Music System playing hits from 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today.
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 50 free movie options
• Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
• Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
• Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
• Al fresco dinner at the Sky Grill (on selected days, weather and itinerary permitting)
• Daily buffet breakfast with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh options and daily a la carte specials
• Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Daily lunch buffet with regional and classic dishes, Avalon Fresh® options, and chef specialties, including carving & pasta stations
• Al fresco lunch on the Sky Deck (schedule and weather permitting) or light luncheon fare in the Panorama Lounge
• Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats, and sandwiches
• Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
• Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro’s tasting menu for a less formal “sit-down” atmosphere
• Avalon Fresh healthy cuisine options at every meal
• FlexDining flexible dining times with menu & venue options
• Options at every meal to accommodate dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, plus dishes may be prepared upon request to accommodate food sensitivities and allergies
• Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
• Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
• Refreshing Smoothies served with breakfast buffet and morning fitness class on the Sky Deck
• Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés

Here is a description of the ship:

Explore Portugal’s dazzling Douro River on Avalon’s newest addition to our award-winning fleet of Suite Ships. The Avalon Alegria delights river cruisers with exceptional experiences and the elegant yet relaxed luxury you’ve come to expect from Avalon Waterways.

As the newest addition to our fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Alegria certainly lives up to its name, meaning happiness, which flows from stem to stern on this 262-foot ship. Choose from 14 deluxe staterooms or 37 Panorama Suites with a spacious capacity of just 102 passengers. Choose from two full decks of award-winning Panorama Suites, featuring wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform your living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, with Avalon’s signature window-facing “Beds with a View.”

Onboard amenities include complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, an Adventure Center with complimentary active gear, and an Avalon Adventure Host to assist with active excursions and on board fitness classes and activities.

Enjoy exceptional onboard cuisine, including Avalon Fresh® menu options, premium coffee and spirits, and versatile FlexDining venues, including the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room.

Make yourself at home in the Club lounge with a variety of coffees, teas, cold beverages, and pastries while settling in with your pick of books, cards, and board games. Relax and watch the world go by in our Observation Lounge for the perfect vantage point to peruse Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley and vineyards. Stretch out on the Sky Deck with a plunge pool, premium lounge chairs, and shade system to relax while sailing through Portugal’s most spectacular views!