SCENIC Tours will expand its European river route network from Apr 2016, announcing it will debut on the Douro River in Portugal with a custom-built ship.
To be named Scenic Azure, the “next generation of river cruisers” will be a slightly downsized adaptation of its current ‘Space Ship’ concept at 80 metres long.
Offering 48 cabins, the ship will cater to 96 at double occupancy.
An 11-day round-trip itinerary will be operated by Scenic Azure, travelling from World Heritage-listed Porto to Vega de Terron.
Passengers will enjoy the same five-star experience as provided on ‘Space Ships’, Scenic Tours said, with private butler service, unlimited beverages and mini-bar, local guides, Scenic FreeChoice activities and Scenic Enrich events.
Itineraries will couple with other Scenic Tours river cruises in the Bordeaux and Seine regions of France as well as extension tours in Lisbon & from Porto to Madrid.
Scenic Tours general manager product Aleisha Fittler expressed her delight at adding the new river product to the Scenic range.
“Behind the undulating hillside curves of the beautiful Douro Valley through years of research, we have uncovered some extraordinary and diverse experiences for our guests which we can’t wait to share.”
Expansion onto the Douro was foretold exclusively to Cruise Weekly back in Apr this year by founder and managing director Glen Moroney (CW 17 Apr).