TAUCK on the weekend christened its new Andorinha river boat, purpose-built for the Douro River in Portugal. Inspired by the local culture and climate, Tauck held Andorinha’s christening ceremony shortly before embarking on the ship’s first scheduled cruise. Andorinha’s passengers were the guests of honour for the ceremony, ahead of...
TAUCK on the weekend christened its new Andorinha river boat, purpose-built for the Douro River in Portugal.
Inspired by the local culture and climate, Tauck held Andorinha’s christening ceremony shortly before embarking on the ship’s first scheduled cruise.
Andorinha’s passengers were the guests of honour for the ceremony, ahead of their 12-day Exploring the Douro plus Lisbon & Madrid itinerary, which began with an initial two-night hotel stay in Spain’s capital.
Serving as godmothers are two long-time Tauck employees, Chief Culture Officer Sharyn Cannon and President Jennifer Tombaugh (pictured).
Andorinha incorporates azulejos, painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework, which adorn areas throughout the ship.
Decorative metalwork is also present all round Andorinha, suggestive of the grapevines that invoke the 2,500 years of the Portuguese wine tradition.
The ship’s reception area features an oversized domed ceiling light entwined with brass “branches” custom-cast from actual grapevines.
Andorinha, which is also the Portugese word for the swallow bird, boasts an optimised sun deck, which serves as an ideal platform for savouring the Douro Valley’s passing landscapes.
The deck features canopied Balinese daybeds for shaded lounging, plus an infinity-style pool which is five-times the size of the plunge pools featured on Tauck’s other river boats.
