An Inside Look at a Viking Cruise Through Portugal

The Douro River Cruise from Viking is a little different than most they offer, first, it is an out and back cruise and second, there is a land portion before you board your ship and third, it is the only cruise that only sails exclusively during the day.

This itinerary has you sailing the down the Douro River as it is lined with green hills, vineyards and beautiful rolling mountains.

The experiences provided thought the trip help you connect to the spirit, beauty and culture of this charming country, all while learning the history, traditions of wine making and the connection to food from this area of Portugal.

If you've been to Portugal before, as I have, you will no doubt see and learn new things and if this is your first time, you will walk away with a deep appreciation for this country. Either way, you will leave a piece of your heart in Portugal.

Viking offers extensions on both the front and back end of their cruises but this trip report will focus on the main itinerary.

The first two days are spent exploring Lisbon through guided tours and free time. From there, you board a Viking Charter bus to ride to Porto where you will meet your ship. Along the way, you will stop in Coimbra to discover Portugal's oldest university and have a little time to shop.

Once on board in Porto, you spend the first night docked in the city before you begin sailing the next day. For the first half of the trip, you sail in the morning and partake in excursions in the afternoons. On the return, you do excursions in the morning and sail in the afternoon.

Every day there is an included excursion offered in the price of your cruise, as well as others that are available for an additional charge. The excursions offer a wide variety of experiences from museums and castles, wineries and tastings, as well as special meals and exclusive entrance into unique locations.

Stops along the way included Regua, Pochino, Barca d'Alva and a day in Salamanca, Spain. From Spain, the ship turns back and begins to sail back to Porto with stops in Folgosa, Lamego with two nights spent in Porto.

The villages along the way are filled with so much charm and truly take you off the beaten path of the larger cities. In each village, you meet locals, hear their stories, learn about their crafts and get to immerse yourself in the deep traditions of this magical country. You also get to taste a lot of wine!

Everywhere we stopped, we were greeted with open arms and never faced a crowd of tourists. Even in the height of summer travel, we felt as if we had Portugal to ourselves.

When onboard there is still so much to do and learn. From fun activities such as games and dancing to demonstrations on how to cook the famous Pastel De Nata to opening a vintage bottle of Port, there are endless ways to connect to the culture of Portugal.

A few of the highlights for me were the Tuna Folk Show, a live musical performance and the games that offered a chance for all the guests to come together to get to know each other, let loose and laugh.

If you are at all familiar with the Viking brand, you may know that it synonymous with five star service. Every staff member on board was exceptional at their job. They were passionate about ensuring every guest had a personalized and memorable experience. Everything they do encourages their guests to relax, enjoy and connect with one another.

Since this is my first Viking cruise, I cannot speak in comparison but I would be remiss not to mention the Program Director of the Viking Osfrid. His attention to detail was beyond imagination. He quickly connected to the guests, understood their interests and needs and helped make adjustments if needed. He was available for any need that came up and often anticipated it before it was even noticed.

For example, I traveled with my 78 year old mother who has significant mobility issues. The Program Director offered reduced walking excursions so she, and others like her, could still enjoy the trip without having to miss out or stay behind. His passion for his job and his love of people was evident in everything he did.

Not to mention, through his connection to the guests, he created an environment that encouraged all of us to get to know each other and I can honestly say I've never been on a cruise before where I have walked away with so many new friendships.

A few other things that must be noted. The food on board was exceptional. Each dinner had three menus, a regional menu so you can taste all Portugal has to offer as well as second, more varied menu and a classic one, filled with basic options like steak or salmon for those that weren't as adventurous.

Each dinner included wine and soft drinks, as well as chef suggestions for bottles to pair with dinner and multiple dessert options.

Lunches offered a variety of options from healthy to decadent and breakfast was a buffet as well as cook-to-order menu. I can promise you will not go hungry on a Viking Cruise.

As for ambience, Viking leaves no detail untouched. The ship is immaculate, the seating is comfortable and there is plenty of it. Each room is tastefully decorated, with plenty of storage. Your room is made up each morning and you will receive turn down service each night. There is even a pool on the sun deck!

Viking offers a variety of room styles, from your traditional smaller room on the lower decks to suite-style rooms that come with a separate seating area, balcony, daily laundry service and bottles of wine delivered to your room each day.

We stayed in a Veranda Room which offered plenty of room for my mom and I and we enjoyed having the balcony to sit on to enjoy a cup of coffee as the scenery rolled by.

With the combination of staff and location, my first Viking cruise raised the bar high but after learning about the commitment to its guests, I am confident other Viking cruises would not disappoint. There is a reason that most guests on board had sailed with Viking at least 3 times before this trip.

Once you experience a Viking cruise, you understand the value behind the experience and can quickly recognize that every dollar spent goes back to you on board to offer you an exceptional experience from start to finish.

Viking cruises are definitely designed for those that want an elevated experience. River cruises are unique because you dock in local, small cities and they are smaller in guest count. On our cruise, we only had 97 guests total.

Viking cruises are best for adults traveling together, whether that is family members, couples, multi-generational trips, friends or even solo travelers. We had a mix of all of these on our trip and it made for a fun group.

If you are considering sailing with Viking Cruises, it's best to plan ahead. Ships fill up fast and booking early will help you get the best rooms.

In addition to a large array of river cruises, Viking also offers both ocean and expedition itineraries all around the world from the Mississippi River to Antartica and everywhere in between. Viking just released a cruise down the Nile River and have more new routes being offered soon.

As a certified Viking agent, I can help answer any questions about traveling with Viking and would love to help you book your next cruise. Don't hesitate to reach out, I can promise that sailing with Viking is truly a remarkable experience.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Portugal. In need of further inspiration? Check out Gail Collins’ guide, Things to Do on a Day Trip From Porto to Guimarães.