Daddy Cruise® Douro River 2026


The world’s first designated wine region

From Porto, Portugal—a UNESCO World Heritage city—to Spain and back

On Avalon’s newest ship that’s even more affordable than Viking!




















At a Glance

How much?

$4095 including all taxes and prepaid gratuities (river view cabin) and $6095 including all taxes and prepaid gratuities (panorama suite), double occupancy, payment plans are available. Single supplement is 55% more. Final payment is not due until July 31, 2026.

When?

November 4— 11, 2026 (7 nights)

Where?

From Porto, Portugal (including an overnight there); Regua & Pinhao; Pocinho; Barca d’Alva; Salamanca, Spain; and back to Porto.

How many?

Minimum 12, but typically 20 – 40

What's included?

Double occupancy cabin (pay extra for solo occupancy); free pre-paid gratuities; most beverages (including beer/wine/soda at meals); free beverages (including alcohol) at our daily happy hour; unlimited WiFi; one excursion in each port; all taxes and port fees; onboard entertainment and activities; meals; and access to private excursions and other Daddy Cruise benefits (see below)

What's not included?

Other alcoholic beverages not cited above; transfers to/from ship; air travel to/from Porto

What else?

We are a gay group (usually 20 – 40) on a ‘regular’ cruise of 180 total guests (so we’re not an ‘all-gay’ cruise)

What about special needs?

Accessible cabins are limited; most dietary restrictions are easily accommodated

What if?

Your $500 deposit is partially refundable until July 31, 2026. Travel protection insurance is available.
The best cabins go first,
book now to get the best!








Avalon Alegria


The Alegria was launched in 2024 to rave reviews. Avalon reconfigured most of the cabins to give them something unique in river cruising: beds that face the water, not the wall. To compliment the view, they installed sliding glass doors that open the full width of the room, creating an extensive “French balcony” effect that I just love! The critics (and guests!) agree: they consistently give her top review scores. In fact, Avalon just won two coveted Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards for 2024: #1 best river cruise line, and #1 best river cruise cabin!

Because we spend so much time in port, the focus is more on the destinations, and less on the actual sailing. That’s why a shore excursion in each port is included in the price of this cruise! Now, there’s no gym on board: you’ll get your exercise exploring the fabulous cities and towns we visit. And there’s no theater with huge Broadway style productions, because you’ll still be in port checking out the local nightlife instead! That said, you’ll still have plenty to appreciate on board. And you may be wondering, why not Viking? Check out our comparison:

Avalon Alegria (new in 2024)Viking ship that also sails the Douro
Cabin sizeRiver view: 172 – 180 sq ft
French balcony: N/A
Panorama Suite: 200 sq ft		River view: 150 sq ft
French balcony: 135 sq ft
Balcony: 180 sq ft + an outdoor balcony
Balcony and the viewNone, but all suites have floor to ceiling sliding doors. The bed faces the view, not an opposite wall. It really does make a difference! Balcony is outdoors (may be chilly in November!) and the beds face the opposite wall.
Price for same cruise, same datesRiver view: $4100
Panarama suite: $6100		River view: $4450
French balcony: $7000
Balcony cabin: $7200
GratuitiesIncluded$140/person
Alcohol & soft drinksIncluded at meals and our daily happy hour.Included at meals only.
Single supplement55%78%
Final payment is due90 days prior to sailing18 months prior to sailing
Crew to guest ratio (higher is better)3.12.9
IncludedUnlimited Wi-Fi; one excursion in each port Unlimited Wi-Fi; one excursion in each port
Unbiased reviewsCruisecritic: 5 stars
Cruiseline: 5.0 out of 5		Cruisecritic: 4.5 stars
Cruiseline: 4.2 out of 5

Ships on the Douro are required to be smaller to fit the locks, so there will be fewer than 100 guests on board—typically a third of them will be our group! Super intimate, super fun!















Itinerary


Arrive in Porto and get yourself settled into your cabin. Then use the rest of the afternoon/evening to wander Portugal’s second largest city. This evening an illumination sailing will show you Porto from a different perspective.


A full day in this UNESCO World Heritage city. Take a city tour of Porto and see why it’s so celebrated. You’ll see the stately bridges, avant-garde graffiti street art, and maybe even taste some of Porto’s namesake wine—port. Or, travel to Braga and see its famed religious heritage sites, including a sacred art museum inside the Braga cathedral, a Gothic chapel, and the Bom Jesus do Monte complex with its neoclassical church atop an elaborate 17 flight stairway.


Experience life on one of the oldest farms in the Douro Valley with a personal tour by the owner of the house—including port wine tasting, or join a wine painting class with the guidance of a resident artist for a unique way to portray an image linked to the culture of wine! Or, take a guided walking tour of the charming town of Lamego with sparkling wine, and stroll past iconic landmarks like the majestic Lamego Cathedral. Nearby Pinhao is home to some great artisanal markets for woven textiles, terra cotta creations, as well as culinary delights!


Join a hands on workshop led by a professional painter to learn the process of painting azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles—you’ll see these everywhere!). Or, learn the art of port winemaking up close at a local vineyard.


This is the furthest we go upriver, and from here we take a full day excursion to the most charming city in Spain: Salamanca. Here you’ll experience its stunning streets and squares, featuring a real feast for the eyes with Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and “Plateresque” architecture (early Renaissance architecture known for its rich ornamentation that resembles a silversmith’s work) all in one compact place!


After a half day of sailing the beautiful Douro River Valley (oh, the views!), visit a vineyard to learn about (and taste!) the iconic Vinho Verde wine, considered one of the world’s unique white wines. Or, join a sightseeing tour to Amarante, a part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network under the category of City of Music. With stunning scenery at every turn, you’ll love this quaint, cobblestoned beauty!


After a half day of sailing the beautiful Douro River Valley (oh, the views!), visit a vineyard to learn about (and taste!) the iconic Vinho Verde wine, considered one of the world’s unique white wines. Or, join a sightseeing tour to Amarante, a part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network under the category of City of Music. With stunning scenery at every turn, you’ll love this quaint, cobblestoned beauty!


Alas, our adventure comes to a close after breakfast this morning as we disembark and head home…or do we? How about a few extra nights in Lisbon? Or Madrid? As my father always said, “as long as we’re already over there…”













Why Sail with Us?

Look ma, no mask!

You’ll never have to feel lost with us there to answer questions, take care of problems, and even facilitate you meeting other guys on board


From Zoom calls to a private group Facebook page to a pre-cruise dinner in our host city, you’ll feel like you’re boarding the ship with old friends already


Introverts and shy guys love feeling welcome and included as much (or as little) as is comfortable for them. No pressure here to engage!


You’ll be with a group of LGBTQ people and allies, on a regular cruise with all walks of life. This keeps costs down, and allows for discretion and diversity.


We’ll help you experience fewer unexpected expenses, fewer unpleasant surprises, and fewer travel missteps.


You’ll feel safe with our large LGBTQ group both on board, and in port. Our host ship, the Alegria, is welcoming, and our daily tours guides are sensitive to the special needs of the LGBTQ traveler.













Travel Risk Free (or pretty close to it!)


  • Travel protection insurance is available

  • Deposits are refundable (less $350/person) until July 31, 2026

  • We promise your Daddy Cruise experience will far exceed your expectations. If not, we’ll make it up to you.


Click here to see what other guys have said about our cruises
(unsolicited, unedited reviews)

We're going snorkelling.....in Alaska!












Daddy Cruises® FAQs


A: 

The cost of the cruise includes your cabin, tons of food and beverages (including wine and beer and soft drinks at meals, and cocktails at happy hour), an excursion in each port, wifi on board, taxes and port fees, prepaid gratuities, all the Daddy Cruise benefits, entertainment on board and so much more. There are additional things you’ll want to budget for: travel protection insurance (I never travel without it); additional excursions if you want them, pre-cruise or post-cruise hotels and tours, plus lots of port wine and souvenirs!


A: 

Cruise lines typically advertise cruise prices at half of what a cabin actually costs. They assume that two will share the cabin (called “double occupancy”) and each guest pays that published fare. If you sail solo with us, Avalon will add just a 55% surcharge of our advertised fare to cover the full cost of the cabin.


A: 

Of course! While we cater to the LGBTQ community, our allies are always welcome!


A: 

You’re always welcome to participate as much, or as little as you like. No pressure from us to engage, no hassle if you opt to sit anything out! We’ll be there to welcome and encourage you at whatever level of engagement feels right for you.


A: 

Enjoy it! We will offer plenty of opportunities to connect with the rest of us, but nothing is required. Dine with us, or on your own, or with a friend, or even in your cabin! Join our excursions, or not; explore a port on your own, or stay on board. It’s your vacation—spend it however you like!


A: 

It is extremely rare to become seasick on a river cruise as the waters are so calm. No waves or rough seas on a river means rocking is non-existent. Plus, river ships move at a fraction of the speed of ocean vessels so there is hardly any speed to create any seasickness on board.


A: 

Absolutely not! Large, all-gay cruises have a reputation for this, but we’ll be on a regular ship with dozens of other guests of all persuasion. You’re certainly welcome to hook up with others if you want to, discreetly of course.


A: 

Typically, most of our guests are middle aged or senior gay men, but a lot of younger guys join us as well. All races are represented, as are all genders and those of varying physical abilities. Allies (non-LGBTQ people) are always welcome.

What could be more fun than Halloween onboard!












Daddy Cruises® Exclusive Extras

When in Rome (or rather, in Tokyo)...
  • Private Facebook group page for registered guests to start connecting early.

  • Welcome Aboard Party (with free drinks!)—come meet your fellow Daddies Cruisers in a warm, welcoming, and casual atmosphere. Play our fun mingling/get-to-know-you activity, and start forging friendships that will last a lifetime.

  • Free Welcome Aboard Gifts include a lanyard for your sailing card… and then some other surprises!

  • Access to exclusive excursions just for us (additional fee applies).

  • Special discounted rates at our host hotel in Porto or Lisbon before the cruise and again after the cruise. Plus, optional tours may be offered.