Introducing the new MS Estrela – APT Douro River Cruise

In April 2025 I received an invitation to the three-night christening event of the APT’s latest ship, the MS Estrela, on the picturesque Douro River in Portugal.

The weather hadn’t been great for this time of year, so in order to catch a bit of sunshine and a more favourable looking forecast the ship had been docked away from Porto. Weather in this area is similar to most of Europe in April, it can be nice or it can be mixed.

Once on board the MS Estrela I was very pleased to see a well-designed and modern ship that was to be my home for the next 3 days. I had the pleasure of staying in a middle deck Category B French Balcony Suite, which was not only contemporary and spacious but also provided lots storage for all my belongings with lots of draws and hangers. The suite featured a full-size window that could be effortlessly opened with just the push of a button. The bed was comfortable, giving me a good night’s sleep. It is worth knowing that on the Douro there isn’t any overnight sailing. So those clanks and assorted metallic noises as the ship goes through a lock that one can get on the Rhine or Danube at 4am are not something you need to worry about here.

The following day, I toured the rest of the ship. The Sun Deck is furnished with plush, mattress-style loungers, which tend to only be on the very best ships these days. Towards the rear lies a three-hole putting green. Towards the bow, a shaded seating section offers a nice area to enjoy a drink from the bar.

One thing that every luxury Douro river ship needs to have is a good swimming pool. The pool on the MS Estrela is a decent size for the Douro, and compares favourably with other European river ship swimming pools. However, it is somewhere to cool off in, rather than be able to swim lengths, just to be clear. No one was trying it out in April, but in the hotter months it would be a godsend in my opinion.

A place where you will spend a lot of time during your stay is the Main Lounge which feels light and spacious. It offers different seating areas, a dance floor, and a piano which will be used by onboard musicians (hopefully). Towards the front of the lounge there is a separate area furnished with spacious horseshoe sofas, creating a nice area for social gatherings. Moreover, stepping out onto the terrace located at the front of the ship allows guests to enjoy the incredible views of the terraced hillsides and whilst passing through the Douro river’s awe-inspiring locks.

The sun did come out in the end for the christening ceremony. Travel Weekly’s Editor-in-Chief, Lucy Huxley, was officially named the ship’s Godmother in a fun, light-hearted ceremony. Following speeches and blessings by local priests, everyone celebrated as the champagne bottle smashed against the ship’s bow, echoing cheers throughout.

In our specially curated 3 days, we sailed through the stunning scenery of the Douro River, passing through the impressive Carrapatelo lock towering at 35 meters. Our journey included a visit to the Quinta Da Pacheca wine estate, where we enjoyed port tasting that was well matched with cheese and indulgent chocolate cake.

On our final night in Porto, APT surprised us with an enchanting illumination cruise. The city, already captivating by day, truly revealed its beauty under the night sky.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Douro. The standards of the ship were high and the staff did a great job in looking after us all. With demand high for the Douro, APT are also building a second ship to start sailing in 2027 which is exciting news. For now, I am happy to recommend the Estrela to our customers for an unforgettable trip along Portugal’s Douro River.

If you’d like to explore the Douro on the brand new APT MS Estrela, then please get in touch with us.

Simeon
Global River Cruising