Nicko Cruises (German river cruise brand owned by Mystic Cruises) announced that MS Duoro Serenity is joining its fleet in 2021.
Deployed on Douro River in Portugal, the riverboat has scheduled 36 departures from homeport Oporto, Portugal through Duoro Valley all the way to the border with Spain.
The 2017-built ship is owned by Douro Azul (fully-owned subsidiary and brand of Mystic Cruises). The boat was built by WestSEA (in Viana do Castelo) and previously chartered to TravelMarvel (APT-owned sisterbrand of AmaWaterways) and Riviera Travel (UK) but in 2021 joins Nicko's fleet of 19 boats. MS Duoro Serenity has max passenger capacity 126 and 63 staterooms over 3 decks. Along with a bar, restaurant, and lounge area, the vessel has a pool with sundeck and panoramic windows that can be lowered throughout.
As part of Nicko Cruises fleet, Douro Serenity will operate 8-day roundtrips from Oporto through Douro Valley (UNESCO Heritage Site). Ports of call include Regua (for a guided tour to Lamego), Pinhao with its Baroque Mateus Palace in Vila Real, Vega de Terron with an excursion over the border to the Spanish university town of Salamanca and Barca d’Alva with its historical sites.
Currently, Nicko Cruises operates in the UK through Light Blue Travel - for both direct and trade sales.
Setting sail in 2021, 7-night Duoro cruises on MS Duoro Serenity start from GBP 1,400 per person.
Fares include return economy flights and transfers in Portugal, all onboard meals, unlimited drinks (wine, beer, cocktails, all soft and hot drinks), gratuities, Wi-Fi, 4 guided excursions, and port taxes.
Nicko Cruises was among the first river cruise lines to commence operations in Europe post-COVID.
MS nickoVision set sail on June 18 for a trip from Dusseldorf along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, in what marked a turning point for the industry. Nicko also operates cruises on the Danube, Elbe, Rhone, and Seine rivers.