AmaVida

The 2013-built MS AmaVida cruises on Portugal's Douro River, departing from her homeport Oporto. While all river cruise itineraries embark in Porto, packages are available with departures from either Lisbon or Madrid. The sailing route explores the Douro River Valley—Portugal's renowned wine region known as Alto Douro.

Like most top-tier riverboats in Portugal, AmaVida is operated through a partnership between AmaWaterways (a US-based company) and Douro Azul (Portuguese cruise line and tour operator, also the ship’s owner and co-operator). She is a specially modified Concerto-class vessel, uniquely designed for the Douro River to deliver elegant style, spacious accommodations and public areas, and features rarely found on traditional river cruisers.

The vessel is Portugal-flagged (MMSI number 263751880) and registered in Lisbon. She was built by WestSEA shipyard in Viana do Castelo.

AmaVida’s sisterships include AmaDouro (2019) and AmaSintra (2025).

Cabins

The 106-passenger AmaVida offers a total of 53 staterooms, including 2 Suites, 36 Balcony cabins, and 15 with fixed (non-opening) windows. Accommodations are modern and spacious—up to 30 m² (325 ft²)—with most featuring step-out balconies.

Most cabins are equipped with French Balconies (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening to a railing). All Suites also include an additional floor-to-ceiling window. There are six cabin categories in total, each with a maximum capacity of two guests.

Cabin types/categories (by number and location):

• Suites – SU (2 cabins, Deck 3) – 323 ft² / 30 m²
• Balcony Staterooms – A (18 cabins, Deck 3), B (14 cabins, Deck 2), C (4 cabins, Deck 2) – 215 ft² / 20 m²
• RiverView Staterooms – D (8 cabins, Deck 1), E (8 cabins, Deck 1) – 161 ft² / 15 m²

Shipboard Facilities

Dining venues include the main Vida Restaurant and the 32-seat "Al Fresco" casual dining area, along with the Bar Lounge and Sun Deck. AmaVida offers gourmet cuisine featuring international dishes and traditional Portuguese specialties, with premium service and open-air dining. Free-flowing local wines are served during lunch and dinner.

Additional onboard facilities include the Main Lounge & Bar (connected to a teak-front terrace), Vida Lobby, Gift Shop, Fitness Room, Spa/Massage Room, and a top-deck area with swimming pool, sun loungers, shaded seating, and a helipad.

AmaVida cruise fares are inclusive of alcoholic and soft beverages, Wi-Fi Internet, shore excursions, land transfers, evening entertainment by local performers, daily enrichment lectures, food and wine tastings, and 24-hour coffee/tea service (featuring premium teas, coffees, snacks, and fresh juices).

AmaVida cruise prices are per person based on double occupancy and are indicative only. Final fares may vary depending on travel agency promotions, discounts, group bookings, or last-minute deals. AmaWaterways also offers discounted airfare packages with major airlines, with no flight deviation fees.

River Cruise Itineraries

AmaVida sails exclusively on the Douro River, roundtrip from the homeport of Oporto.

The AmaWaterways itinerary, titled "ENTICING DOURO", is a 12-day program (7-day cruise) starting in Porto. It includes 7 complimentary shore excursions and a 3-night pre-cruise hotel package in Lisbon with guided touring.

Itinerary sequence:

Prices start from approximately USD 3,000 per person.

The “PORT WINE and FLAMENCO” itinerary is a 15-day Portugal and Spain voyage (7-day cruise) traveling between Lisbon and Madrid (or in reverse). It includes 9 complimentary shore excursions and luxury hotel packages—3 nights in Lisbon and 3 nights in Madrid.

AmaVida is the first of three AmaWaterways ships—alongside AmaDouro and AmaSintra—offering luxury river cruises in Portugal.

The vessel is operated by AmaWaterways' "AmaVoyages" division through a partnership with Douro Azul, a Portuguese river cruise and tour company founded in 1993. MS AmaVida was christened by actress Sharon Stone.

This vessel features a newly modified riverboat design, specifically adapted for the unique conditions of the Douro River—one of the largest rivers on the Iberian Peninsula. The river originates near Duruelo de la Sierra (Spain) and flows westward into the Atlantic Ocean at Oporto (Portugal). The Douro Valley is renowned for its Port wine production and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its modern aesthetic—designed by marine architects at CMT Engineering Ltd—MS AmaVida also offers unique features, including optional mini-helicopter tours from onboard. Among her many environmentally friendly technologies are rooftop solar panels (photovoltaic panels covering 155 m² / 1670 ft²) and a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system.

A signature experience on AmaWaterways river cruises in Portugal is the complimentary guided bike tours. Guests have access to onboard bicycles for use during excursions and tours at each port of call.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper's full list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, which includes all companies and their fleets.