SS Sao Rafael

The 2027-built Uniworld Sao Rafael ship cruises on the Douro River in Portugal, departing from homeports Lisbon and Oporto. Rafael's sistership is SS Sao Gabriel (2021).

The riverboat is named after Archangel Rafael. "SS" stands for "Super Ship".

The shipowner Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company and subsidiary of The Travel Corporation (TTC).

The vessel is Portugal-flagged (MMSI number tba) and registered in Oporto.

SS Sao Rafael is one of Uniworld's three newbuild riverboats launched in 2027, together with SS Audrey and SS Marlene.

Sao Rafael is one of the most luxurious ships cruising on the Douro River. Food and wine will be major themes on the cruiser. As for itinerary highlights, passengers can expect the best of Portugal's traditional cuisine and premium wines from the scenic vineyards in Douro Valley (the country's wine-growing region).

Uniworld DOURO cruise itineraries

The ship operates a 13-day cruisetour itinerary inclusive of 7-day cruising (Oporto to Vega de Terron), with ports of call (sequence on the eastbound route) Entre-os-Rios (Amarante), Regua (Lamego), Pinhao, Pocinho (Barca d'Alva / Castelo Rodrigo) and Vega de Terron (debarkation).

This UNIWORLD river cruise tour is inclusive of Lisbon hotel (pre-cruise package), bus transfers (Lisbon-Oporto, Vega de Terron-Salamanca, Salamanca-Madrid) and Madrid hotel (post-cruise package).

Next is listed the riverboat's day-to-day schedule as officially announced by UNIWORLD:

• DAY 1: Arrival at Lisbon Portela Airport, optional group transfer or private transfer, Uniworld representative meet-and-greet, transfer to the hotel.
• DAY 2: Lisbon city tour (also visiting Jeronimos Monastery)
• DAY 3: Lisbon, morning bus transfer (via Obidos) to Oporto (cruise ship embarkation)
• DAY 4: Oporto - choice of a city tour or "Do as the Locals Do" walking tour (with food and wine tastings and vintage tram ride)
• DAY 5: Oporto (shopping tour) or excursion to Guimaraes
• DAY 6: Entre-os-Rios (optional excursion to Quinta da Aveleda estate with gardens and museum)
• DAY 7: Regua (Lamego city tour with wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca estate)
• DAY 8: Pinhao - optional excursion to Sandeman's Quinta do Seixo Wine Centre (guided tour with wine tasting) or Vineyard hiking tour (with wine tasting), afternoon cruising towards Pocinho
• DAY 9: Barca d'Alva - optional excursion to Castelo Rodrigo (town) or Coa Valley Archaeological Park, shipboard Gala Dinner
• DAY 10: Vega de Terron (cruise ship debarkation), bus travel to Salamanca (walking tour), bus transfer to Madrid, Madrid hotel check-in, a guided walking tour (Madrid at Your Doorstep)
• DAY 11: Madrid - optional excursions Corral de la Moreria (with Flamenco dancing and restaurant dinner), bus city tour or a walking tour (both visiting Prado)
• DAY 12: Madrid - bus tour to Toledo (walking tour)
• DAY 13: Madrid (departure) - hotel check-out, optional airport transfer (group or private), home flight

The 11-day itinerary (Oporto to Lisbon) is themed "Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley".

Decks and Cabins

SS Sao Rafael staterooms (a total of 50, in all 5 grades) include 4x Classic, 10x Deluxe, 20x French Balcony, 12x Suite and 4x Grand Suite. Cabins are relatively small in comparison with those on other Uniworld ships, and sized 29 m2 (GRAND SUITE), 20 m2 (SUITE), 15 m2 (FRENCH BALCONY and DELUXE) and 13 m2 (CLASSIC). All staterooms are outside, offering unobstructed river and countryside views.

• All Deluxe and Classic staterooms are midship on Lower Deck (Madeira Deck) and feature fixed (non-opening) half-height windows.
• All French Balcony staterooms are midship on Middle Deck (Cape Verde Deck) and have French balconies - fully opening floor-ceiling windows that open to a railing to form a false balcony (Juliet balcony).
• All Upper Deck (Azores Deck) staterooms are Suites, including the four midship-located Grand Suites (boat's largest accommodations). All Suites have French balconies and large living areas.

For the first time on the Douro River, Uniworld's Suite passengers enjoy a dedicated butler service offered on other Uniworld river cruise ships deployed in Europe.

Regardless of the cabin type/category, all staterooms offer adequate storage space and good-sized en suite bathrooms (with WC-toilet, mirrored single-sink vanity, under-sink storage, L'Occitane en Provence bath products / Hermes toiletries in Suites). All cabins are airconditioned, with double handmade Savoir Beds (convertible to single twin beds), 1-drawer bedside tables (phone, ceiling-mounted reading lamps), premium bedding sets (Egyptian linens), mirrored wardrobes (slide-opening), electronic safe box (in the closet), mirrored and marble-top vanity/dressing table (with chair), floor-ceiling curtains, top-quality carpeting, smart HDTV with interactive Infotainment system (Internet, on-demand movies).

The larger-sized Suites additionally have a seating area with a 2-seater sofa, modern reading lamps (on tables), an armchair, a glass-top coffee table, as well as larger bathrooms with bathtubs.

Riverboat's dimensions (80x20 m / 263x66 ft) have been dictated by the relatively narrow and short river locks. Shipboard amenities are slightly different from those available on all Uniworld-owned vessels.

SS Sao Rafael is staffed by all Portuguese crew (37 total). All crew cabins are located on Lower Deck (Madeira Deck).

The boat has 4 decks, of which 3 have cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

All guests receive complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet access, and Uniworld's exclusive butler service.

Next are reviewed SS Sao Rafael's venues and facilities by deck location.

On Madeira Deck (1st floor) is the wellness complex that consists of a Spa (massage room for treatments) and a Fitness Center/Gym. Adjacent to the Spa is the Guest Laundry Room (equipped with self-serve laundry machines). Aft are the ship's machinery rooms (engines and propulsion). On deck 1 are also all staff and crew cabins, plus cruise cabins from 101 to 115, of which Classic and Deluxe Staterooms.

Forward on Cape Verde Deck (2nd floor) is the Galley (kitchen and storage rooms for provisions), adjacent to the Feirtoria Restaurant (full-capacity Main Dining Room). The Restaurant has open seating arrangements. The Portuguese cuisine-inspired menu also includes traditional international and American dishes. Breakfast and lunch are at not fixed times, while the waiter-served dinners start at ~7 pm. In front of the Restaurant are the 24-hour Coffee Station (providing complimentary beverages and light snacks) and the Douro Wine Cellar (a venue for sommelier-led wine tastings of local/regional Douro wines). The Madeira Deck also houses cruise cabins, all of which are French Balcony.

Forward on Azores Deck (3rd floor) is the Bow Terrace (an outdoor area without seating) accessible via the adjacent Vintage Bar & Lounge. The boat's main lounge offers 180-degree views and plenty of comfortable seating. All beverages served here are complimentary, as well as light food, afternoon snacks, brand coffees, alcoholic beverages, and nonalcoholic drinks - all provided free of charge and throughout the day. The nightly entertainment includes performances by a resident pianist. Daily entertainment options include port talks/briefings (by the Uniworld Cruise Director), cooking classes, food demonstrations, lectures and media presentations, bingo, and trivia games.

Also on Deck 3 is the Heritage Bistro - a complimentary dining venue that serves bakery-style food. It is one of the ship's three dining options, alongside the Feirtoria Restaurant and the Coffee Station (both on Deck 2 below).

Midship on Deck 3 is the boat's Lobby Hall with the Cruise Director's Office, the Reception Desk (providing 24-hour guest assistance and services), and the Boutique Shop (selling mainly souvenirs, local crafts, and Uniworld-branded merchandise). The Azores Deck also houses cruise cabins, all of which are Suites.

One elevator (forward-midship) interconnects all cabin decks.

Forward on the Sun Deck (4th floor) is the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse, which is passenger accessible and telescopic (can be lowered for passing under low bridges). The midship Sundeck has sunbathing areas and shaded seating (one retractable awning with solar panels) that can be lowered when the ship passes under low bridges. The sundeck area is furnished with sunloungers and deckchairs. The roof-covered aft sundeck area (Blue Azzelij Terrace) is furnished with 4-seat tables. Sundeck's main feature is the heated outdoor swimming pool with outdoor showers.

The pool deck is directly accessible via stairs and the boat's elevator that interconnects all decks.

Uniworld offers air-inclusive cruise deals and pre/post-cruise hotel packages as extensions (at additional cost).

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.