Tauck MS Andorinha

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Tauck Andorinha cruise ship is the company's first-ever Douro River cruiser. The boat was specifically designed for passenger shipping operations in Portugal. MS Andorinha is a newbuild vessel with minimized passenger capacity to provide more spacious staterooms and public areas, resulting in a more intimate cruising experience with fewer guests and a better crew-to-passenger ratio.

MS Andorinha's sisterships are the similarly designed Porto Mirante (2024) and Riviera Rose (2025).

Currently, the shipowner Scylla AG charters Andorinha exclusively to the USA cruise travel company Tauck Tours/fleet.

The vessel (ENI number 7002117) is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255915682) and registered in Madeira/Funchal.

History - construction and ownership

Tauck Travel is a USA-based company (travel agency and cruise tour operator) specializing in river cruises and guided land tours. The company was founded in 1925 and is currently headquartered in Wilton (Connecticut USA). The company is privately owned and family operated (by the Tauck family). It offers more than 140 all-inclusive land excursions, European river cruises, and small-ship ocean cruises (on chartered vessels), as well as family-themed travel vacations and African safaris in more than 70 countries worldwide.

For the design and construction of MS Andorinha, Tauck Travel teamed with Scylla AG (the shipowner). The riverboat's hull was built at Vahali Shipyard (in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), while the ship's final outfitting was completed at the Hardinxveld Shipyard (in Hardinxveld, Holland). The vessel was launched in 2020 and inaugurated in 2021.

Tauck River Cruises deals are all-inclusive.

Ticket price-inclusive amenities include:

• shipboard dining (all meals - breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and light snacks), plus some meals during land excursions (dining at selected restaurants)
• shipboard beverages (specialty coffee and teas, soft drinks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks by the glass - house wines, beers, and premium spirits - throughout the day)
• shipboard entertainment and enrichment programs (live music, dancing, local performances, lectures, food and wine tastings, gala events, and special evenings), as well as specially designed cultural activities ashore
• shipboard Wi-Fi/Internet (unlimited throughout the voyage)
• accommodations (both on the riverboat and often hotel overnights pre- or post-cruise, or during the land portions of the cruisetour itinerary)
• land transfers (airport/train transfers, usually at the start and end of the voyage), all gratuities/tips (ship crew, local tour guides, Tauck Directors, etc.)
• shore excursions (guided land tours, group bus travel)

Tauck's cruise fares also include various fees and taxes (port charges, fuel surcharges, government taxes).

Itineraries

Tauck Douro River cruises on Andorinha are grouped into 3 new itineraries (all departing roundtrip from homeport Oporto City), including a 12-day itinerary (7-day cruise plus two 2-night hotel stays in Madrid and Lisbon), an 8-day "cruise-only" itinerary, and an 8-day "Tauck Bridges" family-themed voyage with 4 summer departures in late June and early July.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021, MS Andorinha became Europe's first riverboat to restart cruises with passengers. Departing from Oporto on May 22, the Scylla-operated ship began a 7-night voyage along the Douro River.

Decks and Cabins

MS Andorinha has a total of 42 staterooms, including 12x 29 m2 (300 ft2) Tauck Suites on Diamond Deck (Upper Deck 3) and 20x 21 m2 (225 ft2) staterooms located midship on Ruby Deck (Middle Deck 2). The remaining cabins are on Emerald Deck (Lower Deck 1) and have portholes (non-opening windows), including 6x 19 m2 (200 ft2) and 4x 14 m2 (150 ft2).

All Middle and Upper Deck staterooms have slide-opening French balconies (floor-to-ceiling windows that open to a railing). Cabins in categories 1 and 2 (on Emerald Deck) have porthole windows (non-opening) positioned high on the riverside wall.

All staterooms, regardless of cabin category, offer the following complimentary amenities: en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity with under-storage, glass-door shower, WC, multi-function shower head, hairdryer, premium bath amenities, razor-only outlet), hotel beds (2 twin beds convertible to a double/Queen), ample under-bed space (for suitcases), large wardrobe, lounge area (with a low table and 2 chairs), complimentary Internet and WiFi, complimentary mini-bar (soft drinks), HDTV with infotainment system, mirrored vanity table with chair, wireless phone, electronic safe box (in the closet), complimentary bottled water (supplied daily), individually controlled air-conditioning, and power outlets (220V / 110V).

Suites additionally have a larger lounge area (with a pull-out sofa) and a larger bathroom (with a bathtub).

Each cabin is equipped with a 42-inch smart HDTV (satellite reception) with an infotainment system (in-room complimentary Internet, on-demand movies, real-time bridge cam views).

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

Shipboard facilities

With a passenger capacity of 84, MS Andorinha carries fewer travelers compared to most Douro River cruise ships operated by major companies. The boat has a higher crew-to-passenger ratio to ensure that Tauck's customers receive the highest level of service.

Like all Tauck-chartered riverboats, Andorinha's staff includes one Tauck Cruise Director plus three Tauck Directors employed as tour guides.

Among the ship's main facilities are Compass Rose (the Main Dining Room restaurant on Deck 2), Arthur's Restaurant (a specialty/alternative fine-dining venue with indoor and outdoor seating, located aft on Decks 3 and 4/Sun Deck), Panorama Lounge (a bar-saloon on Deck 3 with a bow terrace), two bars (one open-air on the Sun Deck), and a spacious top-deck sunbathing area with an outdoor heated swimming pool (midship on the Sun Deck). Aft on the Sun Deck, there is a shaded seating area covered with retractable awnings. Forward, adjacent to the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge, are the solar panels producing most of the electricity used on the ship. The Sun Deck area is served by its own outdoor bar.

The forward-located Terrace on Deck 3 is an outdoor lounge with open-air seating (tables and chairs). The Terrace is served by Panorama Bar and has direct access to the Sun Deck above. The adjacent Panorama Lounge and Bar is an indoor lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating, and a complimentary beverage station (tea/coffee, mineral and carbonated water, biscuits, pastries). The lounge's evening entertainment program features live performances by guest entertainers (local musicians and dancers boarding the ship), talent shows by the crew, and nighttime dance parties. The lounge also serves Tauck River Cruises' enrichment program by hosting daily lectures, media presentations, and port talks by the boat's Tauck Cruise Director related to the cruise tour itinerary (ports and excursions ashore).

In the Lobby area (Deck 3 midship), between the Panorama Lounge and the Suites, are 2 ship entrances (portside and starboard embarkation/debarkation areas), the Reception (24-hour Guest Services Desk providing assistance, cashier services, and information on daily scheduled tours and onboard activities), the Cruise Director Office, and the Shop (selling handmade souvenirs, occasion gifts, and travel essentials). The Reception Desk also serves Tauck's excursions/tours and future cruise booking programs.

All cabin decks are connected by a staircase and an elevator. Smaller aft staircases connect Decks 2-3 and 3-4 (Sun Deck). Four outside staircases connect Deck 3 with the Sun Deck.

Tauck Portugal cruise tour deals

Tauck Andorinha cruise deals are inclusive of the following services and amenities:

• open-seating dining in Compass Rose (Main Dining Room); vegetarian and vegan meals are available upon request.
• specialty dining at Arthur's Restaurant (open for light breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• weather permitting, alfresco/open-air dining aft on the Sun Deck
• American breakfast room service (complimentary for Suite Category 5 only)
• complimentary snacks throughout the day (served between 10 am and 12 midnight)
• unlimited shipboard beverages (including regional wines by the glass, beers, premium spirits, brand coffee, bottled water, soft drinks)
• enrichment lectures, live piano performances (nightly), in-cabin movies, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment (by local guest performers), and nightly themed fun (dance parties, crew show)
• complimentary Wi-Fi/Internet

Laundry service is available at an extra charge.

The ship's name (Andorinha) is the Portuguese word for a swallow species. These migratory birds return to Portugal in spring after spending the winter in North Africa. For the Portuguese, the word also symbolizes home, family, and fidelity.

The vessel's construction (hull and superstructure) was completed at the Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Following construction in Serbia, the ship was towed to Holland for final outfitting at Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, The Netherlands.

The riverboat's christening ceremony took place on August 7, 2021, in Barca d'Alva, Portugal. The godmothers were announced in July - Jennifer Tombaugh (Tauck's President) and Sharyn Cannon (Tauck's Chief Culture Officer).

• Jennifer Tombaugh joined Tauck Travel in 2001 and, as of 2021, oversaw the company's Worldwide Operations, Brand Management, Guest Relations, Reservations, and Sales departments. She was also responsible for the launch of Tauck Bridges (the company's family travel brand), as well as the formation of Tauck Ventures (focused on new business development).
• Sharyn Cannon joined Tauck Travel in 1999 as Director of the Reservations Sales Center. As of 2021, she oversaw Tauck Director Management, Human Resources, and IMPACT (Tauck's philanthropic efforts), and also co-led the company's Global Response Team (crisis management).
• The ship's naming ceremony was held on Day 3 of the 12-day Maiden Voyage ("Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid" itinerary), which began with a 2-night hotel stay in Madrid.

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.