Tauck MS Saudade

The 2027-built Tauck Saudade cruise ship is the company's second Douro River cruiser, specifically designed for passenger shipping operations in Portugal.

MS Saudade 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.

Tauck Saudade's sisterships are the similarly designed Porto Mirante (2024), Riviera Rose (2025), and Tauck Andorinha (2021).

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

The vessel (ENI number tba) will be Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255915682) and registered in Madeira/Funchal.

The ship's name (Saudade) is a Portuguese word considered one of the most beautiful and culturally significant in the language. It has no exact translation in English. Saudade (pronounced sow-DAH-duh) refers to a deep emotional state of melancholic, nostalgic longing (for a person/place/thing/memory) that is absent. It carries the heavy feeling of missing something you love, with the realization that it may never return. Unlike simple nostalgia, saudade is a powerful, almost physical "ache" felt for things that might not even have happened.

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 the Andorinha and Saudade boats, 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).

In September 2025, Tauck announced a fleet expansion in 2027, with two newbuild (Scylla-chartered) riverboats - one in Portugal (Saudade, on the Douro) and one in France (Reverie, on the Seine). The new charters effectively doubled the company's capacity in both countries/regions compared to 2025.

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 Saudade 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.

Decks and Cabins

MS Saudade has a total of 42 staterooms, including 12x Tauck Suites (29 m2/300 ft2, on Diamond Deck/Upper Deck 3) and 20x French Balcony staterooms (21 m2/225 ft2, midship on Ruby Deck/Middle Deck 2). The remaining cabins (on Emerald Deck/Lower Deck 1) have portholes (non-opening windows near the ceiling), 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 Saudade 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, Saudade'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 supports Tauck River Cruises' enrichment program by hosting daily lectures, media presentations, and port talks by the boat's Tauck Cruise Director on the cruise itinerary (ports and ashore excursions).

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 and tours, as well as its future cruise booking programs.

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

Tauck Portugal cruisetour deals

Tauck Saudade 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 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 Da-Capo Shipyard (Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands).