Portugal’s Douro Valley gains a new way to cruise its wine country in 2027. VIVA Cruises has given its Douro ship, formerly Porto Mirante, a new identity as VIVA MIRANTE and lined up 32 all-inclusive, seven-night sailings between March and November. The Douro river cruise 2027 programme spreads departures across spring, summer and autumn, giving holidaymakers a wide choice of dates.
Announced on 5 November 2026, the change marks the ship’s first full season sailing solely under the VIVA Cruises brand. The voyages link Portuguese riverside towns with the region near the Spanish border, tracing the river through terraced vineyard country.
A new name for a young ship
VIVA MIRANTE is not a brand-new vessel, but it is a recent one. It began sailing in 2024 and has room for 120 guests, with roughly 30 crew on board.
That small scale is a big part of the appeal. With a modest number of passengers and a dedicated crew, life on board is designed to feel personal rather than crowded.
The new name completes the ship’s move into the VIVA Cruises fleet, and the company is refreshing the ship’s entrance and its marketing to match. VIVA Cruises also operates river cruise programmes elsewhere in Europe, including in France and Italy.
What’s included on board
Cabins come with French balconies: large glass doors that open behind a safety rail, letting in the valley air as the hillsides drift past.
Each cabin is fitted with air conditioning, a TV, a coffee maker and a minibar, which is refilled every day as part of the fare.
The all-inclusive package is generous. According to the cruise line, it covers:
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, served across two restaurants, including the main Riverside dining room
- Drinks: a choice of premium wines, spirits and cocktails
- Extras: Wi-Fi and crew gratuities
- A treat: a High Tea served once on each voyage
Between meals, guests can unwind in the panoramic lounge, the sky lounge or up on the sun deck. Facilities also include a swimming pool, sun loungers, a fitness room and a boutique shop.
The route: Porto, Pinhão and the wine country
VIVA Cruises has highlighted a sample departure from Porto on 23 June 2027, coming back on 30 June. Along the way, the ship calls at Leverinho, Folgosa, Pocinho, Pinhão and Régua.
Each stop shows a different side of the valley. Porto sets the scene with its colourful riverfront and historic streets. Pinhão sits among vine-covered slopes, while Régua is one of the working hubs of the Douro wine trade.
The scenery along the river belongs to the Alto Douro Wine Region, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Wine has been made here for roughly 2,000 years, and the landscape shows it: steep slopes of vines, stone-walled terraces, little villages and long-established wine estates.
From the deck, you are looking at centuries of work by local families who shaped these hillsides. It is a view that rewards travellers with an interest in history, farming and rural culture as much as wine lovers.
Douro river cruise 2027: when to go
With departures from March to November, timing comes down to personal taste.
- Spring: the valley turns a fresh green as the new season begins
- Summer: long days leave plenty of light for sightseeing ashore
- Autumn: the vineyards take on a different character as the season turns
VIVA Cruises has not released figures on bookings or demand, but the long season means more choice for anyone working around school holidays, family events or other travel plans.
Why it matters for UK travellers
The UK is one of VIVA Cruises’ sales markets, alongside Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and the 2027 sailings feature in its UK programme.
The 23 June 2027 departure is advertised from £2,295 per person, a fare that takes in meals, selected drinks and the standard services on board. Prices will vary by cabin, departure date and availability.
The sample sailing starts and ends in Porto, so it pairs neatly with a few nights in the city. Before booking, confirm whether your package includes flights, transfers and shore excursions, as these can change the overall cost.
The Douro also suits travellers who prefer an unhurried pace. You unpack once, meals and drinks are already taken care of, and the scenery does the rest.
Planning a trip?
If the Douro has caught your eye, browse our river cruise holidays for more ideas on Europe’s waterways, or explore our Portugal holidays to add a few extra nights in Porto before or after your sailing.
FAQs
When does VIVA MIRANTE sail on the Douro in 2027?
VIVA MIRANTE has 32 departures scheduled from March to November 2027, spread across spring, summer and autumn, and each cruise lasts seven nights. A featured sailing departs Porto on 23 June 2027, comes back on 30 June and calls at Leverinho, Folgosa, Pocinho, Pinhão and Régua.
What is included on a VIVA MIRANTE Douro cruise?
The all-inclusive fare covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus selected premium wines, spirits and cocktails, a minibar refilled daily, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities. Guests also enjoy one High Tea per voyage. Flights, transfers and shore excursions may not be included, so check the details of your booking carefully.
How much does a Douro river cruise 2027 on VIVA MIRANTE cost?
In its UK programme, VIVA Cruises is advertising the seven-night 23 June 2027 departure from £2,295 per person. The final price depends on your cabin, departure date and availability, so compare the full cost, including any flights and excursions, before you reserve.
