Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ new ship, the Douro Spirit, made a dramatic arrival in the beautiful city port of Porto on April 30, 2011.

The inaugural event included many dignitaries and executives, including Allan J. Katz, United States Ambassador to Portugal. “Uniworld is proud to have the new Douro Spirit to take our guests through this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage region. The Douro Valley has been recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of the World’s Great Places in their annual Destination Survey,” stated Guy Young, President of Uniworld.

The Douro Valley is being increasingly recognized for its wine making and natural beauty. Its wine heritage – Port - dates back over 2,000 years with the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The Douro Valley is also a cultural landscape of exceptional beauty with rambling vineyards and charming quintas clinging to the steep slopes of its valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions. And this is what you can expect to see and experience from the comfort of Uniworld’s new Douro Spirit.

Every river view stateroom and suite onboard the Douro Spirit features a French balcony, so guests can get closer than ever to the breathtaking scenery of the region’s unspoiled natural landscapes. The Douro Spirit’s common areas provide added comfort with a main lounge featuring a full-service bar and dance floor, a restaurant, a sun deck with Jacuzzi® and small swimming pool, a lovely onboard restaurant with open seating, a fitness room, a massage room, a beauty salon, and a boutique. And all of this is presented on an intimate ship built to accommodate a maximum of 128 guests and provide the small-ship ambiance preferred by Uniworld’s experienced travelers.

“Uniworld is delighted with the growth and success we have achieved on the Douro River – surely one of the most beautiful regions in the world,” added Young.

Uniworld’s 11-day Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley cruise includes: three nights in Lisbon at a deluxe hotel with breakfast; a 7-night cruise in a stateroom with a French balcony onboard the new Douro Spirit; all meals with complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks served with dinner onboard; 10 fully hosted shore excursions by English-speaking local guides; and transfers on arrival and departure days.