Tauck Reveals Pop-Up Restaurant, Other Details of New ms Andorinha Riverboat

WILTON, CT (November 6, 2019)  Tauck has announced design and décor details of its new ms Andorinha riverboat, and released the first photos of the ship.  Currently undergoing sea trials in the Netherlands, the Andorinha will officially launch next March and sail on three all-new cruise itineraries along Portugal's Douro river. 

According to Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, the ms Andorinha has been purpose-built specifically for the Douro, which is unique among Europe's more popular rivers.  "Unlike other rivers, the Douro is closed to navigation at night, so all cruising is done during daylight hours," said Mahar.  "Also, the Douro has fewer towns and cities along its banks than other major rivers, so the landscapes are more pastoral and scenic.  Finally, the Douro Valley is renowned for its beautiful warm and sunny weather," Mahar noted.  "When you combine those three factors – extensive daytime cruising through gorgeous landscapes in wonderful weather – you have a unique opportunity to create a ship that really embraces the local climate and showcases the surrounding environment."

Toward that end, the ms Andorinha's Sun Deck has been designed and outfitted to serve as an ideal platform for savoring the passing landscapes of the Douro Valley.  The Sun Deck will feature canopied Balinese day beds for comfortable, shaded lounging, plus an infinity-style pool that's five-times the size of the plunge pools featured on Tauck's other riverboats.  In addition, the Sun Deck will feature an outdoor grill to host casual barbecues along with a full-service bar to ensure that Tauck guests stay well hydrated. 

SUN DECK TO FEATURE UNIQUE POP-UP RESTAURANT

The most notable feature on the Andorinha's Sun Deck, however, will be a pop-up restaurant that rises from the stern of the ship on hydraulic lifts to become a fully functioning eatery with commanding views of the surrounding countryside.  Named Arthur's for Tauck chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., the restaurant will offer a mix of steak house-style classics as well as a selection of regional fare, and serve as a more casual alternative to the Andorinha's main Compass Rose restaurant.  When approaching any particularly low bridges, Arthur's will be briefly lowered to improve the Andorinha's clearance and allow the ship to continue along on its voyage.

Tauck's other European riverboats all feature an Arthur's restaurant at the stern of the ship's Diamond Deck; however, the Andorinha is the company's first ship to position the restaurant on the Sun Deck.  Besides having its own menu, Arthur's will also feature its own dedicated kitchen and staff, and throughout the day it will offer complimentary self-serve fruit, snacks and beverages including cappuccino, latte, coffee and tea.

CELEBRATING PORTUGAL'S CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

Inside the ship, a soaring glass-ceilinged atrium will span both the Ruby and Diamond decks, filling the Andorinha's lobby, reception area, main restaurant and lounge with natural light.  Elsewhere, select touches will highlight Portuguese culture and traditions.  For example, decorative tiles synonymous with the region will adorn various spaces within the ship, local wines and culinary traditions will feature prominently at dinners, and luxury Portuguese soaps, shampoo, conditioner and lotion will be featured in all cabins.  Even the ship's name reflects Portuguese culture; the andorinha is a native species of migratory swallow that returns to Portugal every spring.  The birds mate for life and return each year to the same nest, and small porcelain figurines of andorinhas have become a local symbol of family, fidelity and home.

To ensure that guests enjoy cool and comfortable conditions throughout the ship's interior spaces (despite the Douro Valley's abundant sunshine and warm temperatures), the 80-meter-long Andorinha will boast an air conditioning system with twice the cooling capacity found on Tauck's 110-meter ships.  In addition, windows on the Andorinha will feature a special UV-reflecting coating that lets in abundant natural light while also blocking out 82% of the sun's warmth.

As with its other riverboats, Tauck is again offering more suites, more spacious public areas, and a less-crowded, more intimate onboard ambiance, rather than maximizing passenger capacity and revenues.  The Andorinha will accommodate just 84 Tauck guests, versus up to 112 passengers – or 33% more people – on other cruise lines' Douro ships of the same approximate size.  Even with fewer guests aboard, the Andorinha will still have more director-level personnel to ensure Tauck guests enjoy the highest levels of care and service.  Like other Tauck riverboats, the Andorinha will be staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Director guides. 

 Guests sailing on the Andorinha will be accommodated in 42 cabins, including 12 300-square-foot suites on the upper Diamond Deck, and 20 225-square-foot staterooms primarily on the vessel's Ruby or mid-level deck.  The remaining accommodations (six 200-square-foot cabins and four 150-square-foot cabins) will be on the lower or Emerald Deck. 

Tauck is offering three Douro River itineraries aboard the Andorinha in 2020; a 12-day journey that bookends a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid, an eight-day "cruise-only" itinerary along the river, and an eight-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families.  The Andorinha will be christened on March 31 in Porto, and welcome its initial Tauck guests in the first week of April.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company's website at www.tauck.com.

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