One of the Danube’s Pioneer River Lines Is Heading for Port Wine Country

Amadeus River Cruises, which calls itself the first river cruise line on the Danube, is expanding beyond its home waters. Marcus Leskovar, the company’s executive vice president, told Cruise Industry News that the family-owned line will enter Portugal’s Douro River in 2028 with a brand-new ship. “We are going to add the Douro River in Portugal to our portfolio,” he said in an interview for the 2027 European River Market Report.

The Douro plan follows a busy few years of fleet building. Amadeus Aurea launched in 2026, and Amadeus Mira is expected next spring. Leskovar described the fleet as one of the most modern and youngest on European rivers, with hybrid propulsion, reduced plastic and improved onboard treatment plants, though he noted that those plants take up space that would otherwise become cabins. New for 2026 are wine cruises on the Rhine and Danube.

The guest mix is also changing. The line is moving from a Baby Boomer core toward Generation X and younger travelers, including honeymooners in their thirties. About half of passengers come from North America, with others arriving from markets such as Japan and Australia, and English is the main language on board. Theme cruises aimed at foodies, history buffs and wine lovers are central to that pitch.

Leskovar was clear about positioning. Amadeus is not all-inclusive, and he described the goal as a boutique floating hotel rather than a floating tour bus. The company operates as a shipowner rather than a charterer, a model it has followed for decades while also chartering ships to other operators. The Douro newbuild would be its first vessel on a river known for terraced vineyards and port wine.

Sources: Cruise Industry News