The Douro Valley – right in the heart of Portugal’s wine region – is becoming the most chic of holiday destinations, favoured by travellers seeking an immersion in nature alongside a taste of some of the best wine in Europe.
But with tough locks to navigate, it’s not always as easy for the crew on board river cruises in the region as it is for the passengers sitting back and relaxing.
On board MS Estrela, Captain Bruno Olo and his crew navigate along Portugal’s Douro River.
In a new episode of the YouTube documentary, Ship Shape, the Daily Mail goes behind the scenes of the vessel – and what it takes to guide wine-lovers through one of Portugal’s most beautiful landscapes.
The first hair-raising hurdle? Getting through the largest lock in Europe, the towering 35-metre Carrapatelo lock.
There’s no room for error, with just 30cm of clearance on either side.
Captain Bruno says: ‘It can be very, very dangerous. Any movement can be a mistake. When I cross that part, it’s just the music and my concentration. Nobody can say a word.’
The margins are fine – and the moment is a tense one, unsurprisingly capturing the attention of guests on board.
The custom-built MS Estrela takes up to 120 guests along the Douro Valley
Its biggest challenge is fitting through the almost impossibly narrow Carrapatelo lock
But with the aid of three sailors on the wings and bridge, the captain manages to make it through – delivering his passengers to one of the world’s oldest wine regions.
Managing director Paul Melinis says: ‘We get lots of travellers to come on board on the Douro just to experience these locks.
‘And it’s great when you’re there. You can’t really paint a picture yourself. It is impressive to see from the top down.’
That’s not all, though.
Shortly after, the ship approaches one of the Douro’s lowest crossings, the Ponte de Mosteirô.
Footage shows how the ship must go under the centre of the bridge to avoid a collision.
The ship is a real feat of engineering – and a team of five ensures the ship operates smoothly, including the captain, an engineer, and three sailors.
As well as the Carrapatelo lock and Ponte, there are other challenges to face – including the Crestuma Dam, just 22km from the ocean.
Captain Bruno Olo runs a team of five, including an engineer and sailors
The captain must also navigate the ship under the low Ponte de Mosteirô
But in surmounting the challenges of the river, he delivers guests to the magnificent region
Here, a controlled chamber fills with 13,000 cubic metres of water and raises the vessel nearly 14 metres.
Bruno says: ‘Each lock has an operator, and that operator will tell us what kind of conditions we are going to have when we approach the lock – the level of the water, the pumping of the water.
‘The locks are hydroelectric so they produce energy and sometimes they are producing so much energy it affects the pumping of the water.’
Beyond the technical challenges, the cruise reveals the beauty of the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, with locally inspired cuisine and a visit to the historic vineyards of Quinta da Pacheca.
‘There are beautiful, unique places around Europe and the world. But Portugal stands out for the rich history and the culture that we have,’ says Artur Carvalheir, the cruise director.
The MS Estrela has been specially designed to navigate the winding waterways here – and with space for up to 120 guests on board, the experience is more intimate and personal.
There are 60 cabins, one restaurant and a panoramic lounge.
The ambience on board is familial and welcoming, with the managing director Paul saying that you ‘get to know the people on board – whether it’s the people serving your wine or your coffee. It’s a really nice family feel, and that’s what makes the experience special.’
The MS Estrela takes guests on a seven-day trip through the winding waterways
Executive chef Swapnil Karpe emphasises the focus on locally sourced ingredients
Foodies can rejoice in the plethora of options on board, with an emphasis on seafood
Read More
Luxury cruise ship chefs reveal the staggering amount of wine, steak and lobster they go through
A seven-day journey on this ship begins in Porto, before travelling along the Douro River.
And with a successful passage ensured, it’s time to focus on food – specifically seafood, which makes up 90 per cent of the menu, according to executive chef Swapnil Karpe.
Swapnil explains: ‘We source all this fresh seafood from the local markets, from Porto, from Regua.
‘Almost all our desserts are made freshly on board, and we source all these ingredients from Portugal.’
Wine is, of course, central to the cruise experience.
As the MS Estrela docks in Regua, the technical challenges are over, leaving only a vast landscape of greenery and vineyards.
Hugo Amaral, the tasting room manager at Quinta da Pacheca, one of the oldest estates in the region and which offers visits for cruise passengers, says in the video: ‘The river was the main road for many decades.
‘It was the only way to transport wine from the region to Porto.’
A visit to a vineyard is part of the many excursions organised by the river cruise
Guests can sit back and relax on board, enjoying the rolling hills and vineyard views
It’s a standout excursion on the cruise, with tours, tasting and landscapes to die for.
The region has 115 native grape varieties – ones that are only found here.
You can even get involved in foot stomping on the grapes to help make wine, an age-old method – it’s an activity that can last as long as three hours, with various different people putting in shifts.
The new ship accommodates guests who want their trip planned from start to finish, with excursions included under APT packages.
However, if you’re looking for freedom and the flexibility to explore, look at Travelmarvel packages.
The MS Estrela takes you on a journey – from the nail-biting dams and locks that will have you wondering how it’s possible to get through, all the way to the relaxing greenery of the vineyards where you’ll immediately forget about it all and soak up some rays – and enjoy a glass of wine (or two).
