Portugal's Douro River Has Reached Maximum Capacity for Ships

In recent years, Portugal’s Douro River has emerged as one of Europe’s most popular river cruise destinations. 

Now, however, authorities say the waterway has reached its maximum capacity for ships, reports Travel Weekly.

The publication obtained a copy of a letter sent March 31 from the Port Authority of the Douro to river cruise lines. 

The Port Authority of the Douro wrote that it cannot authorize additional “hotel ships” until it reviews the river’s operational conditions.

It’s not yet clear how the Port Authority of the Douro’s decision might affect river cruise lines moving forward. 

However, a spokesperson for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, which plans to launch the new S.S. Sao Rafael on the waterway next year, told Travel Weekly its plans have not been affected. 

Numerous brands have launched river ships on the Douro in recent yeras, including AmaWaterways, Viking, Avalon Waterways and Riviera Travel. And other new ships are scheduled to launch in the coming years, including AmaWaterways’ AmaGaia and Amadeus River Cruises’ Amadeus Douro, to name a few.

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