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4. S.S. São Rafael

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S.S. São Rafael

When Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama set sail aboard the São Gabriel in 1497, his fleet was joined by the São Rafael, a matching ship captained by his brother, Paulo de Gama. Likewise, in 2027, our new S.S. São Rafael will join the S.S. São Gabriel on the Douro River to introduce even more guests to the rich flavors and wonderous landscapes of Portugal’s famed winegrowing region.

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Accomodation Types

Your Uniworld stateroom is a chic yet cosy cocoon- ideally designed for a daytime catnap and full-night’s rest alike. Your bed is handcrafted by Savoir® of England bed-makers to the world’s finest hotels, including London’s legendary Savoy Hotel. Your bed is dressed in divine linens of the highest quality and topped with a fluffy duvet and you always have your choice of pillow options to ensure the most restful sleep.

Your bathroom is adorned in gleaming floor-to-ceiling marble. They’ve even added special touches, such as backlit magnifying mirrors. Daily housekeeping keeps things tidy, and evening turndown service always features a scrumptious surprise.

Grand Suite

Suite

French Balcony Stateroom

Deluxe Stateroom

Classic

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Deck Plans

Your Uniworld stateroom is a chic yet cosy cocoon- ideally designed for a daytime catnap and full-night’s rest alike. Your bed is handcrafted by Savoir® of England bed-makers to the world’s finest hotels, including London’s legendary Savoy Hotel. Your bed is dressed in divine linens of the highest quality and topped with a fluffy duvet and you always have your choice of pillow options to ensure the most restful sleep.

Your bathroom is adorned in gleaming floor-to-ceiling marble. They’ve even added special touches, such as backlit magnifying mirrors. Daily housekeeping keeps things tidy, and evening turndown service always features a scrumptious surprise.

Blue Azzelij Terrace

Azores Deck

Cape Verde Deck

Madeira Deck

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Dining

Culinary Excellence

We treat cooking as an art form, a very delicious art form.

Enjoy an Unrivaled Taste of your Destinations

When dining onboard, you’ll be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit.

From Farm to Ship

Farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy culinary buzzword around here. It’s a governing philosophy and commitment to serving you the very best local dishes created by our master chefs. When in Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, prepared to your liking, with meats and vegetables sourced from just miles away. After a day immersed in Indian culture, your taste buds may do some immersing of their own with Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka for lunch. Live brilliantly. Dine locally.

Creative Culinary Options

For those interested in healthier dining options, our Traveling Lite menu conveniently highlights the lightest dinner options every evening. We also offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as gluten-free replacements upon request. If you have a specific meal preference, just ask. Our chefs will be happy to accommodate.

Feirtoria Restaurant

Heritage Bistro

Coffee Station

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Entertainment

Sip a glass of wine while you cruise past beautiful landscapes and world-famous landmarks on your way to your next destination...

Duoro Wine Cellar

Lounge

Shop

Sun Deck

Reception

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Enrichment

Portugal

Inviting and timeless

Bem-vindo! This hearty welcome envelopes you as you embark on a cruise down the Douro River Valley, noted by UNESCO for its 2,000 years of wine-making and its “cultural landscape of outstanding beauty.” As the only place in the world that can legally produce port wine, the region abounds with wine-producing farms called quintas offering private tastings. Porto is synonymous with port wine but also offers visitors awe-inspiring architecture while other ports of call along the river boast castles and monasteries.

Landmarks
There are so many ways to embrace the enchanting towns tucked along the Douro River. Feel the centuries unfold as Porto’s medieval alleys snake through UNESCO-designated neighborhoods enclosed by 14th-century walls. Head off the beaten path and explore Castelo Rodrigo whose brooding 13th-century remains continue to stand watch over the village. Witness the astonishing prehistoric carvings etched into Côa Valley’s Archaeological Park walls. Marvel at Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO-recognized site of Moorish and Gothic designs with imposing spires, carvings, tombs, and ornate arches.

Cuisine
Portugal may share a border with Spain but their cuisines are each distinctly their own. While it’s true that many of their menus have a lot in common—fresh, seasonal ingredients and similar dishes like Portugal’s arroz de pato and Spain’s paella, their use of spices sets them apart. Portuguese cooks favor hot chili peppers called piri piri and, with 1,115 miles of Atlantic coastline, seafood is the star on most menus. Bacalhau, or cod, is a particular favorite, and the Portuguese have invented hundreds of different ways to prepare it, from baking it in cream sauce to frying it into delicious bolinhas (aka “marbles”).

Wines
The Douro Valley is Portugal’s most beloved wine trail. A mecca for wine aficionados, you’ll be treated to tastings of red and sparkling wines and, of course, port. We visit traditional quintas that offer an authentic taste of this world-renowned elixir. Drink in its history in the quaint village of Barca D’Aliva with a tour and tasting at a boutique winery that’s the oldest quinta in the Douro River Valley, or set out on a vineyard hike through the hills in pretty Pinhão to a family-owned quinta where Port samples await.

Landscapes
Follow the Douro River through Portugal to cruise past quaint villages and acres of shore-hugging vineyards gently kissed by the sun. The Douro River Valley is UNESCO-designated for its “outstanding beauty,” which comes as no surprise if you spend any time sailing through the steeply terraced mountains rising from the river banks. Grape vines, silver-green olive leaves, and almond orchards are perfectly arrayed to catch the sunlight, promising a flavor and bounty unique to this corner of the world.

Masterpiece Collection

Tasting cheese with a cheese affineur in Rüdesheim or cruising through the streets of Bordeaux in a retro sidecar–if going above and beyond is what you’re after, you’ll be sure to enjoy our selection of Masterpiece Collection optional experiences, available for an additional cost.

Excursions

Expertly Curated Excursions

Immerse you in every destination

Every Uniworld cruise is meticulously crafted to be an experience you won’t find anywhere else, filled with moments that are each more breathtaking than the last. We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our included and optional excursions immerse you in the authentic culture, sights, and cuisine of the places you’ll visit.

Let's Go

Our active excursions invite you to appreciate the natural world with invigorating walking, hiking, cycling, kayaking, and golfing activities.

Do as the Locals Do

Whether we’re seeking local favorite treats or hopping on public trams to zip around town, these tours capture what it’s like to live in the destinations you visit.

Private Experiences

From visiting a museum without the crowds to an after-hours tour of a famous landmark, these included, once-in-a-lifetime experiences are arranged privately for Uniworld guests.

Village Day

On a Village Day, you’ll select from a few different ways to explore village life, often by diving into a cultural pastime or getting to know someone in town.

Make Travel Matter®

These sustainably minded excursions offer our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Travelling with Uniworld means you’re travelling with purpose—supporting sustainable tourism as well as local communities and wildlife. Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences take that even further, offering our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

They are selected with great care using a proprietary assessment tool endorsed by industry experts, which ensures that our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences directly advance United Nations Global Goals.

Nights Out

See your destinations in a whole new light

From private after-hours tours of popular attractions to local nightlife experiences, this new line of included excursions will go the extra mile to bring you uniquely memorable moments on your all-inclusive, luxury river cruise.

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Health & Fitness

Fitness Centre

Spa

Pool

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Kids & Teens

All-Inclusive Family River Cruises

Every Uniworld Generations cruise includes special programs, events and excursions designed specifically for your world travellers in training.

Special Generation Amenities

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Useful Information

Dress Code

For destinations in EUROPE:

It's best to prepare for a variety of weather conditions, depending on your travel season and the regions through which you will be cruising. Layering clothing items is always your best bet, as this allows you to adjust to most temperatures, including artificially maintained temperatures, by adding or removing items throughout the day.

Comfortable, sporty, smart-casual daywear is appropriate both onshore and onboard. Everyday slacks, khakis, walking shorts and everyday skirts/dresses are recommended. For warmer temperatures, we suggest lightweight clothing that can be layered, such as a mix of sweaters, lightweight knit shirts, slacks and walking shorts. For early spring and late fall departures, you’ll find sweatshirts, heavier cotton or wool tops and long-sleeved shirts, and corduroy or heavy khaki pants perfectly suitable. Mix and-match color schemes work best to help keep baggage light. You will participate in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore. We recommend comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option. For evenings, any resort-type wear is perfectly suitable; however, we do ask that you not wear shorts to dinner. Men may want to bring one sport jacket for dressier restaurant venues and for special events onboard such as the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell festivities. Women may wish to bring a cocktail dress or two for finer dining or entertainment experiences. Don’t forget to pack a lightweight waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) or even a heavier weight wind-breaker for colder temperatures.

We recommend wearing comfortable, smart-casual clothing both onshore and onboard. We also suggest sturdy walking shoes, as you will do a significant amount of walking on shore excursions, often over cobblestones or uneven terrain. A sun hat, rain gear, and a coat or wrap for chilly evenings are useful items to have. While there is no formal dress code for dining ashore, concerts, special events onboard, etc., men may want to bring a sports jacket and women a cocktail dress or pantsuit. Neckties are optional. Please note that shorts are not allowed at dinner aboard the ship.

For our EXOTICS destinations:

These programs are very different from European river programs; attire is more casual due to the region’s warmer temperatures. During the cruise/tour portion of your program, comfortable, lightweight clothing in lighter colors is strongly recommended. We suggest clothing that can be layered, such as a mix of cotton shirts, lightweight knit shirts, sweaters, everyday khakis, slacks, skirts/dresses, walking shorts and sun hats.

Prepare for a variety of weather conditions, depending on your travel season and the regions through which you will be cruising. Layering clothing items is always your best bet, as this allows you to adjust to most temperatures, including artificially maintained temperatures, by removing or adding items throughout the day. Mix/match color schemes work best to help keep baggage light.

You will participate in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore. We recommend comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option.

Don’t forget to pack a lightweight waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) or even a heavy weight windbreaker for colder temperatures, especially during early spring, fall and winter departures.

PLEASE NOTE: To enter the temples and other holy sites, guests should ensure that their shoulders and knees are covered.

Egypt: For evenings, we recommend casual and cool attire; however, we require footwear to be worn at all times in the dining room. Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at any time during this program. You may wish to pack at least one “smart casual” outfit for the onboard Gala Reception.

Laundry

Most ships have either a self-serve laundrette (with ironing board) or laundry service for an additional fee. Please contact info@uniworld.com to find out what services your ship offers. No dry cleaning services are available on any ship.

Special Dietary Requirements

Kindly inform us in advance if you have specific dietary requests (e.g., low-fat, low-calorie, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegetarian, etc.). This information can be provided to us when completing your Passenger Information Form. We have a “Traveling Lite” menu for guests seeking more health-conscious options, as well as light lunches, vegetarian options, and generous buffets that offer something for everyone. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs given the resources available to us.

Wi-Fi & Internet Access

Select ships offer complimentary Wi-Fi access. Please email us at info@uniworld.com to find out if Wi-Fi is available onboard. Service may be briefly interrupted in remote areas, while sailing, or when moving through locks, and the speed will likely be slower than what you are used to back home.

Smoking Policy

For the comfort of all our guests, smoking is only permitted on the sun decks of our ships. Smoking is not permitted on motorcoaches. This policy applies to all forms of smoking materials including vapor e-cigarettes.

We also ask guests to refrain from smoking on shore excursions/tours, especially since many historical sites and other tourist attractions are now smoke-free as well.

The Most All-Inclusive Amenities

High quality, luxurious amenities

There’s all-inclusive, and then there’s the unmatched level of inclusive luxurious amenities that only we provide. To ensure truly carefree and effortless travel, we’ve gone ahead and included it all—so the only thing you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your holiday.

NEVER BE BORED

Our onboard programming leaves nary a dull moment. Early risers will appreciate morning yoga sessions. Foodies may want to join a cooking demo. And those looking to dance the night away will find local entertainment in the lounge.

NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS

With every carefully selected inclusion, you'll find that we are committed to providing only the highest quality amenities. This makes every moment an opportunity for surprise and delight.

NEVER GO HUNGRY

Enjoy sumptuous buffet breakfasts and lunches during the day, then a four-course gourmet dinner in the evening. Craving a bite in between? Inquire about 24-hour room service and å la carte menus.

NEVER BE THIRSTY

Never restricted to mealtimes or happy hours, you'll find that fine wines, local beers, and premium spirits flow freely throughout the cruise. Our bar closes when the last guest turns in for the evening.

Disabled Facilities

Passengers are required to advise the Company at time of booking of any physical, medical, or other special needs that require accommodation. After the time of booking, should a Passenger develop a physical or medical condition that requires accommodation, the Passenger is required to advise the Company.

The Company may impose health and safety requirements necessary for the safe operation of the cruise-tour, and for the wellbeing of our Passengers and crew. The Company may also exclude an individual from participating in a tour or activity if that individual’s participation poses a direct threat to health or safety. To stop the spread of contagious illnesses, the Company or local authorities may require the isolation or quarantine of Passengers. These measures will not result in the eligibility for a refund of unused features or services.

The Company welcomes Passengers with special needs or disabilities, however please note that the Company does not provide personal medical or mobility devices (such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or prescription eye glasses) or services of a personal nature (such as pushing a wheelchair or assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing). A companion capable of providing such assistance must accompany any Passenger who requires services of a personal nature.

The Company does not employ medical personnel. Any necessary medical attention will be provided by a local facility at the passenger’s expense. The Company is not responsible or liable for any losses or costs incurred as a result of medical services obtained while on tour, or for the quality of the care or services received.

Passengers should be aware some tours include rough terrain, extensive walking over cobblestone streets, uneven pavement, stairs, and locations which may not be easily accessible or accessible by wheelchair. During the tour, the Company may make arrangements with carriers, hotels, and other independent suppliers to provide travel services. These parties are independent entities over which the Company has no control. Accommodations on international tours may differ from those in your home country. The Company cannot guarantee disability access or accommodations for passengers travelling on international tours.

The Company may, in its sole discretion, decline the booking of any passenger or remove any passenger who cannot comply or refuses to comply with Company’s Terms and Conditions.

Health and Safety

All guests must ensure they are medically and physically fit for travel.

Passengers are required to advise the Company at time of booking of any physical, medical, or other special needs that require accommodation. After the time of booking, should a Passenger develop a physical or medical condition that requires accommodation, the Passenger is required to advise the Company.

The Company may impose health and safety requirements necessary for the safe operation of the cruise-tour, and for the wellbeing of our Passengers and crew. The Company may also exclude an individual from participating in a tour or activity if that individual’s participation poses a direct threat to health or safety. To stop the spread of contagious illnesses, the Company or local authorities may require the isolation or quarantine of Passengers. These measures will not result in the eligibility for a refund of unused features or services.

Medical Facilities

The Company does not employ medical personnel. Any necessary medical attention will be provided by a local facility at the passenger’s expense. The Company is not responsible or liable for any losses or costs incurred as a result of medical services obtained while on tour, or for the quality of the care or services received.

Arrivals, Departures & Transfers

Airport/Ship Transfers for Uniworld Programs

If you purchase a Uniworld Air-Inclusive Vacation, you enjoy the special included convenience of scheduled group transfers between the airport and the ship/hotel on the day the cruise or cruise/tour begins, and between the ship/hotel and the airport on the day the cruise or cruise/tour ends, when air booked falls within our transfer guidelines. There may be a waiting period between transfers of two hours or more unless private car transfers have been purchased. Private car transfers are only available on the cruise or cruise/tour start/end dates and are only available for transportation between designated airports and the ship, for up to two guests per car. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of these parameters, you must make your own transfer arrangements.

Please note: Due to airport restrictions, group transfer motor coaches may not be allowed to park in front of every terminal to pick up guests. The airport-designated area for motor coaches can be a walking distance of 10-30 minutes from the terminal, depending on the airport. Our airport representatives have limited ability to carry luggage or assist guests who have mobility limitations. Therefore, guests who want or need assistance are advised to consider booking our private transfers, as most airports allow private cars to stop in front of each terminal exit.

Making Your Own Flight Arrangements: Should you elect to make your own flight arrangements, Uniworld will provide complimentary scheduled group transfers to/from the ship/hotel as long as your flights arrive/depart in the cruise/tour starting/ending cities in accordance with the dates shown in this brochure and your flight arrangements comply with the Transfer Guidelines as shown below. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of these parameters, you must make your own transfer arrangements. Uniworld will not be responsible for missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, or for missed cruise/trip days, or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing. To qualify for transfers, it is required that flight information and pre-trip arrangements for all passengers making their own flight arrangements be given to Uniworld no later than forty-five (45) days prior to departure and must conform to the Transfer Guidelines below:

Age Restriction

In our experience, most young children—especially those under 4—are simply not yet old enough to enjoy river cruising. We make no special arrangements for little ones and offer few kid-friendly activities onboard or onshore. Please note: Our Generations program departures include programs and services designed for families traveling with children. Adults accompanying children are responsible for their safety and behavior onboard and onshore.

Europe, Asia, India, and Egypt: Guests must be 4 years of age or older. Guests who are less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and booked in a cabin with someone who is 21 years of age or older.

Peru: Guests must be 7 years of age or older. Guests under 21 must be booked in a cabin with someone who is 25 years of age or older, or traveling with a parent or guardian who is booked in a connecting suite. Some excursions may not be suitable for young children.

Portugal Travel Tips

When to go: We sail all of our Portugal-Spain cruises between April and November. In spring and summer, the vineyards that adorn the Douro River Valley come alive in graduated shades of green while a joyous riot of red and gold colors greet you in the fall.

How to pack: We suggest comfortable, sporty, smart-casual daywear both onshore and onboard. Depending on your travel season, the weather can range from cool to quite hot. Check the weather before you go and pack accordingly. Layering clothing items is always your best bet, allowing you to adjust to most temperatures. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) in case of rain, though we will also have umbrellas onboard. You may participate in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore, so please bring comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option.

• Spring - MAR–MAY - Avg. Temp. 58º F / 14º C
• Summer - JUN–AUG - Avg. Temp. 68º F / 20º C
• Autumn - SEP–NOV - Avg. Temp. 72º F / 22º C
• Winter - DEC–FEB - Avg. Temp. 52º F / 11º C
• Currency - Euro (EUR, €)
• Time Zone - Central European Time (CET) - Central European Summer Time (CEST)
• Official Language - Portuguese
• Electricity - 230V supply voltage Plug type F