Dining

Lounge

Custom-built to embrace the natural light of the sun-drenched Douro Valley, relax in the lounge accompanied by a cocktail or book. Recline on a plush couch as you watch the spectacular scenery drift by from the comfort of your climate-controlled position.

Outdoor Lounge

The MS Estrela offers many spaces to relax on board as a ship designed to maximise your comfort. On the Sun Deck, recline by the pool on a plush sun bed and watch the gorgeous landscapes glide by with a drink in hand.

Lobby

The Lobby can be found on the Upper Deck.

Sun Deck

Rejuvenate in the sun

Relax on board the MS Estrela and take in beautiful surrounds from the Sun Deck. Rest by one of the largest pools on the Douro and treasure the passing landscape. Treat yourself to a drink from the outdoor bar and recline on a plush chair.

Onboard Entertainment

Enjoy nights of wine, song and dance with onboard entertainment including Portuguese folk music. Uncover knowledge about the local culture with immersive history lessons and engaging talks with experts.

Excursions

Local Connections: Meet with artisans, chefs, and historians who bring a personal perspective to their homelands, enriching your understanding of each destination.

Seasonal Experiences: Travel during special seasons to witness unique events like the vibrant Keukenhof tulip festival in Amsterdam or Germany’s festive Christmas markets.

Adventure and Activity: For those seeking activity, engage in guided mountain treks in Germany, cycling through French vineyards, or kayaking excursions along the Danube.

Natural Wonders: Glide past Europe’s diverse ecosystems, from the lush landscapes of the Netherlands to the dramatic Rhine gorges and the rolling hills of Portugal.

Historical Exploration: Dive into Europe’s history with guided tours of medieval castles, ancient fortresses, and significant World War landmarks that span centuries.

Cultural Immersion: Experience local traditions, from exclusive vineyard tours and tastings along the Douro to private classical concerts in Vienna’s City Palace.

Namedy Castle

Princess Heide von Hohenzollern graciously welcomes APT guests into her home, Namedy Castle, a royal escape set near the Rhine River in Germany. After wandering through the castle and its manicured gardens during this exclusive Signature Experience, you’ll attend a morning tea, where a pianist sets the mood.

Cocktail Party and Private Performance at Vienna’s City Palace

Head to the princely family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace in the heart of the Austrian capital of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. During this extraordinary Signature Experience, a full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss. You will also be enchanted by an operatic recital.

Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘The Sound of Music’ Show

On this incredible Signature Experience in Austria, be welcomed by a Jagdhornbläser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film, ‘The Sound of Music’.

Golubac Walking Tour

On this Signature Experience, enjoy a fascinating walking tour of Golubac, a charming village in eastern Serbia. Explore the striking 14th-century Golubac Fortress, which stands at the entrance to the Iron Gates of the Danube, and hear about its captivating history from your expert guide. Then, visit a local riverside tavern, where you’ll delight in a delicious Serbian meze tasting, featuring an array of small dishes such as cheeses, cured meats and other local specialties.

Folk Art House and Horse Show

On this memorable Signature Experience, visit the Folk Art House, where local handicrafts are on show. Then, visit a producer of one of Hungary’s spiciest exports, paprika. Afterwards, a farm in Puszta is the perfect setting for a stellar horse show and authentic Hungarian lunch.

Iron Gates Cruising

Get ready to witness nature at its finest today as your ship cruises through the Iron Gates, a stunning natural wonder of lush forests, towering cliffs and rugged landscapes. This spectacular series of gorges connects Serbia and Romania and makes for an unparalleled cruising experience.

Villány Wine Tasting

On this Freedom of Choice sightseeing activity, travel to Villány, a renowned Hungarian wine region known for its red and rose varieties. Here, you will pay a visit to a local winery, where you will enjoy a tour and tasting.

Belogradchik

Venture to the town of Belogradchik in Bulgaria and visit the ancient Belogradchik Fortress, perched on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. You’ll also see the town’s unique rock formations.

What’s Included

Meals: All meals on board are included and are served in the restaurant in a single sitting. Open seating allows you to sit at different tables if you wish to meet other passengers. 

Beverages: Coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout the day and during meals. Complimentary beer, wine and soft drink is included.

Dress Code

The dress code while on tour is casual. For daytime, we suggest comfortable clothing that can be layered to accommodate changing weather, and comfortable footwear is a must. We suggest packing a breathable weatherproof jacket, a fleece jacket/vest or a warm jumper, a warm jacket, a warm hat, a wide-brimmed hat, walking trousers/shorts, t-shirts, non-cotton base layers of varying weight, clothing and shoes for downtime and restaurants, underwear and socks. Bring some smart casual outfits for the evenings, and perhaps pack a dressier outfit for the welcome dinner, or if you are planning an evening at the theatre.

Passengers Requiring Assistance

Accessible facilities on board our river ships are limited and this can also include some accommodation. Passengers must walk up and down stairs to manoeuvre between decks, and in some instances, to disembark or embark the vessel. The MS Estrela is equipped with an elevator, which services the three accommodation decks. The Sun Deck is accessible via stairs from the Upper Deck. River cruise vessels are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Wheelchairs must be collapsible as hallways and doors on board may not be wide enough to accommodate them.

Additionally, coaches and minibuses used for transfers and shore excursions may not be equipped with wheelchair ramps. Any condition requiring assistance must be reported to APT at the time of reservation. Facilities and services for passengers with disabilities differ among destinations and, in some cases, may be limited or non-existent Participants requiring assistance must be accompanied by a person responsible for and physically able to provide assistance.

We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, getting on and off tour buses and other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. 

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the ships. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the decks. For the safety and comfort of guests, your cooperation in observing the smoking policy is appreciated.

Dietary Requirements

If you have special dietary requests, please advise your travel agent or APT at the time of booking and remind the Cruise Director/Maître d’ on board upon arrival. Please note that facilities to grant special dietary requests on board are limited. While the chefs will try to accommodate requests, no guarantees can be made.

Minors

Minors under the age of 18 travelling to foreign countries must be accompanied by an adult and have a notarised letter of consent signed by the parent(s) not travelling with them. Parents, guardians and chaperones are responsible for overseeing the conduct of minors in their care. As such, minors may not be left unsupervised on board the ship. A parent or legal guardian MUST accompany children under the age of 18 on all tours for safety and liability reasons. Please contact our Reservations Team for more information.

Packing Tips

Pack your passport, wallet with cash, credit cards, bank cards, and airline tickets/e-ticket confirmation details. We recommend packing your travel bag with extra layers, a water bottle, rain gear, snacks, and sunglasses. Pack a clear zip-lock bag to carry all liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage, as well as medications and copies of prescriptions, sunscreen and lip balm, sunglasses, and toiletries.

Recommended optional items include insect repellent, a small umbrella, a camera and memory card with a charger, a universal converter for all electronics, a travel alarm clock, binoculars, a list of important addresses and contact numbers, a photocopy of the first page of your passport (kept separate from passport), reading material, and a European phrase book.

Internet Access

On the MS Estrela, wireless internet is complimentary in public areas and also in cabins.

Medical

There are no medical personnel on board, and medical services are not available. However, medical assistance can be arranged from shore, as the ship is typically near a town. Any associated charges will be advised at the time of service. 

Laundry

Laundry services are available on board. Price lists will be available in your stateroom. Clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board. Self service laundry facilities are not available on board. For safety reasons, it is not permitted to use an iron in your stateroom.

Hours of Worship

If you would like to attend a service and it fits in with your itinerary, ask your Tour/Cruise Director for local places and times of worship. 

Elevator

The MS Estrela is equipped with one elevator between the three accommodation decks, and the Sun Deck is accessible via stairs from the Upper Deck.