Bright getaway on the Douro aboard the MS Gil Eanes from CroisiEurope
The MS Gil Eanes from CroisiEurope captivates with its contemporary elegance and thoughtful design, carefully created to highlight the timeless beauty of the Douro River and its vineyard valleys. Launched in 2015, the MS Gil Eanes combines modern comfort, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional panoramic views, offering a unique river cruise experience where every moment invites discovery and relaxation.
Refined escape and bright views
Elegant cabins & French balconies
The cabins on the MS Gil Eanes from CroisiEurope are spread across three main decks: Main Deck, Middle Deck, and Upper Deck. On the Middle and Upper decks, most cabins feature floor-to-ceiling sliding windows opening onto a French balcony, while those on the Main Deck have large fixed panoramic windows. The four suites, two on the Upper Deck and two on the Middle Deck, offer spacious living rooms, with the Upper Deck suites also featuring a private terrace.
Bright interiors & inspired décor
The MS Gil Eanes features a palette of taupe, bronze, bright white, and touches of blue inspired by Portuguese azulejos: illuminated walls, light wood, sleek, cozy, and refined contemporary furniture. The daytime areas are bathed in natural light, and the lounges offer stunning views of the river. The bar-lounge, located at the front of the Middle Deck, invites conviviality, while the main lounge and library provide peaceful, calm, and elegant retreats.
Sun deck, pool & outdoor relaxation
At the top of the MS Gil Eanes, the sun deck offers comfortable lounge chairs, shaded areas, and sunbeds around a relaxing outdoor pool to cool off or admire the Douro’s rolling hills. An outdoor space at the front of the Middle Deck also allows free, wide, and unobstructed views of the green riverbanks. A peaceful, calm, quiet atmosphere invites relaxation, perfect for enjoying the gentle, warm beauty of the Portuguese landscape.
Flavors & gastronomy of the MS Gil Eanes
Updated Portuguese menus & seasonal ingredients
On board the MS Gil Eanes from CroisiEurope, the cuisine celebrates the authentic terroirs of the Douro: local wines, Portuguese specialties elegantly reinterpreted, and carefully selected fresh, seasonal, flavorful ingredients. The chefs craft balanced, creative menus where culinary tradition subtly blends with innovation. Each meal becomes a true sensory, rich, memorable experience, linking the richness of the Portuguese region to refined French culinary art.
Panoramic restaurant & dining moments
The main restaurant on the MS Gil Eanes, located on the Main Deck, offers a warm, cozy, and refined dining room with large panoramic windows that provide continuous, bright views of the stunning landscape. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are served in an elegant setting where natural surroundings fully enhance the dining experience. The light, the changing colors of the river, and the room’s elegance create a unique, welcoming, calm, and perfect atmosphere for relaxed conviviality.
Festive bar-lounge & mellow evenings
The bar-lounge on the MS Gil Eanes, adorned with large bright windows, becomes the heart of convivial, cozy, and lively moments on board: gourmet appetizers, sunset cocktails, soft music, light dancing, or themed evenings depending on lively stops. This space perfectly blends a festive vibe with elegant comfort. Each evening extends the charm of the Douro, filled with shared laughter, a refined atmosphere, and warm, joyful moments etched in memory.
Life on board: Rhythms, discoveries & relaxation
Excursions & cultural immersion
The MS Gil Eanes from CroisiEurope offers carefully planned itineraries that combine rich heritage, winemaking, and stunning natural beauty: Porto, Régua, Pinhão, excursions to Lamego, visits to wine cellars, and sometimes an extension to Spain (Salamanca) depending on the chosen journey. Each stop is thoughtfully designed to blend cultural discovery with majestic landscapes. Passengers explore local traditions through living history, vineyard regions, and picturesque, sunlit villages.
Calm moments & river wellness
On board the MS Gil Eanes, between activities, passengers can relax in comfortable lounges, enjoy the peaceful silence of the river from their cabin, the sun deck, or the private terrace of the suites. The tranquil, serene surroundings of the Douro fully encourage deep relaxation, quiet contemplation, and gentle rejuvenation. Every quiet moment becomes a true peaceful pause of calm and serenity, carried by the gentle beauty of the river landscapes.
Elegant entertainment & evening conviviality
Evenings on the MS Gil Eanes blend subtle elegance with festive, joyful moments: welcome cocktails, varied musical entertainment, friendly social exchanges, light dancing, and simple shows. These special moments pleasantly extend the day in a warm and elegant atmosphere. They beautifully strengthen the spirit of conviviality on the journey, turning each evening into a shared, genuine, and unforgettable memory.
Scenic routes & stops of the MS Gil Eanes
Douro: Vineyards, valleys & views
The routes of the MS Gil Eanes from CroisiEurope explore the majestic Douro Valley, its terraced vineyards, riverbanks shaped by time, and charming villages. From Régua to Pinhão, the stunning landscapes offer constant wonder at every river bend. The changing light on the hillsides and the calm, peaceful waters enhance the feeling of a timeless, magical journey. Each stop also reveals unique, rich local flavors and warm cultural experiences.
Historic stops in Portugal & Spain
The MS Gil Eanes offers routes that include Porto, with its old quarters and majestic bridges, as well as traditional, charming villages like Lamego and Vila Real. On some itineraries, Salamanca in Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage site, adds a fascinating touch of rich historical richness. These stops clearly show a strong contrast between Portuguese culture and Spanish roots, widening the trip and making the travel experience richer, deeper, and more memorable.
Local culture & personalized experiences
At each stop, the MS Gil Eanes encourages an authentic immersion: local flavors, historic architecture, traditional music (sometimes fado), artisan markets, and visits to family-owned wineries. These unique experiences make the journey sensory, immersive, visual, and deeply cultural. Passengers share a special connection with Portuguese traditions, enriching the trip with unforgettable emotions, moments, and meaningful discoveries.
Exceptional support for your Douro cruise
Personalized advice and tailored choices
Voyages Aqua Terra carefully guides you in choosing the perfect cabin on board the MS Gil Eanes (with French balcony or panoramic view), selects excursions tailored to your wishes, and advises you on the best dates based on seasonal colors, harvest time, or peaceful river moments, ensuring a smooth and personalized journey. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make your experience smooth, harmonious, and fully personalized.
Exclusive privileges & refined services
Thanks to our exclusive network, you can enjoy possible upgrades, priority bookings for popular excursions, special meals, private tastings, and personalized experiences aboard the MS Gil Eanes. Such privileges make your stay even more unique, precious, refined, memorable, and truly exceptional. These thoughtful touches naturally add comfort, elegance, serenity, pleasure, and sophistication to every moment on board.
Precious moments and lasting memories
Every experience on the MS Gil Eanes becomes a precious and unforgettable memory: a skylark soaring in the clear sky, the golden light on the lush vineyards, the subtle taste of port at sunset, or the shared laughter during a lively themed evening. With Voyages Aqua Terra, all these moments turn into lasting, enhanced, and vivid images, warmly engraving your cruise in memory with deep emotion.
