VANCOUVER — Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is teaming up with Canadian chefs Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk for a second river cruise, this time along Portugal’s Douro River.
The eight-day ‘A Chef’s Culinary Adventure of Delightful Douro’ itinerary will sail round trip from Porto on Nov. 5, 2027, combining Scenic’s river cruise experience with a series of culinary events hosted by Crawford and Kirk.
Pricing starts at $8,745 per person, based on double occupancy. Guests who book by Nov. 15, 2026 can choose from two Best Available Offers: free airfare plus savings of up to $400 per person, or savings of up to $2,000 per person. For a limited time, Scenic is also offering an additional $350 per person in bonus savings.
“Portugal’s Douro Valley is a magical place where culture, history, and extraordinary food seamlessly come together. We are so excited to host this ultra-luxury Scenic cruise and share our passion for local flavours, wine, and culinary storytelling with everyone on board,” said Chefs Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk.
Crawford has more than 25 years of culinary experience and has served as executive chef at Four Seasons hotels in Toronto and New York. She has also appeared on several Food Network programs including Wall of Chefs and received the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada’s 100 Best.
Kirk has more than 20 years of international culinary experience and has worked in leading establishments in Toronto, London and New York City. She has also appeared on Iron Chef America, Iron Chef Canada and Top Chef Masters.
ONBOARD CULINARY EXPERIENCES
The sailing will take place aboard the 96-guest Scenic Azure Space-Ship and will feature several events created specifically for the departure.
Guests will begin the cruise with a welcome reception, followed during the week by an interactive cooking demonstration led by Crawford and Kirk. The chefs will share some of their favourite techniques and culinary inspirations, while guests will also have the opportunity to take part in an intimate Q&A and a personal photo opportunity with the duo.
The sailing will also feature a chef-curated dinner created exclusively for the departure and inspired by the flavours of Portugal.
EXPLORING THE DOURO
Beyond the onboard culinary programming, the itinerary will explore the food, wine, culture and history of the Douro Valley.
Guests will travel through vineyard-lined landscapes, sample Port wine and traditional Portuguese cuisine and visit communities throughout the region.
The itinerary also includes a visit to Salamanca, Spain, known for its historic architecture, as well as a kayaking excursion along the Pinhão River past traditional villages.
In Provesende, guests will have an opportunity to experience local village life, while another highlight is a private classical concert inside São Francisco Church.
FIVE-STAR EXPERIENCE
The cruise is part of Scenic’s 5-Star ultra-luxury river offering, which includes private butler service for every suite, premium beverages throughout the day, a daily restocked mini-bar and up to five onboard dining experiences.
Guests also have access to a wellness area and fitness centre. Tips and gratuities, local guides, Scenic Freechoice excursions and Scenic Enrich experiences are included in the fare, with additional charges generally limited to select optional services such as spa and salon treatments.
For more information, go to www.scenic.cruises or email info@scenic.ca.
