Ferreira & Rayford Turismo Lda. was founded in 1994 with the purpose of offering a selection of cruises on the River Douro. The company's first river cruiser, the VistaDouro, had a capacity for 130 passengers, was totally remodelled and equipped with the most modern navigation systems.

Two years later, Ferreira & Rayford Turismo Lda. purchased another company, Douro Azul Sociedade Marítima Turística Lda., and another river cruiser, the Princesa do Douro, with a capacity for 200 passengers.

One of both companies' chief policies has always been to combine shore tours with river cruises so that tourists may obtain as global a view of this memorable Region, its people and their customs, as possible. The addition of visits to quintas in the region has thus provided yet another feature that is attracting countless new tourists who are looking for something different.

Proof of this added interest in the number of new 3 and 4-star hotels that have recently been opened in the region (with additional, higher category hotels currently under construction), the proliferation of rural tourism accommodations, the number of new catering companies and the increase in demand for local handicrafts. Furthermore, the company's offer of a new type of tourism has promoted developments in the transport sector, namely the CP railway line of which the company is the largest client in the Douro Region today.

With a view to expanding its portfolio of clients beyond the borders of Portugal, in 1996 Douro Azul purchased and remodelled a hotel boat, the AltoDouro, with a capacity for offering accommodation to 48 passengers in 24 double cabins, a restaurant, bar and sun deck., all fully air-conditioned. This ship currently provides week-long cruises up the river Douro which, like several of the company's other programs, include several shore excursions, meals at special restaurants or quintas and visits to several locations of historical, scenic and historical interest. As opposed to the boats that offer day cruises on the river, the AltoDouro's passengers are almost solely from foreign parts.

Douro Azul purchased another hotel boat, the Invicta, in 1999. This new boat, with a capacity for 80 passengers in 40 double cabins, provides similar cruises to those offered by its sister ship, the Alto Douro.

The fleet of boats offering day cruises was expanded in 2000 with the acquisition of the Cenários do Douro, a replica of a historic rabelo boat with a capacity for 80 passengers, and the Douro Azul with a capacity for 350 passengers. The Milênio, with a capacity for 280 passengers, entered into service in 2002.

In 2003, the company purchased the Corsário, a typical sail boat that can carry 12 passengers. The same year, the yacht Enigma was brought into service for a demanding and elegant market. This boat can sleep 6 in 3 double cabins and offers bespoke cruises not only on the Douro river but also along the Portuguese coast. The Douro Azul III increased the fleet offering shorter cruises on the river.