A guide's eye, a cruise director's discipline

Lusitano Collective is a premium tour company based in Lisbon, founded in 2026 by André Simões.

André Simões, founder of Lusitano Collective

André Simões

Founder

André's journey in tourism began in 2019 as an international tour guide, working with some of the world's leading luxury river cruise brands, including Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises and Uniworld.

His career soon grew beyond guiding. From 2023 to 2026 he worked as Activity and Enrichment Manager aboard Scenic and Emerald vessels across Europe, responsible for everything from guest experience and entertainment to shore excursion operations, and supporting the Cruise Director directly.

Working with guests from all over the world shaped how he thinks about travel: the best experiences are not simply visited. They are felt, remembered and shared.

That idea became Lusitano Collective, which brings together local knowledge, international hospitality experience and a personal approach to designing days in Portugal. Fluent in several languages and endlessly curious about people, cultures and places, André runs the company on the same principle that has guided his whole career.

Founder André Simões kneeling at the front of a large cruise group beneath the 25 de Abril bridge in Lisbon
André (front, kneeling) with OUTbound guests from our first cruise programme, Lisbon, summer 2026.

“Every guest should leave with a story worth telling.”

What we believe

Small is better

Groups stay small so everyone can hear the guide, ask questions and step into places a coach group can't.

Local, properly

Our guides, drivers, restaurants and winemakers are people we know personally and work with season after season.

Time is precious

A port day is short. We plan every minute so it feels unhurried, and so nobody ever misses the ship.

Let's plan something together

Whether you run a cruise line or you're travelling yourself.

Get in touch
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