Sarah Bretz, ContributorAmaWaterways has opened reservations early this year for its entire 2026 season in light of strong demand for voyages in 2024 and 2025.
With the launch of nine new river ships over the next three years and over 40 different itineraries on four continents, those who like to plan their travels early can choose from a variety of options and lock in great savings opportunities and dates.
New AmaWaterways Ships
After announcing plans to launch seven new ships (in Portugal, Egypt, Colombia, and Europe) in 2024 and 2025, AmaWaterways will add two more in 2026. AmaSofia will sail the historic Danube River beginning May 24, 2026 on the 14-night Magnificent Europe itinerary, which follows the route of emperors, kings, and queens as it journeys from Amsterdam to Budapest.
AmaMaya will join AmaDara on the Mekong in August 2026, cruising the seven-night Charms of the Mekong and Riches of the Mekong itineraries, which are easily combined with pre and post-cruise land packages to discover the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia, or the bustling centers of Ho Chi Minh City Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, or Bangkok, Thailand.
New Land Packages in Europe
Two new land packages are being added as part of the AmaWaterways’ seven-night Taste of Bordeaux sailings in 2026. Guests can book the new four-night pre-cruise option and spend two nights in Madrid, enjoying panoramic city tours and walking tours of the Royal Palace and the city’s Old Town before heading to the romantic city of San Sebastián, where a stroll through the Old Town offers insights into the city’s history.
Those looking to extend their food and wine-focused cruise can spend three nights in Paris. There, they’ll be able to wander along Champs-Élysées with its cinemas, sidewalk cafes, and luxury specialty shops; visiting the artist’s refuge of Montmartre and finishing with an evening illumination tour of the “City of Light.”
New Excursions
Guests cruising on the Rhine and Moselle will enjoy some new excursions planned for 2026. The city of Utrecht has been added to the Captivating Rhine, Enchanting Rhine, and Christmas Markets on the Rhine itineraries. This medieval city offers visitors tree-lined canals, Christian monuments, and a venerable university. Guests will be able to choose between a local beer tasting and a walking tour of the city.
The stop in Strasbourg during Christmas sailings has added two more excursion choices: a walking tour of the famous spa resort town of Baden-Baden or a visit to France’s oldest Christmas market in Strasbourg, starting in 1570.
On the line’s seven-night Vineyard of the Rhine & Moselle itinerary, guests will be able to explore Wiesbaden, famous for its Sekt (German champagne), and its “Kochbrunnen” — a historic thermal hot spring dating back to Roman times.
Colombia
In January 2025, AmaWaterways will be the first major river cruise line to sail the picturesque Magdalena River in Colombia, utilizing two new custom-designed luxury ships on this historic route — the intimate AmaMagdalena carrying 60 guests and the AmaMelodia (in June 2025) holding 64 guests.
Already booking up, 2026 will see the continued enhancement of its two immersive itineraries, Magic of Colombia and Wonders of Colombia. The seven-night itineraries cruise between Cartagena and Barranquilla and guests enjoy locally-inspired Latin American cuisine, immersive excursions, and a variety of lively entertainment representative of the country’s colorful culture. Pre and post-cruise optional land packages take place in Medellín, Colombia and Panama City.
Egypt
AmaWaterways takes guests on an immersive 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary on two sister ships, AmaDahlia and AmaLilia. A seven-night roundtrip voyage from Luxor is paired with three nights pre and one-night post-cruise stay in historic Cairo. Popular optional land packages paired with this destination include Dubai and Jordan.
Africa
Travelers can take a walk on the wild side and sail along Africa’s Chobe River aboard the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen. With five distinct itineraries to choose from, such as Discover Africa and Stars of South Africa, guests can discover Africa’s vibrant culture, spotting some of the most prolific wildlife and exploring destinations such as Cape Town’s Table Mountain and Victoria Falls.
AmaWaterways’ Africa itineraries combine the four-night luxurious river cruise experience with the choice of wildlife land safaris, city stays, or cross-country rail travel so guests can experience a cultural experience unlike any other.
Comments
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