Faced with strong demand for its 2024 and 2025 seasons, award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has decided to open reservations early this year for the 2026 season on all its cruise products and pre- and post-cruise land packages: Europe, Egypt, Asia, Colombia, Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises. With the launch of nine new river ships over the next three years, and more than 40 different itineraries on four continents, early travel planners can choose from a variety of possibilities and lock in great savings opportunities and dates. Information on AmaWaterways as well as all of the itineraries and departure dates is detailed in a new 2026 Heart of the River brochure, available digitally at www.amawaterways.com/river-cruise-brochures in mid-July.
New 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 historical Danube River beginning May 24, 2026, on the 14-night Magnificent Europe itinerary, following the route of emperors, kings and queens as it journeys between Amsterdam and Budapest. And 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. For guests looking to extend their food- and wine-focused cruise, where better than three nights in Paris? Wandering 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 charming city of Utrecht has been added to the Captivating Rhine, Enchanting Rhine, and Christmas Markets on the Rhine itineraries. This medieval city, the fourth largest in the Netherlands, offers guests 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 season 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, started in 1570.
On AmaWaterways’ seven-night Vineyard of the Rhine & Moselle 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, with 60 guests and the stunning AmaMelodia (in June 2025) with 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 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, offering unparalleled cruise and land experiences. A seven-night roundtrip river cruise 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 luxurious 28-passenger Zambezi Queen. With five distinct itineraries to choose from, such as Discover Africa and Stars of South Africa, guests can look forward to discovering Africa's vibrant culture, spotting some of the most prolific wildlife and exploring iconic destinations like Cape Town's Table Mountain and Victoria Falls. AmaWaterways' Africa itineraries combine the four-night luxurious river cruise experience with the choice of thrilling wildlife land safaris, city stays or the timeless grace of cross-country rail travel so guests can emerge themselves into the enriching cultural experience that is unlike any other.
Cruising with AmaWaterways includes fine dining in multiple venues, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks, a daily variety of small group excursions, including hiking, biking and special interest tours, high-quality Wi-Fi, a complimentary Wellness Program in Europe and on the Mekong with a variety of host-led fitness classes, and much more.
For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.
