CALABASAS, CA — AmaWaterways has opened reservations early this year for its 2026 cruise season.
Following strong demand for its 2024 and 2025 seasons, the cruise line has decided to open bookings on all its 2026 cruise products and pre- and post-cruise land packages in Europe, Egypt, Asia, Colombia, Africa Safaris and Wildlife Cruises.
Here are some upcoming highlights:
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 Danube River beginning May 24, 2026 with a 14-night Magnificent Europe itinerary that sails between Amsterdam and Budapest. AmaMaya, meanwhile, will join AmaDara on the Mekong in August 2026, cruising the seven-night Charms of the Mekong and Riches of the Mekong itineraries, which can be combined with pre- and post-cruise land packages in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.
NEW LAND PACKAGES IN EUROPE
Two new land packages are being added as part of 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 before heading to San Sebastián. Those looking to extend their food- and wine-focused cruises can spend three nights in Paris wandering along Champs-Élysées and strolling through Montmartre.
NEW EXCURSIONS
Guests cruising on the Rhine and Moselle will enjoy a few new excursions in 2026, such as a visit to Utrecht in the Netherlands, which has been added to the Captivating Rhine, Enchanting Rhine, and Christmas Markets on the Rhine itineraries. Guests will be able to choose between a local beer tasting and a walking tour of the city. Plus, the stop in Strasbourg during Christmas season sailings has added two more excursion choices: a walking tour of the spa resort town of Baden-Baden, and a visit to France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg, started in 1570. And on the seven-night Vineyard of the Rhine & Moselle, guests will be able to explore Wiesbaden, famous for its Sekt (German champagne), and its ‘Kochbrunnen,’ an 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 Magdalena River in Colombia, utilizing two new custom-designed, luxury ships: the 60-guest AmaMagdalena and the 64-guests AmaMelodia (coming in June 2025). Already booking up, 2026 will see the continued enhancements of Magic of Colombia and Wonders of Colombia, both seven-night itineraries that sail between Cartagena and Barrangquilla. Pre- and post-cruise optional land packages take in Medellín, Colombia and Panama City.
EGYPT
The 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary will sail on two sister ships, AmaDahlia and AmaLilia. A seven-night roundtrip river cruise from Luxor is paired with three nights pre- and one-night post-cruise stay in Cairo. Popular optional land packages paired with this destination include Dubai and Jordan.
AFRICA
The 28-passenger Zambezi Queen will sail five distinct itineraries, including Discover Africa and Stars of South Africa. 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.
For more information go to www.AmaWaterways.com.
