AmaWaterways: Cruise deeper, stay longer

From the Danube and Rhône to Portugal’s Douro Valley and Colombia’s Magdalena River, AmaWaterways is redefining luxury river cruising with Complimentary Land Packages on select 2026 and 2027 departures – extending each journey with seamless city stays, expert-led touring and more time to explore

In the world of luxury river cruising, AmaWaterways has built its reputation on a simple but powerful idea – that the most meaningful journeys are those taken at an unhurried pace, with time to truly connect to place. Known for its contemporary fleet, generous staterooms and immersive itineraries, the family-owned company has long appealed to travellers who value cultural depth, thoughtful design and seamless service over sheer scale.

With fewer guests onboard than many traditional river ships, AmaWaterways’ fleet offers a more spacious, refined experience. One where twin-balcony staterooms blur the line between inside and out, dining is regionally inspired and wellness is woven into daily life through guided walks, cycling excursions and onboard hosts. It’s a style of cruising that prioritises both comfort and curiosity.

Now, for select 2026 and 2027 departures across Europe and South America, AmaWaterways is extending that philosophy beyond the river itself, offering a Complimentary Land Package on a curated collection of itineraries.

Designed to book seamlessly with the cruise, these pre- or post-journey extensions add time in some of the world’s most compelling cities – with premium hotel stays, daily breakfast, guided sightseeing, transfers and the continuity of travelling with an AmaWaterways Cruise Manager throughout.

The result is a journey that feels complete, cohesive and considered, allowing travellers to explore deeper, linger longer and leave logistics behind.

Gems of Southeast Europe – Wine Cruise (Danube River)

AmaWaterways’ ‘Gems of Southeast Europe – Wine Cruise’ traces the lesser-travelled Lower Danube, revealing a richly layered region where cultures, cuisines and winemaking traditions intersect. Sailing through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, this itinerary ventures well beyond the classic Danube routes to uncover a part of Europe defined by resilience, diversity and deep historical roots.

The journey typically begins in Budapest, Hungary’s grand riverfront capital, before heading south into historic wine regions near Pécs and Mohács, where Roman-era viticulture still shapes the landscape. In Croatia’s Vukovar, excursions balance poignant modern history with tastings of regional varietals such as Graševina and Frankovka.

Belgrade delivers a dynamic contrast – a city shaped by centuries of shifting empires at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers – before scenic cruising through the dramatic Iron Gates Gorge, one of the river’s most striking natural passages. In Bulgaria, medieval fortresses, traditional food culture and riverside towns add further texture, before the voyage concludes in Romania, with time to explore Bucharest’s elegant boulevards and Belle Époque architecture.

Throughout the cruise, a dedicated wine expert guides tastings and onboard pairings, bringing depth and context to every glass.

Essence of Burgundy & Provence – Festive Delights (Rhône & Saône Rivers)

The ‘Essence of Burgundy & Provence – Festive Delights’ itinerary is a sensory journey through France’s most celebrated culinary and wine regions, unfolding along the Rhône and Saône rivers. From medieval towns to Roman ruins and vineyard-laced hillsides, this cruise captures the essence of French art de vivre, heightened by the warmth and charm of the festive season.

Beginning in Burgundy, guests explore historic towns such as Dijon, Chalon-sur-Saône and Tournus, where cobbled streets, Romanesque abbeys and nearby vineyards define the landscape. Wine-focused excursions reveal the character of the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais.

Further south, Lyon – France’s culinary capital – invites guests to discover its UNESCO-listed old town and traditional bouchons. As the journey continues into Provence, ports such as Viviers, Avignon and Arles showcase sun-washed stone villages, the grandeur of the Papal Palace and the artistic legacy of Van Gogh.

Festive touches throughout the cruise add seasonal flair, while onboard tastings and regionally inspired cuisine bring Burgundy and Provence’s flavours vividly to life.

Enticing Douro with Smithsonian Journeys (Douro River)

Set within Portugal’s UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, ‘Enticing Douro with Smithsonian Journeys’ combines breathtaking scenery with expert-led cultural exploration. Sailing round-trip from Porto, this itinerary delves into a landscape shaped by more than 2,000 years of winemaking.

Stops in Régua and Pinhão introduce traditional quintas, while excursions extend to the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of prehistoric rock art. A cultural day trip to Salamanca adds a Renaissance counterpoint.

Time in Porto reveals the city’s layered history through its UNESCO-listed old town and famous wine lodges. Smithsonian Journeys experts provide deeper historical and cultural context throughout the voyage.

Magic of Colombia (Magdalena River)

AmaWaterways’ ‘Magic of Colombia’ explores the Magdalena River, Colombia’s historic lifeline. Sailing between Barranquilla and Cartagena, this journey offers rare access to regions largely untouched by traditional cruising.

Stops include Nueva Venecia, Santa Bárbara de Pinto, Magangué and the UNESCO-listed town of Mompox, where colonial architecture and musical traditions endure. The journey concludes in Cartagena’s atmospheric walled old town.

Paired with a Complimentary Land Package, this itinerary offers powerful insight into Colombia’s cultural past and present.

Discover AmaWaterways’ Complimentary Land Packages today.