AmaWaterways Makes History With New Colombia River Itinerary

16.04.2024 - 22:00 / travelpulse.com / River Cruise / Kristin Karst / South America / Magdalena River

This article originally appeared in the April issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.  Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

Founded in 2002, AmaWaterways continues to flourish by offering a top-notch product, ground breaking new itineraries and close ties to travel advisors.

This year, the company is launching an entirely new destination for river cruising – the Magdalena River in Colombia – as it forecasts another record year for revenue.

Rudi Schreiner, co founder and president of AmaWaterways, said the company is “very optimistic that 2024 will set a new record for revenue. It is exciting to see this pattern of strong growth in demand, as our 2024 sales are almost 40 percent ahead when compared with 2023 results at the same time last year.”

“With the early reservations for groups, charters and part charters, 2025 is also shaping up to be an excellent year, reflecting a 20 percent increase in capacity on the Rhine, Danube and Douro rivers in Europe; two new ships on the Magdalena River in Colombia and an additional ship on the Nile,” Schreiner noted.

“We do not expect this growth to slow down at all in the future.

River cruising is the most efficient and stress-free way to enjoy historic cities, off the-beaten-path villages and scenic landscapes,” he said. “It allows guests to double their leisure time, as they can visit multiple destinations without the need for constant packing and unpacking, and with the ships’ ability to dock right in the heart of cities, it is so easy for guests to explore on foot or walk right off the ship into the middle of cultural sites.”

The newest destination in river cruising, Colombia, is resonating with travel and their clients, according to Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president of AmaWaterways.

“We are thrilled about the launch of our new river cruise destination in Colombia, and the response from travel advisors and guests has been absolutely amazing,” she said. “AmaWaterways is making history as the first major river cruise line to navigate the Magdalena River, introducing two remarkable ships in 2025 – AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia.

“Our two curated seven night itineraries, sailing between Cartagena and Barranquilla, offer travelers the exclusive opportunity to explore the only river in the Caribbean region, uncovering UNESCO-recognized sites and rich cultural and culinary traditions.”

The 60-passenger AmaMagdalena, which is scheduled to start sailing in January 2025, has 237-square foot twin-balcony staterooms with both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Four suites in two categories measure 306 and 516 square feet.

A rendering of the first AmaWaterways ship to sail on Colombia's Magdalena River. (Photo Credit: AmaWaterways Media)

The ship will