AmaMagdalena Welcomes First Guests, Opening New Horizons for Tourism in Colombia

Sydney, Australia – AmaWaterways has officially welcomed AmaMagdalena, the first-ever luxury river cruise ship to navigate Colombia's Magdalena River. The historic launch, which took place on April 12, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the company and a transformative breakthrough for tourism in the country. This addition expands AmaWaterways' portfolio, introducing a new region to its offerings beyond Europe, Asia and Africa.

“Our expansion into Colombia represents a new chapter for AmaWaterways and for the world of river cruising,” said Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and CEO of AmaWaterways. “We are proud to be the first major river cruise line to explore the Magdalena River, a region that until now has been largely inaccessible. AmaMagdalena opens the door to a culturally rich destination, and we've worked closely with local communities to ensure our presence benefits everyone involved - from our guests to the people who call this river home.”

Carrying just 60 guests, AmaMagdalena was custom-designed in collaboration with Colombian craftspeople and woodwork specialists to bring the heart and soul of the region onboard. The ship's creative vision, led by architect and interior designer Camilo Restrepo, was inspired by the region's natural beauty to offer an intimate, upscale experience. Staterooms, ranging from 22 to 48 square metres, were built by interior designer Mariana Schlegel Donado of Casa Schlegel Donado from Barranquilla and feature AmaWaterways' signature twin-balcony design. Cartagena-based Ocean Projects brought their expert craftsmanship to river cruising, handcrafting the ship's woodwork.

Onboard amenities include a Sun Deck pool, spacious fitness room, a Main Restaurant offering regionally inspired Latin American cuisine alongside Western favourites, and an intimate al fresco specialty dining venue.

The two immersive seven-night itineraries, Magic of Colombia and Wonders of Colombia, sail between Cartagena and Barranquilla and include unique cultural highlights such as a private celebration of the world-famous Barranquilla Carnival, a guided heritage tour and exclusive jazz performance in the UNESCO-designated city of Mompox, birdwatching of rare endemic species and a musical and historical exploration of Palenque—the first free town in the Americas. Optional pre- and post-cruise land packages are available in Medellín, Cartagena and Panama City.

“The launch of AmaMagdalena is more than bringing our guests to a new destination—it's about creating lasting connections between cultures, celebrating the rich history and natural beauty of the Magdalena River, and offering new opportunities for local communities,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and chief brand ambassador of AmaWaterways. “We've seen locals lining the riverbanks, waving and cheering with joy as they see AmaMagdalena. It's a moment of pride, unity, and shared celebration for us and the communities along this majestic river.”

Steve Richards, Managing Director AU/NZ added, “We're incredibly excited to see the first departure of our long-awaited river cruising on Colombia's Magdalena River. Over 5 years of research and development have brought this vision to life; being the first ever river cruise line to travel these waters is a true testament to AmaWaterways' pioneering spirit.

“We've seen strong bookings for Colombia coming out of Australia and New Zealand this year, with travel advisors telling us this has been very appealing to their well-travelled clients who have been everywhere and done everything. They're looking for new stories and experiences, and to travel off the beaten track. That's what a Colombian river cruise will offer them”.

AmaWaterways' expansion into Colombia has been supported by ProColombia and local stakeholders, with a shared commitment to responsible tourism and community engagement. Through training initiatives and collaboration with local leaders, the program aims to create meaningful economic opportunities for riverside communities while preserving the cultural and ecological integrity of the region.

Later this year, AmaWaterways will launch AmaMelodia, its second ship on the Magdalena River, further expanding the company's presence in Colombia.

For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, or contact AmaWaterways on 1800 867 126 (AU) or 0800 005 636 (NZ) or visit amawaterways.au or amawaterways.nz.

About AmaWaterways

Family-owned and operated for 23 years, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 31 custom-designed ships sailing Europe's major rivers; Southeast Asia's Mekong River; Africa's Chobe River; Egypt's Nile River and Colombia's Magdalena River. Co-founded by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, the company was recently voted “Best River Cruise Line” by the world's leading cruise reviews site Cruise Critic, and is renowned for its warm and welcoming crew; innovative and sustainable ship design; wellness activities (including a wide choice of included small group shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options that also earned the line a “Best for Active Cruisers” distinction by Cruise Critic); and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with complimentary fine wine. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, most AmaWaterways ships welcome an average of just 150 guests and feature onboard amenities such as a stunning Main Lounge, specialty Chef's Table restaurant, hair and massage salons, Sun Deck walking track and heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travellers and families, as well as group and charter options. In 2024, AmaWaterways elevated its commitment to the Australian and New Zealand travel trade by establishing a local presence in Sydney to serve the market's burgeoning interest in luxury river cruising.