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AmaWaterways has announced 42 new departures for 2027 in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys. Eleven itineraries showcasing Europe’s rivers—including the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhône—will launch in 2026 and return in 2027. Another highlight is a captivating voyage along the winding Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. Each journey features excursions and enriching opportunities to engage with a diverse array of experts, from art historians and archeologists to scientists, anthropologists, and more. All departures include a selection of optional pre- and post-cruise land packages, hosted by an AmaWaterways cruise manager, allowing guests to delve into the cultural and historical richness of each destination.
Highlights of the 2027 departures include:
- “Grand Waterways of France: Cruising Normandy, Burgundy, and Provence” (April 22–May 6, August 26–September 9, October 7–21, 2027) – The cruise begins in Paris, heading west along the Seine to the shores of Normandy and returns by way of Monet’s home in Giverny. Travelers will travel overland to Dijon where their second ship awaits to bring them down the Saône through Burgundy, where wine tastings, picturesque river towns and architectural marvels await. From Vieux Lyon, they will sail the Rhône south through Ardèche to Provence, where sunlit, pastel-colored towns have drawn generations of artists.
- “Along the Mekong: Charms of Vietnam and Cambodia” (January 1–25, February 15–22, November 1–8, 2027) – In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Phnom Penh and Hanoi, guests will encounter historic sites set amid the bustle of modern-day life. They will ply the legendary Mekong River on a seven-night cruise, sailing through timeless scenes of rice fields, floating markets and farming hamlets, and venture to less-traveled towns and villages to meet with silk weavers and rice farmers and gain insight into life along one of Asia’s vital waterways.
- “Holland and Belgium in Spring: A River Cruise at Tulip Time” (April 4–11, April 9–16, April 12–19, April 16–23, 2026; New dates: April 8–15, April 10–17, April 15–22, April 22–29, 2027) – Passengers will sail out of Amsterdam on a seven-night cruise, discovering historic windmills, medieval trading towns and vibrant modern-day cities, and encounter millions of brilliant tulips at the incredible Keukenhof Gardens.
- “Cruising the Upper Danube: Romantic Ports from Bavaria to Budapest” (May 18–25, June 15–22, September 7–14, October 5–12, 2026; New dates: May 17–24, June 14–21, September 6–13, October 4–11, 2027) – The cruise will follow the Danube from southern Germany to Hungary, passing through three culturally rich Central European capitals: Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Along the way, there will be stops at World Heritage Sites such as Salzburg and the Wachau Valley and opportunities to experience vibrant traditions of music and art.
- “Cruising the Lower Danube: Gems of Southeast Europe” (May 25–June 1, June 22–29, September 14–21, October 12–19, 2026; New dates: May 24–31, June 21–28, September 13–20, October 12–19, 2027) – Passengers can venture to some of Europe’s hidden delights as they sail the Danube from Hungary through the Balkan Peninsula to Romania. They can discover little-known World Heritage Sites, traditions of art and cuisine, and explore vivacious cities from Belgrade to Bucharest.
- “The Grand Danube: A River Cruise from Germany to Romania” (May 18–June 1, June 15–29, September 7–21, October 5–19, 2026; New dates: May 17–31, June 14–28, September 6–20, October 4–18, 2027) – Sailing the historic Danube River on a grand voyage through eight countries, passengers will visit the splendid world capitals of Budapest and Vienna as well as lesser-known historic gems from Croatia to Bulgaria. A choice of excursions will offer opportunities to experience local traditions of art, music and cuisine.
- “Christmas Markets along the Danube: A River Cruise from Nuremburg to Budapest” (December 5–12, December 10–19, 2026; New dates: December 1–8, December 4–19, 2027) – Guests can savor the holiday traditions of Central Europe as they cruise the Danube through Germany, Austria and Hungary, discovering Christmas markets in cities such as Vienna and Budapest, and in charming towns and palaces from Regensburg to Salzburg.
- “Christmas Markets along the Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel” (November 28–December 5, December 12–19, 2026; New dates: December 4–11, December 5–12, 2027) – Passengers will experience the enchantment of some of Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets on a cruise through Holland, Germany and France that features visits to Strasbourg and Cologne as well as medieval towns and villages.
- “The Captivating Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel” (May 14–21, June 20–27, July 18–25, September 26–October 3, 2026; New dates: May 26–June 2, June 19–26, July 10–17, September 25–October 2, 2027) – Cruising the Rhine River from one city to the next and discovering medieval villages, guests will discover wine regions and culinary delights as they make their way from the Netherlands to Germany and France.
- “Cruising Portugal’s Enticing Douro River Valley” (May 8–15, June 9–16, September 4–11, September 25–October 2, October 13–20, 2026; New dates: May 7–14, June 4–11, September 17–24, October 1–8, October 15–22, 2027) – Setting sail from the World Heritage-listed city of Porto, guests can discover the landscapes of Portugal’s Douro River Valley, where wines have been produced for some 2,000 years. They will visit picturesque villages and palaces, spend a day in Spain’s Salamanca, and enjoy tastings at historic wine estates.
- “Rhône River Cruise: Colors of Provence” (May 21–28, July 16–23, October 8–15, 2026; New dates: May 20–27, October 7–14, October 21–28, 2027) – The delightful ambience of Provence on a river cruise from the heart of Lyon to Arles will feature historic sites from the Roman Pont Du Gard to the Papal Palace in Avignon, culinary tours and visits to renowned wine regions and the stunning gorges of Ardèche.
- “Along the Seine: A River Cruise from Paris to Normandy” (May 14–21, September 3–10, September 24–October 1, 2026; New dates: May 13–20, September 23–30, October 14–21, 2027) – Starting from the heart of Paris on the Seine River, the cruise will wind through the countryside of Normandy to the English Channel. Along the way, passengers can explore historic sites from Rouen to Omaha Beach, savor the region’s dishes and trace the footsteps of great artists from Claude Monet to Josephine Baker.
- “Taste of Bordeaux: Cruising the Waterways of Southwest France” (October 1–8, 2026; New date: September 30–October 7, 2027) – An enchanting voyage through Bordeaux and its picturesque wine regions will offer opportunities to explore charming towns and historic sites from Cadillac to Dordogne and savor local wines and cuisine.
This alliance with Smithsonian Journeys further solidifies AmaWaterways’ commitment to delivering immersive and enriching experiences, both onboard and during shore excursions. 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, daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour, a variety of small group excursions, Wi-Fi, a Wellness Program with a variety of host-led fitness classes, airport transfers, and more.
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