AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys Announce Alliance to Offer Co-Branded River Cruises
Calabasas, CA, February 2025 – AmaWaterways, the award-winning river cruise line known for immersive cultural experiences, is proud to announce an alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution and a leader in authentic and enriching small-group travel. Beginning in April 2026, select European river cruises will feature exclusive Smithsonian-crafted experiences, drawing on the Smithsonian’s 175+ year history as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. These itineraries will include notable Smithsonian Journeys experts and offer opportunities for local immersion and discovery. This collaboration reflects AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys’ shared commitment to inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Thirty-three departures exploring some of the most breathtaking and historic rivers of Europe, including the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, and Rhone, will debut in 2026, with each providing exclusive excursions and opportunities to engage with a variety of experts, ranging from art historians, archaeologists and scientists to anthropologists, historians and more. All departures feature an assortment of pre- and post-cruise land packages, hosted by an AmaWaterways cruise manager, for guests to explore further beyond the cruise itinerary.
“What sets AmaWaterways apart is our commitment to creating truly immersive experiences,” said Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president of AmaWaterways. “Our goal is to go beyond simply seeing destinations—we want our guests to connect with the places we visit. By combining our expertise in river cruising with Smithsonian’s dedication to cultural and educational exploration, we offer travelers a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into local history, traditions and ways of life, all while enjoying the exceptional comfort and service aboard our ships.”
“We are excited to bring the Smithsonian experience to the great rivers of Europe aboard the ships of AmaWaterways,” said Walter Littlejohn III, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys. “Our dedication to lifelong learning and passion for exploring the world drives us to continually develop authentic, enriching experiences for travelers. These trips provide a bevy of new options for intellectually curious travelers to indulge in the rich history and cultures of countries such as Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and more through the unique lens of the Smithsonian.”
This alliance with Smithsonian Journey’s further solidifies the river cruise line’s commitment to delivering deeply immersive and enriching experiences, both on board 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, high-quality Wi-Fi, a Wellness Program with a variety of host-led fitness classes, airport transfers, and much more.
These new river cruise journeys, which range from eight to 15 days in duration, are available to book beginning Feb. 5 by visiting www.amawaterways.com/smithsonian-journeys or calling 1.800.626.0126.
The 2026 departures include:
Holland and Belgium in Spring: A River Cruise at Tulip Time
April 4–11, April 9–16, April 12–19, April 16–23, 2026
Eight days starting from $3,949 per person double occupancy.
Guests can surround themselves with spring blossoms and fabulous art and architecture on a river cruise through Holland and Belgium timed to coincide with the annual tulip bloom. They 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, Sept. 7–14, Oct. 5–12, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,449 per person double occupancy.
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, Sept. 14–21, Oct. 12–19, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,449 per person double occupancy.
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, Sept. 7–21, Oct. 5–19, 2026
15 days starting from $7,799 per person double occupancy.
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
Dec. 5–12, Dec. 10–19, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,249 per person double occupancy.
Guests can savor the timeless holiday traditions of Central Europe as they cruise the Danube through Germany, Austria and Hungary, discovering delightful Christmas markets in world-class cities like Vienna and Budapest as well in charming towns and palaces from Regensburg to Salzburg.
Christmas Markets along the Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
Nov. 28–Dec. 5, Dec. 12–19, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,349 per person double occupancy.
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 that sparkle with holiday spirit.
The Captivating Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
May 14–21, June 20–27, July 18–25, Sept. 26–Oct. 3, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,449 per person double occupancy.
Cruising the Rhine River from one fascinating 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.
Europe’s Magnificent Waterways: Cruising the Rhine, Main, and Danube River
May 30–June 13, 2026
15 days starting from $7,499 per person double occupancy.
An unforgettable cruise will sail three of Europe’s grand rivers—the Rhine, the Main and the Danube—from the canals of Amsterdam to the majestic heart of Budapest. Along the way, guests can enjoy local cuisine, history and a host of World Heritage sites.
Cruising Portugal’s Enticing Douro River Valley
May 8–15, June 9–16, Sept. 4–11, Sept. 25–Oct. 2, Oct. 13–20, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,949 per person double occupancy.
Setting sail from the World Heritage-listed city of Porto, guests can discover the spectacular 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 beautiful Salamanca, Spain; and enjoy tastings at historic wine estates.
Rhône River Cruise: Colors of Provence
May 21–28, July 16–23, Oct. 8–15, 2026
Eight days starting from $4,949 per person double occupancy.
The delightful ambience of Provence on a river cruise from the heart of Lyon to Arles will feature magnificent 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, Sept. 3–10, Sept. 24–Oct. 1, 2026
Eight days starting from $5,049 per person double occupancy.
Starting from the heart of Paris on the fabled River Seine, the cruise will wind through the glorious countryside of Normandy to the English Channel. Along the way, passengers can explore historic sites from Rouen to Omaha Beach, savor the region’s proud culinary traditions and trace the footsteps of great artists from Claude Monet to Josephine Baker.
Taste of Bordeaux: Cruising the Waterways of Southwest France
Oct. 1–8, 2026
Eight days starting from $5,049 per person double occupancy.
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 exquisite local wines and cuisine.
Full details are available here (www.amawaterways.com/smithsonian-journeys).
For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.
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 (2025). 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); 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 travelers and families, as well as group and charter options. www.amawaterways.com
Smithsonian Journeys is a global leader in cultural travel for diverse audiences, offering unique, expert-led trips on all seven continents. In addition to river cruises, Smithsonian Journeys offers small-group land journeys, small-ship exploration cruises, active journeys, cultural stays, private jet trips, tailor-made journeys for the independent traveler and student travel programs. Smithsonian Journeys is part of Smithsonian Enterprises, a division of the Smithsonian that oversees the Institution’s commercial activities, including the Smithsonian Channel; the retail operation, which includes 35 museum and airport stores and food concessions; Smithsonian magazine, which reaches more than 8 million monthly readers; Smithsonianstore.com, an E-Commerce business; consumer and education licensing; and books. For more information, visit www.SmithsonianJourneys.org or call 855-330-1542.
Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers and libraries. Two of the 21 museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—are in the early planning stages. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Share Future, which began in 2018 in a quiet phase, was publicly launched in September 2024 with a goal of $2.5 billion. There are more than 6,200 Smithsonian employees and 3,800 volunteers. The total number of objects works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 157 million, of which nearly 148 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History. www.si.edu.
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