AmaWaterways Expand Soulful Experiences for 2025 and 2026 – Offering New Sailings on the Rhine and Mekong Rivers

Guests celebrate Kwanzaa and its seven principles on two sailings

 

Calabasas, CA, February 2025 – The continued popularity of AmaWaterways’ Soulful sailings – unique to the award-winning, luxury river cruise line – has allowed for an expansion of the offerings for 2025 and 2026. Joining the 2025 line up (already stellar with cruises in Egypt, France, Colombia and Portugal) is the Best of Holland & Belgium. This is the first Soulful Experience that includes the celebrations of Kwanza and New Year’s, sailing round-trip from Amsterdam on December 27, 2025. In 2026 there are three additional sailings, with two as new Soulful itineraries, added to the already scheduled France and Egypt offerings. Enticing Douro, first done in 2025, is on June 13, and the two new ones are Riches of the Mekong on October 11 and the Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas on Dec 15.

 

Every Soulful Experience sailing presents genuine experiences and excursions that celebrate Black heritage and culture with select excursions and experiences. Complementing AmaWaterways’ renowned warm and personalized onboard service, as well as locally inspired dining, guests can anticipate nightly entertainment while surrounded by fellow travelers who share their enthusiasm for uncovering Black culture.

 

Fares mentioned are inclusive of special saving offers and are based upon availability. A dedicated Soulful webinar for travel advisors, hosted by Soulful expert, AmaWaterways Senior Director Jazzmine Douse, will be available on AmaWaterways Travel Advisor Portal.

 

2025

Best of Holland & Belgium

This new-for-2025 seven-night Soulful Experience on AmaStella is unique-among-the-unique of Soulful cruises as it spans the holidays of Kwanzaa and New Year’s. Guests celebrate Kwanzaa with daily themes honoring Kwanzaa’s seven principles, nightly Kinara candle-lighting ceremonies, and cultural programming including an Amsterdam cultural tour. Other excursion highlights include the island metropolis of Hellevoetsluis and its medieval harbor town, iconic working De Hoop windmill and charming wharf houses, exploring the castles and unique architecture of Brussels and the culinary delights of Antwerp. An optional two-night pre-cruise in Amsterdam is also available. The December 27, 2025 sailing has fares starting at USA $3,039 and CAD $4,117 per person, double, with the Holiday Triple Savings offer through March 31, 2025.

 

2026

Enticing Douro

The timing of this Soulful Experience (June 13 to June 23) allows for the celebration of Juneteenth (June 19) with a host of themed events and programing. The cruise kicks off with three nights in Lisbon, a city that was home to a significant population of free Africans and was the site of Europe’s first African neighborhood. The seven-night sailing along Portugal’s Douro River on board the 102-passenger AmaDouro, where guests are treated to exclusive Brazilian and African food tastings and authentic Portuguese cuisine and port wines during two shoreside dinners at local wine estates, known as quintas. All while taking in the mournful sounds of fado music. Fares start at USA $4,949 and CAD $6,522.

 

Riches of the Mekong

Running from October 11 to 25 this sailing includes one of AmaWaterways’ newest land extension – the four-night Central Vietnam Land Extension where Soulful guests enjoy a deep dive into some of the country’s most intriguing regions. The sailing focuses on Vietnam and Cambodia’s connections to Black history as the AmaDara sails along the Mekong River. Adding to the cruise are the land highlights: two days in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An and the opportunity to do a hands-on Vietnamese cuisine cooking class; a stop at the renowned Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang, and two days in Hue, for a royal dinner at Ancient Hue, and visits to the awe-inspiring tomb of Emperor Ming Mang, Hue Historic Citadel, the Thien Mu (Heaven Fairy Lady) Pagoda and the Khai Dinh Tomb. All coupled with one pre-cruise night in Temple-rich city of Siem Reap and two post-cruise nights in Vietnam’s vibrant and culturally rich city of Ho Chi Minh. Limited time Fares start at USA $5,032 and CAD $6,744.

 

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas

This Christmas Markets cruise with Kwanzaa celebrations starts on December 15 with the seven-night Basel to Amsterdam cruise that offers a host of Black cultural connections along the Rhine River route, before ending with two nights post cruise in Amsterdam where guests enjoy an Amsterdam cultural tour and more. Other highlights along AmaVenita’s route include France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and open-air wine gardens, and the Christmas Market of Drosselgasse, the cultural heart of Rüdesheim. All along the river are towns and villages brimming with beautiful decor, glittering Christmas trees and holiday spirit. Prices begin at USA $4,299 and CAD $6,071 during the Triple Holiday Savings event through March 31.

 

For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise for a client, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com. 

 

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 (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