Senior Sailor Says:
AmaWaterways is a luxury river cruise plying the waters of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Columbia. I sailed with AmaWaterways on the Danube River from Amsterdam during Holland’s Tulip Time. The ships are beautiful, the food exceptional, and the personnel kind, friendly, and professional.
The cruise line added four new itineraries this year to celebrate the Black community’s heritage, traditions, and cultures in international destinations rich with African history.
Every Soulful Experience sailing presents genuine experiences and excursions that honor Black history and heritage, including locally inspired dining and guests can anticipate nightly entertainment while surrounded by fellow travelers who share their enthusiasm for uncovering Black culture.
Secrets of Egypt & The Nile is an 11-night sailing departing Cairo on May 14, 2025, offering guests an exceptional journey of discovery.
The program begins with three nights in Cairo, where guests will tour the Egyptian Museum (featuring King Tut’s treasures), the Alabaster Mosque, and the ancient pyramids of Memphis. The exploration continues to Luxor for a seven-night Nile cruise aboard the luxurious 72-passenger AmaDahlia. Stops in Edfu, Aswan, Esna, Kom Ombo, and Qena allow for exclusive access to the tomb of Queen Nefertari on a private tour, a private lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace, and a visit to a Nubian village where the people who live there carry on the traditions of their ancient African roots, considered one of the earliest cradles of civilization. Daily tours and onboard experiences illuminate the rich African history of the region and its culinary delights.
The Colors of Provence, France, has a rich history of Black culture, art, and history, and AmaWaterways’ 10-night cruise, sailing on August 21, 2025, opens the doors to much of it.
The award-winning AmaKristina cruises from Arles to Lyon before spending three nights in Paris, a city steeped in the history of famous Black artists, writers, and entertainers. In Avignon, guests visit the Blachère Foundation, which promotes the contemporary creation of artists from Africa and its diaspora, a truffle farm in Viviers, and Roman ruins in Vienne. They also partake in an evening wine and chocolate experience, jazz performance, steam train ride, and a tasting tour at Lyon’s Les Halles Market.
Highlights in Paris include the Arc de Triomphe, the Monument to the Abolition of Slavery, and insights into the Code Noir (the decree that defined the conditions of slavery conducted until 1789). Guests explore Montmartre’s jazz roots, visit Little Africa in La Goutte d’or, and end with the Latin Quarter and Pantheon Square’s tribute to Josephine Baker from 2021.
Guests sailing the Douro River visit Lisbon, which has a rich history of African and Black presence. The city was home to a significant population of free Africans, played a key role in the transatlantic slave trade, and was the site of Europe’s first African neighborhood. AmaWaterways’ 10-night Enticing Douro departing November 14, 2025 includes three nights in Lisbon followed by a seven-night sailing along Portugal’s Douro River on board the 102-passenger AmaSintra.
The Douro is known for some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery, great wines and foods, and friendly people. In Lisbon, guests tour the “City of Seven Hills” and the Royal Sintra—Portugal’s best-preserved medieval royal residence. Along the journey, guests enjoy exclusive Brazilian and African food tastings, 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.
Magic of Colombia features a rich and complex Black history, defined by the interplay of slavery, resistance, and cultural preservation. Cartagena, the heart of this history, is the last port of call of AmaWaterways’ seven-night Magic of Colombia sailing on the Magdalena River.
Colombia and the 60-guest AmaMagdalena are new for AmaWaterways in 2025, so guests on this October 18, 2025 sailing will be among the first to take in the rich history and culture of this often-overlooked part of the world.
Every day is an education of Latin American musical styles, including cumbia and vallenato, and exciting performances at a colorful Carnaval in Barranquilla (AmaWaterways exclusive). Stops in Nueva Venecia, Santa Barbara de Ponto, Mompox, El Banco, and Calamar offer tours of stilt houses, jazz street performances, exploration of Cienága Pijiño (known for its diverse bird life), and a tour of Getsemaní – a colorful neighborhood in Cartagena, known for its street art, bars, restaurants, and cafes.
I would love to sail on any one of these fun and educational cruises.
For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package call 1.800.626.0126 or click here.
I’ve never taken a river cruise, but your post has inspired me to look more closely.
You will love it! I have been on several, and the experience has always been positive!