I'm building a small group to sail AmaWaterways down Colombia's Magdalena River in 2027 or 2028. I love this line. I love this country. I'd love for you to be on the boat.
I'll be straight with you — this one is a little selfish. I love AmaWaterways. I sailed AmaReina down the Danube in November 2024, and the conversion was complete by day three: the family ownership you feel in the small things, the food, the steward who learned my routine by the second morning. And I love Colombia — the country I keep telling people is having its moment right before the rest of the world catches on. In 2025 AmaWaterways became the first luxury river cruise line to sail Colombia's Magdalena. The moment I saw the itinerary, I wanted to go. So I'm building a group. Come with me.
This is genuinely early, and I want to be honest about that: I'm gauging interest now to see whether there are enough of us to lock a 2027 or 2028 departure. No deposit, no commitment — just your name on a list so I know who's in. The more hands go up, the faster this becomes real.
What we'd be joining
The shape of the sailing.
60
Guests on AmaMagdalena
9
Custom excursion boats
First
Luxury line on the river
2027–28
The departure window
What we'd be sailing
The Magdalena is Colombia's spine — a thousand miles of river that carried the country's history and then sat quiet for decades while Colombia found its footing. AmaWaterways built two 60-guest ships for it, AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, plus nine custom excursion boats that slip into the side-channels a river ship can't reach. Cartagena bookends the sailing — two nights in the walled colonial city on each end. In between: birding (Colombia has more bird species than any country on earth), vallenato drifting out of the river towns, and García Márquez country — the Magdalena runs right past Aracataca, where Macondo was born.
If you've sailed AmaWaterways in Europe, this is the line you already trust doing something completely unexpected. If you've never set foot on a river ship, this is a lovely first one — small, food-forward, unhurried. Either way, I'll be aboard the whole way. Want the full picture of the product? My AmaWaterways Magdalena page walks the ships, the river, and the season.
Before and after the river — three cities, if you want them
The river is the trip. But Colombia rewards bookends, and I'd build optional extensions for anyone who wants them.
Cartagena — where the sailing begins.
The walled colonial city on the Caribbean: cobblestones, pastel facades, five centuries of history, and the best sunset in the country from the old city walls. Two nights here are built into the sailing — stay longer if you can.
Medellín — the transformation story.
The city of eternal spring: cable cars over hillside neighborhoods, Comuna 13, and a food scene that grew up alongside the safety. A few days before or after is the easiest add-on.
Bogotá — the high-altitude culture capital.
The Gold Museum, the Botero collection, La Candelaria's old town, and the best ajiaco of your life. Where Colombia's food revolution actually started.
Add your name — let's see if we've got a group
If you've read this far, you're probably a yes. Add your name below — that's the whole ask. The more hands go up, the faster this becomes a real departure.
