25/08/2026
2028 is open – and there’s a LOT to be excited about!
I know 2028 might sound a long way away, but we also know how far ahead Australians and New Zealanders plan their European holidays – particularly when they have a specific ship, itinerary or stateroom in mind.
AmaWaterways has now opened reservations for our 2028 season, and for me, what’s exciting isn’t simply that we’re growing. It’s where we’re growing and the additional ways we’re giving our guests to experience Europe.
Two new ships will join the fleet in 2028:
🚢 AmaMaria will join us on the Rhine, featuring 76 staterooms and following the design and layout of AmaFiora.
🇵🇹 And AmaGaia will join AmaVida, AmaDouro and AmaSintra on Portugal’s Douro River.
Portugal continues to be an incredibly strong destination for AmaWaterways, and I think having four ships on the Douro really demonstrates the demand we are seeing for this beautiful part of Europe. The Douro offers something quite different from many of Europe's other rivers – spectacular scenery, wonderful food and wine, and of course the opportunity to combine the cruise with time in Lisbon, Porto and beyond.
And this is where another part of the 2028 announcement gets particularly interesting – our land packages.
I often think our pre- and post-cruise land packages don't get talked about enough. We already have some fantastic options that allow guests to turn their river cruise into a much bigger European journey. Rather than having to piece everything together themselves, guests can add carefully planned stays before or after their cruise – with accommodation, excursions and transfers taken care of.
In 2028, we're adding even more.
New land package options will include Krakow, Nuremberg, Basel, Luxembourg, Brussels, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Dijon and Porto.
One that particularly stands out is the new three-night Krakow extension following our Best of the Danube itinerary, which includes a Krakow city tour with Schindler's Factory and a full-day Auschwitz excursion.
We'll also introduce new two-night stays in Lyon, Aix-en-Provence and Dijon, plus a new Porto package – another great addition to our already strong Portugal offering.
France gets something new as well, with our Elegance of Burgundy & Provence itinerary. Sailing the Rhône and Saône during July and August, the 10- and 11-night journeys have been designed with more time in port. I love this idea – sometimes seeing more isn't about visiting more places. It's about having more time to properly experience the places you're already visiting.
With AmaNubia joining us later this year, followed by AmaMaya, AmaFiora, AmaRudi and AmaCleo in 2027, and now AmaMaria and AmaGaia in 2028, we'll reach 38 ships worldwide.
That's significant growth – but importantly, it's growth that gives our travel advisor partners more choice and more ways to put together an amazing holiday for their clients.
And for anyone who thinks 2028 is too early to start talking about… you'd be surprised how many travellers already know exactly where they want to go next!
For bookings secured by 30 September 2026, Australian guests can save up to AU$3,750 per stateroom. And remember – even when booking this far ahead, final payment isn't due until 90 days before the journey begins.
So… where would you choose for 2028? 🇵🇹🇫🇷🇩🇪🇨🇭 Decisions, decisions!
#2028
Picture is a render of the AmaRudi starting in 2027.
