AmaWaterways Plans for 50+ Ships by 2032
by Dori Saltzman
AmaWaterways’ expansion plans include a second ship on the Chobe River in Africa. Photo: AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is planning its most ambitious expansion in its history, with plans to grow its global fleet to more than 50 ships by 2032, including 15 news ships in Europe and more than 60% capacity growth in Africa and Asia.
This builds on a fleet of 31 ships currently in operation, with three new ships already announced for 2027 across the Rhine, Danube, and Mekong rivers.
In Europe, AmaWaterways had already confirmed eight news ships and is now adding seven more, including one in Portugal on the Douro River. The company is also strengthening its presence in Africa with one additional ship on the Chobe River and two new ships on the Nile in Egypt, with one set to debut this year.
“Our expansion reflects strong demand across both our established and emerging markets,” said Catherine Powell, CEO of AmaWaterways. “River cruising is on a clear growth trajectory, and we are investing with purpose, expanding our global footprint while continuing to elevate the experience for our guests and our travel partners.”
“Beyond Europe, we’re growing 60%, which is huge,” AmaWaterways’ manager of public relations Cléo Espérandieu told TMR at last week’s Seatrade conference. “We feel like that’s where a lot of the interest is, is in the exotics, especially for the people that have traveled Europe quite a lot. They want to see something else.”
A selection of the new ships now on order includes:
- AmaNubia: Debuting in September 2026 on the Nile river with 38 staterooms
- AmaRudi: Debuting in 2027 as the line’s second double-wide ship on the Danube, accommodating 196 guests across 98 staterooms
- AmaMaya: Launching in 2027 on the Mekong River, featuring 60 staterooms
- AmaFiora: Debuting in 2027 on the Rhine, following the design and layout of the AmaSofia, with 76 staterooms
- AmaClara: Debuting in 2028 on the Rhône in France, following the design and layout of the AmaKristina, with 76 staterooms
- AmaGaia: Debuting in 2028 on the Douro River
- AmaCleo: Debuting in 2028 on the Nile River with 38 staterooms
