Everything Travel Advisors Need to Know About AmaWaterways’ Colombia River Cruises

One of the most anticipated developments in river cruising, AmaWaterways’ Magdalena River cruise offering in Colombia is still a relatively unknown product for most travel advisors. With the first year of cruises pretty much sold out (from April 2025 through spring 2026), there was no room for travel advisors or media to get onboard.

By the time TMR got onboard in June 2026, and even having covered the ship and itinerary announcements since the beginning, we still weren’t sure of what to expect. Advisors onboard our sailing felt the same way, adding they have been unable to properly advise their clients on how to get the most out of a Magdalena River cruise because the intricacies of the product is still mostly unknown.

As space is opening up on the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia – our AmaMelodia sailing was only 50% booked and there were several advisors onboard taking advantage of FAM rates – we are finally getting a clearer picture of the Magdalena River and the AmaWaterways’ fleet that plies the river.

To help you qualify which clients are best suited for a Magdalena River cruise, as well as advise them on how to prepare for and get the most out of their cruise, TMR has compiled a list of everything travel advisors need to know AmaWaterways’ Colombia river cruises.

1. It’s History Making

It’s not enough that AmaMagdalena became the first passenger ship to operate on the Magdalena River in more than 50 years when it debuted in April 2025. What’s more significant is that the presence of the two-ship fleet – and AmaWaterways’ belief in the destination – is giving Colombia the chance to dramatically alter its reputation and finally move on from its violent past.

“We never had the chance to have a river cruise of this kind before, and we never thought that we will be having one,” said Andres Cubillos, one of the Cruise Managers who works onboard AmaMelodia. “The fact that we can finally have this kind of tourism, exploring these territories is a milestone in our history.”

Cubillos, who has been with AmaWaterways in Colombia since 2024, made it clear from day one of the cruise that TMR was onboard, that he and all of Colombia’s tourism industry is aware of what the rest of the world thinks about the country. He knows that when a guest coming with AmaWaterways to the Magdalena River tells their friends and family where they’re going that they will get raised eyebrows. That someone will ask, “Is it safe?”

He, and the rest of the crew onboard are effusive in their gratitude that they finally have the chance to show people “their Colombia.”

“These communities are really happy to be seen, to be explored. That’s what we want… to make them visible to the rest of the world.”

2. It’s Immersive

There is no moment during an AmaWaterways Magdalena River cruise that guests might forget they’re in Colombia. From the ship’s interior designs to the all-Colombian crew to the South American-influenced dining menu to the lush banana fields and colorful villages lining the river, the entire experience is fully immersive.

Guests will hear Spanish spoken – even on the ship, where not all the crew speak English.

They’ll be introduced to the palenquero language before their visit to the town of Palenque so they can greet the Afro-Colombian locals in their native language.

They’ll be encouraged to dance the cumbia, Colombia’s national dance and learn how to play the drums.

They’ll even be asked to participate in pineapple loading, where crew line the ship starting at the dock, up the stairs, and into the lounge, tossing pineapples from person to person to stock up for the next day’s Caribbean-themed breakfast.

All of it this – and more – is part of the cultural exchange that is key to making a Magdalena River cruise so enriching – and joyful.

For clients who prefer their travel experiences to “exotic” destinations in bite-sized chunks, an AmaWaterways cruise on the Magdalena might be too intense.

Yes, a finicky eater could have grilled chicken, a steak, or a cheeseburger every night for dinner, but they’d be missing out on a huge piece of the experience by skipping the local dishes. Or, if they can’t be bothered to try and learn a few words in Spanish or Palenquero (a Spanish-based Creole language spoken by many Afro-Colombians), they’ll miss out on the giant smiles their words elicit.

“Be open-minded and open your heart and you will be rewarded,” Cubillos told TMR, when we asked what advice he’d give travel advisors to pass on to their clients.

3. It’s Not Shiny

Part of what makes an AmaWaterways cruise along the Magdalena River so immersive is its authenticity. A word that’s tossed around too often in the travel industry, AmaWaterways makes it real by taking passengers to small towns and areas of interest that are at the start of their tourism journey.

These are not built-up, shiny tourist traps. These are places where the tourist infrastructure is still being built. In some places, there’s no actual dock. In others, streets are unpaved, rutted, and muddy. In several of the towns, there are no souvenir shops, no shot glasses, no t-shirts sold two for $20.

Chris Parker, of Preferred Travel Partners, who sailed on an early voyage of the AmaMagdalena, called the experience “unspoiled.”

“Any river cruise client looking for a unique and unspoiled experience,” is a great prospect for the Magdalena River, he said.

AmaWaterways identified villages along the river with rich histories or where traditional trades are not only still practiced, they’re also the lifeblood of the villagers.

Clients won’t just see how fishing nets are made, they’ll see the fisherman in action.  When the nets are pulled up, the fisherman will proudly display what they caught and hand clients a fish to hold if they want.

Similarly, they won’t just learn how tobacco is grown, they’ll be given the chance to roll their own cigar and the tobacco farmer will be thrilled if someone takes the time to smoke it with him.

These aren’t actors playing a role or bored teenagers trying to make extra money on their summer break. These are real people full of pride for their way of life and thrilled to share it.

Some clients might find this authenticity off-putting. It isn’t always clean. And it isn’t necessarily pretty. Not all clients want to be reminded that much of the rest of the world lives in less comfort than they do. 

It’s important for travel advisors to know their clients and understand what they might find uncomfortable.

4. The People Are the Difference Maker

A cruise on the Magdalena River is a rich experience full of history, culture, and wildlife, but what most guests take away from the trip are their memories of the Colombian people.

Of the city guide in Mompox – the self-proclaimed “King of Mompox” – whose pride in his city is tangible. Of the people lining the river, waving as the ship sails by their village. Of the fisherman who bashfully told everyone he hopes to win his village’s net throwing competition later this year. Of the bashful smiles of children who test out their English with a shy “hello.”

Cubillos told TMR he hopes that what guests take away from a Magdalena River cruise are these interactions.

“We have beautiful landscapes, but I want them to take away the smiles, the people, that they feel welcome in all the territories… I want them to take that back, all the people that waved, all the kids…”

And it’s not just the people off the ship who leave a mark.

Guests will remember the warmth of the crew, who treat everyone onboard as extended family. (Never before have we hugged a waitress good-bye, but there was no way we couldn’t have on this sailing.)

“It’s not like the typical cruise, where you may or may not have that warmth, that family. But the people just made it so much [more],” Dawn Chavis, owner of Travel Time Cruises, told TMR at the end of our seven-day sailing.

Chavis loved the crew onboard our AmaMelodia sailing so much, she found out their schedule (crew stay together as a group and rotate on and off every two weeks), so that she can try and book most sailings with them.

5. It’s a Birder’s Paradise

While history, people, and culture dominate the Magdalena River cruise experience, the wildlife is equally impressive and omnipresent, particularly the bird life. Colombia actually boasts the highest number of bird species of any country in the world, representing nearly 20% of all bird species, including more than 80 species found only in the country.

We had not expected the density of bird life and did not bring either our binoculars or “real” camera that we normally bring on an expedition cruise. That was a mistake. Whether on a bird-watching excursion or just sitting on our balcony, both would have come in handy as birds are simply everywhere.

“Anybody that loves birding,” will love the Magdalena River, Chavis told us, adding that her absolute favorite excursion of the entire cruise was the sunrise bird watching in the La Mojana wetlands.

6. It’s Got an Expedition Feel to It

Speaking of the abundance of wildlife along the Magdalena River, clients who have been on an expedition cruise before will see some similarities on one of these AmaWaterways cruises.

Beyond birds, guests might spot lizards, caimans, and monkeys – not to mention the domestic water buffalo that frequent the shallows. Much of this wildlife is spotted during boat excursions. While not Zodiac-style boats, these small excursion boats nevertheless bring cruisers into smaller channels the ships can’t go, making wildlife spotting easier.

The cadence of a day on the Magdalena River is also similar to expedition cruises. Up early for a morning expedition, then back to the ship for lunch and a rest, before a late afternoon excursion. (Not all days have two excursions, but several do.)

The similarities are close enough that Chavis told us she thinks past Galapagos clients in particular are a perfect prospect for an AmaWaterways Magdalena River cruise.

7. It’s Hot

This might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. Colombia has an equatorial climate. It is hot and it is humid. There will be sweating. It’s unavoidable.

Your clients should be reminded to bring not only sunscreen, but also electrolyte powder because dehydration is a real possibility. We also found a handheld fan helped, while other guests had neck fans they relied on.

This is another feature of these cruises that should be pre-qualified for. Not all travelers do well in these climates – even if they can cool off once onboard. (My father, for instance, would have been miserable on this cruise, most likely staying onboard and missing out on all the excursions.)

It’s important to know what your clients can and can’t tolerate when it comes to hot, sticky weather.

8. Cartagena to Barranquilla Is Best

TMR sailed a “Wonders of Colombia” itinerary that departed Cartagena and ended in Barranquilla. The “Magic of Colombia” itinerary goes in reverse. After having experienced the former, we can comfortably recommend prioritizing the “Wonders of the Colombia” option.

With the full itinerary completed by the time the sailing ends in Barranquilla with the Carnival performance, guests have the full context of what the country is about. They understand the Afro-Colombian history. They understand the dances that are on display. They recognize the music and the costumes (especially if they chose the Barranquilla Carnaval Museum tour excursion on Barranquilla day.)

The Carnival (Carnaval in Spanish) is a perfect summary of everything guests have seen, heard, and experienced.

Going in the other direction, Cubillos said, guests are told the Carnival is a preview of everything they’ll get to learn about and experience. But there’s no context, so while it’s fun and exciting, we have to imagine it doesn’t really mean anything.

“I think it’s better in this direction,” Chavis affirmed. “Starting with Cartagena, you build up into the Carnaval here.”

9. It Requires Expectation Setting

If you’re receiving inquiries about AmaWaterways’ Colombia product from past Ama clients, you’ll want to set some expectations before booking them on a sailing.

First of all, the ships are nothing like what your clients will have experienced on a European river cruise. Both the AmaMagdalena and the AmaMeldodia are small – no more than 54 passengers – with just three decks. That means there’s only one restaurant and one lounge.

“The ships don’t have as many amenities. No Chef’s Table. I’ll just let them know what the differences are. Not that they’re good or bad, just different,” Chavez told us.

Secondly, there are almost no walking tours. Clients who have been on previous river cruises know walking tours are ubiquitous. Not so in Colombia. Out of seven days of excursions, only two featured walking tours – embarkation day in Cartagena and an optional “hike” to Santa Barbera de Pinto.

There’s sightseeing, but rather than walking from sight to sight, guests will either make their way around in tuk-tuks, bike-taxis called paolas, and mini-vans.

Port & Excursion Highlights

TMR picked three of its favorite port excursions.

Palenque

Visiting Palenque on this half-day tour, offers guests a meaningful look at the history of Afro-Colombians. Known as the first free African town in all of the Americas, Palenque (also called San Basilio de Palenque) was founded by escaped slaves who fought for their freedom. Residents of Palenque speak a Spanish-based Creole called Palenquero and guests will learn a few key words, both on their way to the town and while there.

During the tour, guests will visit the cultural center to learn about traditional life, then move on to the music studio and home of some of the town’s most well-known bands. Here, guests are encouraged to try out the instruments (with a little help from the Destination Guide), creating an impromptu concert when one of the band members sings along.

Guests also get to meet the locals security watch. The town has no police force, and learning about how they keep up law and order is fascinating. (Have a problem with someone? Take it to the municipal office for a fist fight. Whoever wins, wins the argument.)

Mompox

Santa Cruz de Mompox (or just Mompox) is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed town famous for its perfectly preserved colonial architecture. Here guests can choose either an AM or PM tour of the city, along with an AM or PM filigree jewelry workshop. TMR recommends doing both tours in the AM back to back. (The PM tours are in the late afternoon, and while temperatures aren’t at their peak, it’s pretty hot even at that hour.)

The city tour, which is by tuk-tuk, visits several key spots in the city, as well a drink stop at a local hotel along the water’s edge. While the city tour has its moments, the highlight of the day spent in Mompox is the filigree jewelry workshop. Here, guests get to see first-hand how much work goes into creating the city’s famous filigree creations, and then have the opportunity to make their own filigree heart pendant to take home.

Barranquilla

Guests have two choices during the full day in Barranquilla. One is a village tour to Atlántico, a one-hour bus ride away, where guests try their hand at basket weaving and take in panoramic viewpoints. Travel advisor Dawn Chavis told TMR it was well worth the two-hour roundtrip journey.

The second is a Barranquilla city tour, the highlight of which is the stop at the Museo del Carnaval. This colorful museum tells the histories of carnivals around the world, as well as the history of the local carnival, one of the most important in the Americas. Most impressive are the displays of dresses worn by each carnival queen for the past 20 years or so, along with their sparkly tiaras.

The museum visit is followed by a drink stop at Colombia’s first five-star hotel — the Hotel El Prado, which opened in 1930 — and then at the towering Shakira statue on the Gran Malecón. (Barranquilla is Shakira’s home city and its most famous citizen.)