{"id":244426,"date":"2026-05-06T14:54:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T12:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/?p=244426"},"modified":"2026-05-06T14:54:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T12:54:55","slug":"colombia-amawaterways-continues-developing-cruises-on-the-magdalena-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/colombia-amawaterways-continues-developing-cruises-on-the-magdalena-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombia: AmaWaterways continues developing cruises on the Magdalena River"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Magdalena River continues to establish itself as a new axis for river tourism in Latin America. With the christening of the <strong>AmaMelodia <\/strong>in Barranquilla on April 28, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amawaterways.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">AmaWaterways<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> confirms the expansion of its cruises in Colombia, following the launch of its first ship on the river, the <strong>AmaMagdalena<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The American company, specialized in high-end river cruises, is continuing to roll out an offering that is still rare in the country, focusing on navigation close to local territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A second ship to support growing demand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>As we continue to expand beyond our European roots, destinations such as Colombia represent an important part of our future,<\/em>\u201d says <strong>Catherine Powell, CEO of AmaWaterways<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"592\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AmaMelodia.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-244384\" style=\"width:304px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AmaMelodia.jpg 592w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AmaMelodia-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/cruises-on-the-magdalena-river-a-journey-to-the-heart-of-colombia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AmaMagdalena<\/a><\/strong>, launched in March 2025, the arrival of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amawaterways.com\/ships\/amamelodia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>AmaMelodia <\/strong><\/a>increases capacity while strengthening the company\u2019s presence on the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Designed specifically for this navigation, the ship offers <strong>five categories of cabins <\/strong>across <strong>32 units<\/strong>, <strong>accommodating up to 64 passengers<\/strong>. This intentionally limited capacity reflects a <strong>high-end cruise model<\/strong>, with a focus on comfort, service, and proximity to destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On board, the experience follows European river cruise standards, while incorporating elements specific to the Colombian context, particularly through <strong>gastronomy, excursions, and guiding.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The christening ceremony took place in the presence of local stakeholders, with <strong>Captain Elisabeth Mercado Herrera<\/strong>\u2014an important figure in Colombia\u2019s river sector and originally from the region\u2014as the ship\u2019s godmother. This choice reflects the company\u2019s intention to anchor itself in local dynamics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"AmaMelodia Christening | AmaWaterways Magdalena River Cruise in Colombia\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DSlklx1PrvA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sailing the Magdalena: between heritage and lesser-known territories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>two itineraries<\/strong> follow the river between <strong>Cartagena <\/strong>and <strong>Barranquilla<\/strong>, with stops in <strong>Mompox<\/strong>, <strong>Magangu\u00e9<\/strong>, <strong>Calamar<\/strong>, <strong>Santa B\u00e1rbara de Pinto<\/strong>, and <strong>Sabanagrande<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTG-AmaMelodia.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-244393\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5086848635235732;width:260px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTG-AmaMelodia.jpg 700w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTG-AmaMelodia-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>These stops offer the opportunity to discover a different side of <a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/p\/colombia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Colombia<\/mark><\/a>, away from the most frequented routes, combining colonial towns, cultural villages, and ecosystems still largely outside international tourism flows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long associated with trade and transport, the river is now becoming a guiding thread to understand the country\u2019s history and local dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>With AmaMelodia, we are delivering on our commitment to offer more varied and immersive experiences in new regions, while continuing to provide the high-quality journeys our guests expect,<\/em>\u201d adds <strong>Catherine Powell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>You may also like: <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/mompox-journey-to-the-heart-of-colombian-heritage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mompox: Journey to the Heart of Colombian Heritage<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A pioneering presence in Colombia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-04-AmaMelodia-bautismo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-244387\" style=\"width:304px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-04-AmaMelodia-bautismo.jpg 400w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-04-AmaMelodia-bautismo-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With its two ships, AmaWaterways positions itself as the first international operator to structure a river cruise offering in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This development is part of a broader strategy led by Colombia to diversify its tourism offer and better distribute visitor flows beyond established destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pre- and post-cruise extension<\/strong>s are available, allowing travelers to explore <strong>Medell\u00edn <\/strong>and <strong>Cartagena <\/strong>before embarkation, or <strong>Panama <\/strong>after the river journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A market still under construction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the Magdalena is beginning to appear on the river cruise map, the offering remains limited and the destination is still developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is precisely what makes it attractive for professionals: a differentiated product capable of meeting demand for more exclusive and less standardized experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With the arrival of this second ship, the Magdalena reaches a new milestone. Beyond increased capacity, it confirms the river\u2019s gradual emergence as a destination in its own right, with further development expected in the coming years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photos: AmaWaterways<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AmaWaterways launches the AmaMelodia in Colombia and expands its high-end cruises on the Magdalena River\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":244391,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16783],"tags":[40110,19359,19356,40092,40093,40112,40104,40108,40096,40111,40097,26406,31262,40100,40109,40105,40098,40103,40102,40090,40091,40101,40099,40114,40115,40095,40094,40113,40106,40107,26913],"class_list":["post-244426","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-alternative-destinations-colombia","tag-amamagdalena-2","tag-amamelodia-2","tag-amawaterways-colombia","tag-barranquilla-cruise","tag-boutique-cruise-colombia","tag-caribbean-colombia-tourism","tag-caribbean-river-cruise","tag-cartagena-cruise","tag-colombia-river-travel","tag-colombia-tourism-development","tag-cultural-tourism-colombia","tag-experiential-tourism-colombia","tag-high-end-cruise-colombia","tag-immersive-cruise-colombia","tag-latin-america-cruise-market","tag-luxury-cruise-colombia","tag-magdalena-itineraries","tag-magdalena-navigation","tag-magdalena-river-cruise-colombia","tag-magdalena-river-tourism","tag-mompox-colombia-tourism","tag-nueva-venecia-colombia","tag-off-the-beaten-path-colombia","tag-premium-tourism-colombia","tag-river-cruises-colombia","tag-river-tourism-latin-america","tag-south-america-cruise","tag-sustainable-tourism-colombia-3","tag-tourism-development-colombia-2","tag-tourisme-durable-colombie-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244426"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244439,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244426\/revisions\/244439"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/244391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}