AmaMagdalena

The 2024-built/2025-inaugurated AmaMagdalena cruises on Colombia’s Magdalena River (northern South America), with departures from the homeports Barranquilla and Cartagena de Indias. Her sistership and fleetmate in Colombia is the AmaMelodia.

Both riverboats are owned by Metropolitan Touring and operated under long-term charter by AmaWaterways. They are Colombia-flagged (registered in Buenaventura) with maximum passenger capacities of 60 (AmaMagdalena) and 64 (AmaMelodia). AmaWaterways' Colombian cruisetour itineraries (including destinations, land tours, transfers, hotels, and flights) are also organized via Metropolitan Touring – a 1968-founded travel company and shipowner based in Quito, Ecuador.

In July 2021, AmaWaterways announced the shipbuilding order for AmaMagdalena, marking it as the first major cruise brand to operate year-round on Colombia’s Magdalena River. The initial launch was scheduled for December 2023. The agreement between AmaWaterways and Metropolitan Touring was signed by Rudi Schreiner (AmaWaterways President) and Paulina Burbano de Lara (Metropolitan Touring CEO).

In February 2023, AmaMelodia was ordered, and in March, the launch plans for both new riverboats were officially announced.

AmaMagdalena is now scheduled to be inaugurated on March 15, 2025 (Maiden Voyage from Barranquilla to Cartagena, rescheduled from March 30, 2024), while AmaMelodia is planned for launch on June 19, 2025. The announcement was made by AmaWaterways’ co-founders Rudi Schreiner (President) and Kristin Karst (Executive VP).

The Magdalena River is Colombia’s principal waterway, stretching approximately 1,530 km (950 mi) from its source in the Andes Mountains to the Caribbean Sea. It was named in 1501 by Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas (1465–1527) in honor of Mary Magdalene. The river is navigable along its lower reaches up to Honda (Tolima department).

The Magdalena River basin spans roughly 257,500 km² (~99,400 mi²), representing nearly a quarter of Colombia’s territory. The river’s average discharge is about 7,200 m³/s, reaching up to 12,000 m³/s. Its main tributaries include the Paez, Saldana, La Miel, Nare, Cauca, and San Jorge rivers (from the left), and the Cabrera, Bogota, Negro, Carare, Sogamoso, and Cesar rivers (from the right).

Decks and Cabins

AmaMagdalena has a total of 30 staterooms, all configured for double occupancy (max capacity 60 passengers), distributed across 5 cabin grades. Every cabin features a "Twin Balcony" layout, combining a French Balcony (floor-to-ceiling opening windows) with a step-out veranda (measuring 2 m²/20 ft²).

The ship has three decks, two of which accommodate staterooms.

Most cabins (26) are 22 m²/235 ft². Premium accommodations include two Grand Suites (forward on Deck 1 "Salsa", 48 m²/515 ft²) and two Luxury Suites (forward on Deck 2 "Cumbia", 28 m²/305 ft²).

Standard amenities include a queen-size bed with nightstands, mirrored vanity/writing desk with chair, seating area by the French Balcony (two armchairs and a round table), wardrobe (with hangers and drawers), electronic safe, mini-fridge, smart HDTV (satellite and Internet), en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, toilet, glass-enclosed shower), and individually controlled air conditioning. The step-out veranda features two deck chairs and a low table.

Suites are more spacious and include bathtubs in addition to standard amenities.

Each Grand Suite is a two-room accommodation with a separate living room (two-seater sofa, balcony access) and a bedroom (queen bed, large French Balcony). These suites have two full bathrooms (one with a bathtub) and two entry doors (hallway access from both rooms).

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

Listed below are AmaMagdalena’s public areas, organized by deck:

Salsa Deck (Deck 1): Houses both passenger and crew cabins (aft), including the two Grand Suites (forward), along with technical rooms (engines, propulsion, generators, water plant).

Cumbia Deck (Deck 2): Features the aft Restaurant (adjacent to the Galley and storage rooms), serving Colombian and Latin American cuisine along with international specialties. Midship is the Lobby Hall with two ship entrances and the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services, information, excursion booking). Forward is the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) and officers’ quarters.

Luna Deck (Deck 3): Offers both indoor and outdoor venues. Indoors are the Bar & Lounge (with nightly live entertainment), a Gym (aft-starboard), and a Spa complex (aft-portside) with a massage room and Beauty Salon (hair and nail studio). Midship is the roof-covered alfresco lounge (with lounge seating, food and drinks), while forward is the Sun Deck with a small swimming pool, sun loungers, and deck chairs.

Onboard dining emphasizes fresh, locally sourced Colombian ingredients, with regional specialties served depending on the itinerary. Signature dishes include:

• Butifarra and chorizo sausages (served in Mompox)
• Tamarind balls, coconut cake, sugared papaya, and market-sourced cheeses (from Palenque)
• Posta Negra / Posta Cartagenera (beef roast with herbs, onions, and garlic, seared in butter and fat; served in Cartagena)

Complimentary Colombian coffee is also available onboard.

Magdalena River Itineraries (Colombia)

AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia operate two 7-night/8-day voyages along the Magdalena River: “Magic of Colombia” (Barranquilla to Cartagena) and the reverse “Wonders of Colombia” (Cartagena to Barranquilla).

Call ports and highlights on the “Wonders of Colombia” itinerary include:

• DAY 1: Cartagena (embarkation, Getsemani neighborhood tour)
• DAY 2: Calamar (bus tour to San Basilio de Palenque)
• DAY 3: Santa Barbara de Pinto (walking tour), Santa Cruz de Mompox (overnight)
• DAY 4: Mompox (lake expedition at Cienaga de Pijino, walking tour), second overnight
• DAY 5: Mompox, La Mojana cruising, El Banco (walking tour, dinner and Cumbia performance)
• DAY 6: Magangue (birdwatching or hiking), cruise to Nueva Venecia
• DAY 7: Nueva Venecia (stilt-house village tour), cruise to Barranquilla (Carnaval-themed dockside event)
• DAY 8: Barranquilla (disembarkation)

When first announced in 2023, AmaWaterways' Colombia cruises were priced from USD 3,600 (EUR 3,410 / GBP 3,030) per person (double occupancy), or approx. USD 515 per night. Fares include guided walking and cycling tours, as well as wildlife and birdwatching excursions by land and boat.

Optional pre- and post-cruise packages (including land tours and hotel stays) are available at extra cost. Pre-cruise options include 3-night Medellin, 2-night Cartagena, or a 5-night Medellin-Cartagena combo. These can be combined with a 3-night post-cruise stay in Panama City, including visits to Gatun Lake, Miraflores Locks, and Chagres National Park, for a total 15-night vacation package.