AmaMelodia

The 2025-built AmaMelodia cruises along Colombia’s Magdalena River in northern South America, with roundtrip departures from the homeports of Barranquilla and Cartagena de Indias. Her fleetmate on the river is the sistership AmaMagdalena.

The vessel AmaMelodia is currently Colombia-flagged (MMSI 730078353) and registered in Buenaventura.

AmaMelodia was officially christened on April 28, 2026, in Barranquilla. The naming ceremony was attended by Catherine Powell (AmaWaterways' CEO), Kristin Karst (the company's Co-Founder and Chief Brand Ambassador), and Carmen Carbellero (ProColumbia's President). The naming event was led by the boat's Captain and godmother, Elisabeth Mercado Herrera, the first female to become a river cruise ship Master on the Magdalena.

Both riverboats are owned by Metropolitan Touring and long-term chartered by AmaWaterways. They have maximum passenger capacities of 60 (AmaMagdalena) and 64 (AmaMelodia). All AmaWaterways Colombia cruisetours—including destinations, land tours, transfers, hotels, and flights—are operated through Metropolitan Touring, a Quito, Ecuador-based tour operator and shipowner founded in 1968.

In July 2021, AmaWaterways announced the shipbuilding order for AmaMagdalena, making it the first major cruise brand to offer year-round cruises on the Magdalena River. The launch was originally scheduled for December 2023. The partnership agreement between AmaWaterways and Metropolitan Touring was signed by AMA’s President Rudi Schreiner and Metropolitan’s CEO Paulina Burbano de Lara.

AmaMelodia was ordered in February 2023, and in March, the debuts of both new riverboats were officially announced. AmaMagdalena is scheduled to be inaugurated on March 15, 2025 (maiden voyage from Barranquilla to Cartagena), while AmaMelodia will be launched 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 1530 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 7200 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

AmaMelodia has 32 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 vessel has 3 decks, two of which contain passenger accommodations.

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, along with 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). Grand Suites have two full bathrooms (one with a bathtub) and two entry doors (hallway access from both rooms).

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

Below is a summary of AmaMelodia’s public areas by deck:

Salsa Deck (Deck 1) includes both guest and crew cabins (aft), two forward Junior Suites, and the ship’s engine room and technical spaces (engines, propulsion, generators, water plant, etc.).

Cumbia Deck (Deck 2) features the Journeys Restaurant (Aft Dining Room 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 Lark Lounge & Bar (with nightly live entertainment), a Gym (aft-starboard), and a wellness 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)

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

Ports of call and events on the “Wonders of Colombia” itinerary include:

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

When announced in 2023, fares for AmaWaterways’ Colombia voyages started at USD 3600 (EUR 3410 / GBP 3030) per person based on double occupancy (~USD 515 per night). Fares include guided land tours, walking and cycling excursions, and nature expeditions (wildlife, birdwatching).

Optional pre- and post-cruise land programs are available for an additional charge. Options include 3-night packages in Medellin or 2-night stays in Cartagena, or a 5-night combo package (Medellin and Cartagena), combinable with a 3-night post-cruise stay in Panama City (featuring tours to Gatun Lake, Miraflores Locks, and Chagres National Park) for a 15-night vacation package.