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.

Both vessels are owned by Metropolitan Touring and chartered long-term by AmaWaterways. They are Colombia-flagged, registered in Buenaventura, and 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 longest and most significant river, stretching approximately 1530 km (950 mi) from the Andes Mountains to the Caribbean Sea. Named after Mary Magdalene in 1501 by Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, the river is navigable through its lower section up to the city of Honda (in Tolima Department).

The Magdalena River basin covers ~257,500 km² (~99,400 mi²), nearly one-quarter of Colombia’s land area. It has an average discharge of 7200 m³/s (maximum 12,000 m³/s). Key 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

AmaWaterways’ AmaMelodia has a total of 32 staterooms, all configured for double occupancy (maximum 64 passengers) and divided into five cabin grades. All cabins are “Twin Balcony” staterooms, each featuring a French Balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) and a step-out veranda measuring 2 m² (20 ft²).

The vessel has three decks, two of which contain passenger accommodations.

Most cabins (28) measure 22 m² (235 ft²). The most premium accommodations include two Luxury Suites (forward on Deck 2 “Cumbia,” 30 m²/325 ft²) and two Junior Suites (forward on Deck 1 “Salsa,” 26 m²/275 ft²).

Standard cabin features include a Queen-size bed with nightstands, a mirrored vanity/writing desk with chair, a seating area by the French Balcony (two armchairs and a round table), a wardrobe with hangers and drawers, an electronic safe (in the closet), mini-fridge, smart HDTV (with satellite reception and Internet), and an en-suite bathroom with a washbasin (single-sink vanity), toilet, and a separate shower with a glass enclosure. The step-out veranda is furnished with two deck chairs and a low table.

The Suites are more spacious and additionally feature bathtubs.

Unlike AmaMagdalena, AmaMelodia does not have 2-Room Grand Suites. Instead, she offers two Junior Suites and two additional standard cabins.

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 aft Restaurant (serving Colombian, Latin American, and international cuisine), adjacent Galley (kitchen) and storage, and the Lobby Hall (midship) with two ship entrances and a 24-hour Reception Desk (guest services, information, shore excursions, cashier). Forward is the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) with nearby officers' quarters.

Luna Deck (Deck 3) hosts indoor and outdoor venues. Indoors: Bar & Lounge (with nightly live entertainment), a Gym (aft-starboard), and the Spa complex (aft-portside) with a massage room and a Beauty Salon (hair and nail studio). Midship is a roof-covered alfresco lounge with comfortable seating and food/beverage service. Forward is the Sun Deck with a small swimming pool, loungers, and deck chairs.

Colombian cuisine onboard incorporates locally sourced ingredients from the regions visited. Signature dishes include:

• Butifarra and chorizo sausages served in Mompox
• Tamarind balls, coconut cake, candied papaya, and local cheeses from Palenque markets
• Posta Negra (Posta Cartagenera)—beef roast with herbs and spices, served in Cartagena

The ship also serves complimentary Colombian coffee.

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.