AmaWaterways has partnered with Smithsonian Journeys for select European river cruises beginning April 2026. The 33 new river cruise journeys, ranging from eight to 15 days, are available for booking. All departures include an assortment of pre- and post-cruise land packages.
Highlights of the 2026 departures include:
- “Holland and Belgium in Spring: A River Cruise at Tulip Time” – This itinerary through Holland and Belgium is timed to coincide with the annual tulip bloom. Passengers will sail out of Amsterdam, discovering historic windmills, medieval trading towns and and encounter millions of tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens.
- “Cruising the Upper Danube: Romantic Ports from Bavaria to Budapest” – The cruise will follow the Danube from southern Germany to Hungary, passing through Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Along the way, there will be stops at World Heritage Sites such as Salzburg and the Wachau Valley, and opportunities to experience music and art.
- “Cruising the Lower Danube: Gems of Southeast Europe” – Passengers will sail the Danube from Hungary through the Balkan Peninsula to Romania. They can discover little-known World Heritage Sites, traditions of art and cuisine, and explore cities such as Belgrade and Bucharest.
- “The Grand Danube: A River Cruise from Germany to Romania” – This itinerary sails the Danube River on a grand voyage through eight countries. Highlights include Budapest and Vienna, as well as destinations in Croatia and Bulgaria. A choice of excursions will also be available.
- “Christmas Markets along the Danube: A River Cruise from Nuremburg to Budapest” – Guests can savor the holiday traditions of Central Europe as they cruise the Danube through Germany, Austria and Hungary, as well as charming towns and palaces from Regensburg to Salzburg.
- “Christmas Markets along the Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel” – This itinerary explores Christmas markets on a cruise through Holland, Germany and France, complete with visits to Strasbourg and Cologne, as well as medieval towns and villages.
- “The Captivating Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel” – Guests will discover wine regions and culinary delights as they make their way from the Netherlands to Germany and France.
- “Europe’s Magnificent Waterways: Cruising the Rhine, Main, and Danube River” – This itinerary will sail three of Europe’s grand rivers and, along the way, guests can enjoy local cuisine, history and a host of World Heritage Sites.
- “Cruising Portugal’s Enticing Douro River Valley” – Setting sail from the World Heritage-listed city of Porto, guests can discover the landscapes of Portugal’s Douro River Valley, where wines have been produced for some 2,000 years. They will spend a day in Salamanca and enjoy tastings at historic wine estates.
- “Rhône River Cruise: Colors of Provence” – This itinerary from Lyon to Arles will visit historic sites including the Roman Pont Du Gard and the Papal Palace in Avignon, alongside culinary tours and visits to renowned wine regions and the gorges of Ardèche.
- “Along the Seine: A River Cruise from Paris to Normandy” – Starting from Paris on the Seine River, the cruise will wind through the countryside of Normandy to the English Channel. Along the way, passengers can explore historic sites from Rouen to Omaha Beach, savor the region’s culinary traditions and trace the footsteps of great artists from Claude Monet to Josephine Baker.
- “Taste of Bordeaux: Cruising the Waterways of Southwest France”– This voyage through Bordeaux and its wine regions will offer opportunities to explore destinations such as Cadillac and Dordogne, and savor local wines and cuisine.
This is Smithsonian Journeys’ first alliance with a river cruise company.
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