Breaking into a new country is never easy. Just ask AmaWaterways, which this week announced the delay of its industry-first river cruises in Colombia.
Originally scheduled to launch in November 2024 and then postponed to January 25, the new route down the Magdalena River now is being planned for March 2025.
It’s a complicated thing to work with local communities and officials to develop the infrastructure that will allow luxury excursions to “explore secluded areas rich in biodiversity, opening up parts of Colombia rarely seen by travelers.”
“Our journey here isn’t just about exploration; it’s about forging new paths for our guests while contributing to the growth and development of the region,” said AmaWaterways co-founder and executive vice-president Kristin Karst in a press release announcing the delay. “Economic growth, infrastructure development, and community empowerment are at the heart of what we do in Colombia.”
Exploring the Magdalena River region “was complicated, if not impossible. Our cruises are changing that, offering the seamless experience AmaWaterways is known for, while also providing exclusive access to culturally significant and often inaccessible destinations.”
Ama currently is planning two ships for the route, the 60-passenger AmaMagdalena and the 64-passenger AmaMelodia, which is on schedule for its planned June 2025 launch. They will sail seven-night itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla.
When the ships do launch, the plan is to highlight the local culture through tastings of tropical fruit, artisanal chocolate and rum, and Colombian coffee; visits to indigenous communities; and shore excursions to “secluded natural wonders that are often out of reach.”