River cruise fans who like to plan far ahead now have a reason to: AmaWaterways has released its full 2028 programme, and it is one of the biggest in the line's recent history. Bookings are open now for a season that adds four ships, several new itineraries and a longer list of pre- and post-cruise land stays across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.
The headline news is the fleet growth. On the Rhine, the AmaMaria will launch with 76 staterooms, using the next-generation layout that first appears on its sister ship AmaFiora, due in April 2027. Portugal's Douro Valley gets busier too: the AmaGaia joins the AmaDouro and AmaSintra on the river, with another vessel still to come, and the sailing season stretches into November and December — a smart option for anyone who prefers the Douro without the summer crowds or heat.
In Africa, a second ship will join the Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River, the waterway that forms the border between Namibia and Botswana and is famous for elephant and hippo sightings from the water. The additions feed into AmaWaterways' stated aim of running more than 50 ships by 2032.
There's a notable new itinerary for food and wine lovers: a 10- or 11-night "Elegance of Burgundy & Provence" sailing on the AmaCello, running in July and August 2028 along the Rhône and Saône rivers. The plan builds in longer port stays, giving more time for Burgundy and Provence's vineyards, market towns and restaurant scene.
Also new is a wider menu of land extensions, aimed at travellers who want to tack city breaks onto a river cruise. Three-night packages will be offered in Krakow and Brussels, while two-night options cover Nuremberg, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Dijon, Porto, Basel and Luxembourg. Combined with the line's existing land programmes in Colombia, Egypt, Africa safari routes and Vietnam, that makes 2028 a good year to stitch several trips into one booking.
Why it matters: river cruises on the most popular European rivers routinely sell out many months — sometimes years — ahead, and 2027 sailings are already heavily booked for a lot of departures. Opening 2028 this early means early birds can lock in new ships, preferred cabins and the July–August Burgundy itinerary before general demand catches up. If you've been waiting for a Douro winter sailing or a second chance at the Chobe, this is the window.
Who it suits: couples and older travellers who like small-ship, all-inclusive-style cruising, wine-focused itineraries, and combining a cruise with a few nights in a European city. Far-ahead bookers get the pick of the cabins; last-minute types will want to watch for later deals instead.
Story first reported by Cruise Industry News.
