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AmaWaterways' Colombia river launch delayed

The inaugural sailing of AmaWaterways’ AmaMagdalena on Colombia’s Magdalena River has been delayed again and moved to March 15, 2025.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

October 3, 2024

1 Min Read
A rendering of the dining room aboard the new Colombia river ship AmaMagdalenaRENDERING: AMAWATERWAYS

The launch of AmaMelodia, the company’s second Magdalena River vessel, remains on schedule for June.

Infrastructure development challenges

AmaWaterways has been collaborating closely with local communities and officials to develop the necessary infrastructure for the new river cruise destination.

‘This is the first time a major river cruise line is offering a journey of this nature on the Magdalena River,’ AmaWaterways Co-founder and President Rudi Schreiner said.

‘We’ve encountered challenges that are simply part of being pioneers,’ he said.

‘Opening a new river to the world is not easy, but it is exactly these kinds of bold steps that allow us to offer our guests new experiences.’

Excursions

The new vessel will have nine custom-designed excursion boats for passengers to explore secluded areas, rich in biodiversity, opening up parts of Colombia rarely seen by travellers.

Shore excursions will allow passengers to interact with indigenous communities.

Having local guides will enhance cultural experiences and provide valuable employment opportunities for communities along the river.

On board there will be rum and Colombian coffee tastings, and a Colombian chef will hold classes describing local dishes.

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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