AmaWaterways and Mandarin Oriental Join Forces for Elevated Land Extensions

AmaWaterways and Mandarin Oriental are joining forces to create a seamless new offering that brings the same level of refinement found on the river to the days before and after it. Launching in 2026, the Mandarin Oriental luxury pre- and post-cruise experiences will be available in key European cities—Barcelona, Geneva, Zürich, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Vienna, and Amsterdam—with Budapest to follow in 2027.

Each program combines Mandarin Oriental’s signature hospitality with AmaWaterways’ focus on culturally immersive travel. Guests can expect door-to-door transfers between airports, hotels, and ships, along with private drivers and guides leading daily excursions. Hands-on culinary experiences are a centerpiece, including a tapas cooking class in Barcelona, a Viennese cooking demonstration in Austria, and an ascent to the summit of Mount Rigi during the Lucerne and Zurich itinerary.

The new extensions are designed to blur the lines between land and river journeys, appealing to travelers seeking comfort without the logistics. For instance, the two-night Vienna experience, available on the Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary, includes private tours of Vienna and Budapest with accommodations at the brand-new Mandarin Oriental Vienna (from $2,760). In Barcelona, travelers on the Colors of Provence itinerary can opt for a three-night stay at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, complete with privately guided tours of La Sagrada Familia and Montserrat Monastery, and a local tapas lesson (from $4,140). A four-night Lucerne and Zurich journey, available on select Rhine sailings, starts at $7,400 and includes stays at the Mandarin Oriental Palace in Lucerne and the Mandarin Oriental Savoy in Zurich.