AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys Expand Co-Branded Cruises With 42 New Departures for 2027
The new itineraries in France and Southeast Asia signal deepening demand for culturally rich river cruising.
Photo: Courtesy of AmaWaterways
Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, are expanding their co-branded portfolio with 42 departures set for 2027, including two new itineraries that deepen the product’s appeal for advisors catering to intellectually curious travelers.
Building on the initial 2026 launch, the expanded offering reinforces a shared commitment to experiential travel. All 2027 sailings will continue to feature onboard experts—including art historians, archaeologists, and scientists—as well as exclusive excursions and pre- and post-cruise land packages hosted by AmaWaterways managers. The result is a layered, multi-format product designed to extend engagement far beyond the ship’s rails.
Two itineraries are new to the lineup: Grand Waterways of France and Along the Mekong: Charms of Vietnam and Cambodia. The 15-day France journey navigates three rivers—Seine, Saône, and Rhône—offering guests opportunities to explore Monet’s gardens in Giverny, sip wines in Burgundy, and cruise south to the sun-soaked villages of Provence. In Vietnam and Cambodia, guests sail the Mekong past floating markets and remote hamlets, with land-based extensions in Hanoi, Siem Reap, and Angkor Wat for a more immersive cultural context.
The partnership offers a differentiated angle in the crowded European river cruise market, where standard itineraries can blur together. The Smithsonian branding, combined with expert-led programming, gives these sailings strong appeal for culturally motivated clients, including repeat cruisers looking for fresh perspectives.
Most itineraries are seven to 15 nights, ranging from classic Danube and Rhine sailings to seasonal Christmas market cruises and tulip-season departures in the Low Countries. Among the returning highlights are The Grand Danube (Germany to Romania), Colors of Provence, Christmas Markets on the Rhine, and Taste of Bordeaux, each blending regional authenticity with AmaWaterways’ hallmark amenities: gourmet dining, wellness programs, daily Sip & Sail cocktail hours, and complimentary excursions.
The Smithsonian Journeys sailings are commissionable and offer the added benefit of longer booking windows, with 2027 departures now open for sale.
