AmaMagdalena

AmaMagdalena at a Glance

AmaMagdalena is a purpose-built river ship launched in 2024 for AmaWaterways, designed specifically for South American river cruising. Here is what sizes her up at a glance:

• Cabins: 30
• Region: South America — sailing from Barranquilla and Cartagena, Colombia

Her 60-guest capacity keeps the atmosphere personal and unhurried in a way that larger vessels simply cannot replicate. All current sailings depart from Colombia, making her an ideal centrepiece for a longer South American trip. Browse South America cruises in 2026 or South America cruises in 2027 to see what is available right now.

Dining on AmaMagdalena

AmaMagdalena offers two distinct dining venues, both included in your cruise fare and open to all guests.

The Main Restaurant is the culinary heart of the ship, serving regional cuisine with open seating times and river views throughout. The relaxed, informal atmosphere encourages conversation with fellow travellers, and everything on the menu is included in your fare.

For something more theatrical, The Chef’s Table offers a multi-course tasting menu prepared by a dedicated chef in an intimate setting — culinary theatre with personalised attention, and no extra charge. A complimentary Specialty Coffee & Tea Station rounds out the offer, available on a self-service basis for mornings or quiet afternoon breaks.

On-Board Bars and Socialising

The Main Lounge is the social hub of AmaMagdalena, where the ship’s community naturally gathers. It is where port talks take place, where live entertainment runs in the evenings, and where the fully stocked bar is the backdrop for relaxed cocktail hours. Entry is included; drinks are charged separately unless you hold a beverage package.

Staying Active on AmaMagdalena

Despite her boutique size, AmaMagdalena carries a well-considered range of facilities for guests who want to stay active. The Fitness Center has modern cardio and strength-training equipment at no charge, though specialist fitness classes carry a separate fee. Up on the Sun Deck, the Walking Track lets you jog or walk in the open air with river scenery on either side.

The headline feature for active guests is the Complimentary Bicycle Fleet. In port, you can simply take a bike from the ship and explore at your own pace — no guide, no booking, no charge. For those who prefer the water, the Heated Sun-Deck Pool is included in your fare and comes with an integrated swim-up bar, so a cool drink is always within reach.

Wellness and Relaxation

The Massage & Hair Salon provides a quiet retreat from the main deck, with massage and hairdressing services available on board. The facilities themselves are included; individual treatments and services carry their own charge. For quieter moments, the Library offers a calm space with books and games, included in your fare.

The Sun Deck

The open Sun Deck runs the width of the ship and provides unobstructed views of the passing riverscape. It doubles as an occasional open-air dining space and is simply the best vantage point on board for taking in South America’s scenery. Access is included for all guests.

Cabins and Suites on AmaMagdalena

With 30 cabins serving 60 guests, every cabin on AmaMagdalena is generously proportioned by river-ship standards. Two grades are confirmed for sale through Cruise1st.

The Balcony Cabin A spans 22 m² and sleeps up to three guests, with a private balcony offering unobstructed river views and the fresh air that inside cabins cannot provide. The Grand Suite GS at 47.9 m² sleeps up to four and represents genuinely spacious living quarters for a river ship of this size.

For a full breakdown of cabin grades, floor plans and deck layouts, visit the AmaMagdalena cabins and deck plans page.

Where AmaMagdalena Sails

All sailings currently on sale depart from Colombia, with embarkation ports at Cartagena and Barranquilla. These are not turnaround ports you transit through — they are proper departure cities, and the journey to reach them means flying from the UK. Because every sailing involves a flight, Cruise1st treats this as the cruise being the middle of a longer trip: we book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as one joined-up holiday under a single booking.

To explore the full range of itineraries in the region, see our South America cruise destination page or go straight to South America cruises to search sailings by date and length.

About AmaWaterways

AmaMagdalena sails for AmaWaterways, a river cruise specialist whose fleet covers routes across Europe, Africa and the Americas. If you are weighing up which AmaWaterways ship suits your itinerary, other ships in the fleet available through Cruise1st include AmaMagna, Zambezi Queen, AmaVerde, AmaVenita, AmaDahlia and AmaLea.

Why Book AmaMagdalena with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists — not a general travel agent that happens to sell cruises. That means real cruise experts on the phone before you book, who know AmaWaterways and can help you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions for your circumstances.

Because every AmaMagdalena sailing involves a flight to Colombia, a Cruise1st Package is the natural way to book: flights, hotels and transfers arranged alongside your cruise as one complete holiday, on one booking.

Common Questions About AmaMagdalena

Which Cabin Grade Should I Book on AmaMagdalena?

If a private outdoor space matters to you, the Balcony Cabin A gives you your own balcony and unobstructed river views in a well-proportioned 22 m² cabin sleeping up to three. Travelling as a family or wanting significantly more space, the Grand Suite GS at 47.9 m² sleeps up to four and is the most spacious cabin on the ship. The cabins and deck plans page shows the full layout.

Do I Need to Book Flights Separately?

All AmaMagdalena sailings currently on sale depart from Colombia, so a flight from the UK is required for every itinerary. Cruise1st can arrange flights, hotels and transfers alongside your cruise as part of a single package booking, so nothing is left to piece together separately.

What Is Included in the Cruise Fare?

The Main Restaurant, The Chef’s Table, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, the Fitness Center, the Sun Deck, the Heated Sun-Deck Pool, the Walking Track, the Library and the complimentary bicycle fleet are all included in your fare. The Main Lounge bar charges for drinks unless a beverage package is held, and the Massage & Hair Salon charges for individual treatments.

How Long Are AmaMagdalena’s Itineraries?

Sailings currently on sale run to a maximum of seven nights, making them a self-contained week-long holiday that works well with a few extra days in Cartagena or Barranquilla either side.

Where Do AmaMagdalena Cruises Depart From?

Current sailings depart from Barranquilla and Cartagena, both in Colombia. The majority of departures on sale leave from Barranquilla. All itineraries are in South America, and a flight from the UK is needed to reach the embarkation port.