AmaWaterways has announced another two new riverboats set to join its fleet in 2026: AmaKaia and AmaSofia.
The ships, which will be sailing Europe and the Mekong River, respectively, will be joining the array of newbuilds coming online in the next few years. As previously reported, two new AmaWaterways riverboats are scheduled for 2024 — AmaMagdalena will navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River beginning in November, and AmaLilia joined the brand’s fleet on the Nile River in March. A second ship for the Magdalena — AmaMelodia — is scheduled for June 2025.
Here’s what we know so far about AmaWaterways’ latest additions.
AmaSofia on the Rhine and Danube River
First up, AmaSofia is anticipated to launch on May 24, 2026, on the Rhine and Danube rivers in Europe, marking the line’s 24th ship for Europe’s waterways. Its initial itinerary will be a 14-night Magnificent Europe sailing, which sails between Amsterdam and Budapest. The route will navigate a trio of waterways and a quartet of countries overall.
Activities will extend to “guided bike rides through scenic vineyards and small towns, visits to a pretzel bakery, tours of numerous castles and palaces, culinary tours and deep dives into many of the region’s most historic cities,” according to a press release from AmaWaterways.
No further details have been provided about the vessel itself, other than to indicate it will be a “custom-designed luxury” riverboat with 31 departures scheduled for 2026. Its other itineraries will encompass the Melodies of the Danube, Romantic Danube and Christmas Markets on the Danube itineraries.
AmaKaia on the Mekong River
Following will be AmaKaia, which is set to join the existing AmaDara along the Mekong River on Aug. 3, 2026, when it is expected to make its first weeklong journey in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Guests are promised the opportunity to try local delicacies during its shore excursions, and can enjoy onboard entertainment and other luxurious amenities.
“Exploration opportunities include traditional ‘xe-loi’ (trishaw) rides, visits to local workshops and monasteries, a Buddhist Blessing Ceremony and learning about the region’s histories from those who taught it and, in many cases, lived it,” according to the line.
AmaKaia’s two available itineraries will be the seven-night Charms of the Mekong and Riches of the Mekong. Altogether, the new riverboat will embark on 22 cruises in 2026 and as many as 38 in 2027. Available land extensions will further visit Siem Reap and its famed Angkor Wat ruins.
