AmaWaterways, never one to rest on its laurels, has once again expanded its Soulful sailings—those delightfully immersive, culturally rich cruises that celebrate Black heritage in ways that are as enlightening as they are entertaining. Due to their soaring popularity, 2025 and 2026 will see even more of these special voyages, with new destinations and itineraries to entice history buffs, food lovers, and anyone who appreciates a well-placed windmill or a properly aged port.
First up in 2025, alongside Egypt, France, Colombia, and Portugal, is the all-new Best of Holland & Belgium cruise. This is no ordinary jaunt through the Low Countries—it’s a festive end-of-year spectacular that uniquely includes both Kwanzaa and New Year’s. Setting sail from Amsterdam on December 27, passengers will be treated to nightly Kinara candle-lighting ceremonies, a cultural deep dive into the principles of Kwanzaa, and guided tours through the ever-fascinating streets of Amsterdam. Additional highlights include a visit to the island city of Hellevoetsluis, where medieval harbor charm meets modern Dutch ingenuity, a trip to the De Hoop windmill (which, delightfully, still works), and an exploration of Brussels’ castles and Antwerp’s culinary scene. If all that sounds enticing, fares start at $3,039 U.S. and $4,117 Canadian, with a special savings offer running through March 31, 2025.
Fast forward to 2026, and the Soulful Experience lineup expands even further. First, there’s the Enticing Douro cruise, which sets sail on June 13, just in time to celebrate Juneteenth in grand style. This journey kicks off with three nights in Lisbon, a city with deep African heritage, before meandering along Portugal’s Douro River aboard the cozy 102-guest AmaDouro. Passengers will enjoy tastings of Brazilian and African cuisine, sip port wines at local quintas, and listen to the hauntingly beautiful strains of fado music. Fares start at $4,949 U.S. and $6,522 Canadian, and that includes the immeasurable joy of watching a river slowly unfold before your eyes, glass of port in hand.
Then there’s the Riches of the Mekong adventure, running from October 11 to 25. This one is for those with a taste for the exotic—and a fondness for history. The itinerary explores Vietnam and Cambodia’s lesser-known connections to Black heritage while sailing the Mekong River aboard the AmaDara. But the real star of this experience is the four-night Central Vietnam Land Extension, which offers a whirlwind of cultural gems: a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An, a visit to Da Nang’s Museum of Cham Sculpture, a royal dinner in Hue, and a tour of the magnificent tomb of Emperor Ming Mang. Toss in a night in temple-laden Siem Reap and two post-cruise nights in Ho Chi Minh City, and you have a trip brimming with cultural riches. Prices begin at $5,032 U.S. and $6,744 Canadian—an excellent deal for anyone who enjoys a little adventure with their river cruising.
Finally, we come to the Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas cruise, setting sail on December 15, 2026. If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping mulled wine while surrounded by twinkling Christmas markets and historic Black cultural sites, then this one’s for you. This seven-night sailing from Basel to Amsterdam includes stops at Strasbourg’s famed Christmas market (the oldest in France), the storybook town of Rüdesheim, and, of course, Amsterdam, where post-cruise guests can enjoy additional cultural experiences. The whole affair is made even more festive with onboard Kwanzaa celebrations and a generous dusting of holiday spirit. Prices start at $4,299 U.S. and $6,071 Canadian, with a special Holiday Triple Savings offer available through March 31.
For those looking to combine luxury river cruising with meaningful cultural exploration, these Soulful sailings continue to deliver—and then some. And if you’re a travel advisor looking to brush up on the details, AmaWaterways has even set up a dedicated Soulful webinar hosted by their very own expert, Jazzmine Douse. So, whether you’re in it for the history, the food, or just the sheer joy of sailing past a beautifully illuminated European cityscape, these cruises promise an experience you won’t soon forget.
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