AmaWaterways Delays AmaMagdalena Launch to Early April

AmaWaterways has postponed the launch of the AmaMagdalena to early April, citing minor issues. Passengers are still visiting Colombia and enjoying excursions in various historical locations. The company has prepared by hiring additional staff and establishing a local office, and it will offer two itineraries for future sailings on the Magdalena River.

AmaWaterways has announced a delay in the debut of its river cruise ship, the AmaMagdalena, in Colombia, moving the inaugural sailing from March 15 to early April. Kristin Karst, co-founder and chief brand ambassador, cited that several minor issues were the cause of this postponement. This initiative, which aims to revive passenger cruises on the Magdalena River for the first time in over 50 years, was originally unveiled in 2021.

Despite the delay, travelers who were scheduled to board AmaMagdalena are still visiting Colombia, engaging in excursions along the Magdalena River. These passengers are currently residing in Cartagena and exploring historical sites such as Palenque, the first “free town” in the Americas, and Barranquilla, renowned for its Carnival festivities.

In preparation for the AmaMagdalena’s launch, AmaWaterways has recently employed eight cruise managers for both the AmaMagdalena and the AmaMelodia, with the latter set to commence operations in June. Additionally, the company has established an office in Barranquilla, employing roughly ten staff members.

The AmaMagdalena was initially scheduled to begin operations in November. However, co-founder and CEO Rudi Schreiner acknowledged the challenges associated with pioneering new endeavors in cruise offerings, emphasizing the significance of opening new rivers for exploration.

AmaWaterways is set to provide two intriguing itineraries for Colombia cruises: “Magic of Colombia” and “Wonders of Colombia,” spanning seven nights with departures scheduled in the years 2025 through 2027. The Magic of Colombia cruise commences in Barranquilla and concludes in Cartagena, whereas the Wonders of Colombia itinerary takes travelers in the opposite direction.

In summary, AmaWaterways is set to launch the AmaMagdalena in Colombia, with its inaugural sailing rescheduled for early April due to minor delays. The company has taken proactive measures to ensure passenger engagement through excursions in Colombia. With the initiation of new itineraries, AmaWaterways aims to provide distinct and culturally immersive experiences on the Magdalena River, marking a significant moment in river cruising history.

Original Source: www.travelweekly.com