AmaWaterways Plans to Grow Fleet to Over 50 Ships by 2032

AmaWaterways has set out a fleet plan that would grow the river cruise operator to more than 50 ships worldwide by 2032, a program the company describes as its largest expansion to date. The outline calls for 15 new vessels in Europe and capacity growth outside Europe of more than 60 percent, driven by newbuilds and expansion work across Africa and Asia.

The company currently operates 31 ships. Under the long-range plan, AmaWaterways expects “multiple new ships each year” through the rest of the decade, with several debut years and rivers already assigned and other ships still awaiting full delivery and itinerary details. No executive quotes were included in the available announcement details.

How the expansion builds on AmaWaterways’ current pipeline

AmaWaterways’ growth program includes ships previously announced for entry into service in 2027 on the Rhine, Danube, and Mekong, alongside newly confirmed additions across Europe. The plan also targets demand in emerging river cruise regions, including Portugal, Egypt, and Southeast Asia’s Mekong River, while continuing to develop its Africa offerings.

Europe: new ships planned across the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, and Douro

Europe remains AmaWaterways’ core market, and the company’s expansion plan includes eight confirmed new ships plus seven additional newly confirmed vessels. AmaWaterways has also indicated that some of its newly confirmed European newbuilds are set to mirror the designs and layouts of existing ships, an approach that can shorten development timelines while keeping the onboard product consistent.

Danube: a second double-width ship

On the Danube, AmaWaterways plans to add AmaRudi in 2027 as its second double-width ship following AmaMagna. AmaRudi is planned to accommodate 196 guests across 98 staterooms.

Rhine: a new ship based on an existing design

For the Rhine, AmaWaterways has AmaFiora scheduled to debut in 2027. The ship is planned to follow the design and layout of AmaSofia and will have 76 staterooms.

France: AmaClara planned for the Rhone and Saone

AmaClara is planned to enter service on France’s Rhone and Saone rivers as part of the European build program. The ship is expected to carry 156 guests across 78 suites and staterooms and is expected to measure 443 feet.

The ship is planned to follow the design approach used on AmaKristina, which was named for AmaWaterways co-founder Kristin Karst. Cabin plans include the line’s twin balcony layouts (a French balcony paired with a separate outdoor veranda) as well as a smaller number of entry-category staterooms on the lowest accommodation deck with fixed windows. Public spaces are planned to include a main restaurant and a Chef’s Table venue, along with wellness and leisure facilities such as a fitness room and a sun deck area.

AmaWaterways has not yet announced AmaClara’s inaugural sailing date or its first itinerary.

Portugal: a fourth Douro ship targeted for spring 2028

In Portugal, AmaWaterways is expanding on the Douro River with AmaGaia, scheduled to debut in spring 2028. The ship will become the company’s fourth Douro vessel, joining AmaVida (launched in 2013), AmaDouro (debuted in 2019), and AmaSintra (launched in 2025).

AmaGaia is planned as a custom-built Douro ship designed around the river’s depths and dimensions and is expected to be slightly smaller than AmaWaterways’ larger European river ships. The ship is designed with 51 river-facing cabins, with most staterooms featuring either French balconies or walk-out verandas; lower-deck cabins are planned with fixed windows, while higher-category accommodations include larger suites.

• Capacity and staffing: 102 passengers and 38 crew members.
• Size: 260 feet.
• Public spaces: A main restaurant, panoramic lounge, small gym and massage room, and a sun deck pool.
• Accessibility: Elevators are planned to serve accommodation decks, while the sun deck is accessed by stairs.

AmaWaterways has not yet published the exact date or itinerary for AmaGaia’s maiden voyage. The ship is expected to operate two seven-night programs: a round-trip Porto itinerary calling on Regua, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Pinhao, and Lamego, and a wine-focused program marketed around tastings and wine experiences (including port wine experiences) that sails Porto to Vega de Terron (or in reverse). Both programs are designed to be combinable with optional pre-cruise stays in Lisbon or Madrid.

Egypt: plans to double Nile operations to four ships by 2028

AmaWaterways is expanding its Egypt program with two additional ships planned for the Nile, a move that would bring its Nile fleet to four vessels by 2028. AmaNubia is scheduled to debut in fall 2026, while AmaCleo is planned to follow in 2028, joining existing ships AmaLilia and AmaDahlia.

AmaNubia is planned as a 76-passenger ship with 38 staterooms and is expected to incorporate design elements inspired by Egyptian artistry and materials while retaining familiar AmaWaterways features from its European fleet. The accommodations are planned to include multiple suite categories, including an Owner’s Suite that spans the width of the vessel at the bow and incorporates the line’s twin balcony concept.

AmaNubia’s maiden voyage is set for September 26, 2026, on the 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary. The program combines a seven-night round-trip cruise from Luxor with a hotel stay in Cairo, with guided visits built around major sites including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, the pyramids, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

• Ship size and staffing: 236 feet, 76 passengers, and 65 crew members.
• Facilities: A main restaurant, Chef’s Table dining, lounge and bar, gym, massage room, and a sun-deck pool.
• Vertical circulation: An elevator is planned to serve passenger decks, while the sun deck is reached by stairs.

Africa and Asia: additional capacity on the Chobe and Mekong

Outside Europe, AmaWaterways has tied its long-range growth plan to new capacity in Africa and Asia. In Africa, the company is strengthening its Chobe River program, with plans for an additional ship and further development work toward a second Chobe vessel to operate alongside the Zambezi Queen.

In Asia, AmaWaterways is continuing to expand on the Mekong River. AmaMaya is scheduled to launch in 2027 and is planned to have 60 staterooms, with a design that incorporates regional inspiration aligned with the Indochine heritage referenced in the ship’s concept.

Ship design and onboard updates linked to the newbuild program

AmaWaterways has framed part of its expansion around updates to ship design and the onboard product. Across multiple newbuilds, the company is continuing its use of twin balcony staterooms, which combine a French balcony with a separate walk-out veranda.

On the culinary side, AmaWaterways has outlined enhancements intended to roll out across sailings, including an expanded selection of included wines (more than 30 labels per sailing) and added dining options. The line has pointed to Italian-themed lunches in the Chef’s Table venue, an all-day lounge dining concept called Savor at The Lark, and signature dinners created by AmaWaterways’ culinary director, chef Robert Kellerhals.

With the expansion timeline running through 2032, near-term milestones include AmaNubia’s first departure on September 26, 2026, followed by multiple ships scheduled to arrive across Europe and Asia in 2027 and additional debuts targeted for 2028, including AmaGaia on the Douro and AmaCleo on the Nile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will AmaNubia enter service?

AmaNubia is scheduled to debut in fall 2026, with its maiden voyage set for September 26, 2026. The first sailing will operate the 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary, combining a seven-night round-trip cruise from Luxor with hotel stays in Cairo and guided visits to major sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, the pyramids, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

What are the highlights of AmaGaia’s expected itineraries on the Douro River?

AmaGaia is expected to sail two seven-night programs centered on Porto. One is a round-trip Porto itinerary with calls including Regua, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Pinhao, and Lamego. The other is a wine-focused itinerary marketed around wine experiences and tastings, sailing Porto to Vega de Terron (or in reverse), and designed to be combinable with optional pre-cruise stays in Lisbon or Madrid.

What makes AmaWaterways’ twin balcony staterooms distinctive?

The company’s twin balcony layout combines two features in one cabin: a French balcony and a separate walk-out veranda. AmaWaterways has said many of its new vessels will continue to incorporate this stateroom style, including suite designs planned for AmaNubia.

What is the planned size and capacity of AmaClara?

AmaClara is planned to measure 443 feet and accommodate 156 guests across 78 suites and staterooms. The ship is expected to operate on France’s Rhone and Saone rivers, though AmaWaterways has not yet announced the inaugural sailing date or first itinerary.

What dining updates are AmaWaterways linking to its expansion?

AmaWaterways has outlined an expanded selection of included wines (more than 30 labels per sailing) alongside added dining options such as Italian-themed lunches in the Chef’s Table venue and an all-day lounge dining concept called Savor at The Lark. The company has also tied parts of the culinary program to signature dinners created by its culinary director, chef Robert Kellerhals.