Smithsonian Journeys unveils new river cruises with AmaWaterways
The companies announced their partnership earlier this year and will debut their cruises in the spring. The brands will add cruises in France, Vietnam and Cambodia in 2027, while adding departure dates for itineraries that will premiere next year.
The cruises will feature two onboard experts per voyage, including art historians, archaeologists, scientists and anthropologists.
"We've seen an overwhelmingly positive response from the market, underscoring a growing demand for meaningful and enriching travel," said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys.
AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell said the cruises will inspire curiosity and deepen travel connections to destinations.
Come 2027, the brands will launch two new itineraries: "Grand Waterways of France: Cruising Normandy, Burgundy and Provence" and "Along the Mekong: Charms of Vietnam and Cambodia."
The 15-day France sailing will cruise along three rivers: the Seine, Saone and Rhone. Passengers will visit Omaha Beach, Normandy, Burgundy and Provence. Highlights include visiting Claude Monet's home in Giverny, joining a truffle hunter on his farm and embarking on a Black history tour in Paris.
The Mekong itinerary will last 16 days, combining river and land tours. The seven-night river cruise will introduce passengers to the culture and history of the riverside communities and include visits to temples and silk weavers. The land tours include visits to Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Travelers may choose only the cruise portion of the itinerary.
The brands will return to the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Rhone and Seine in 2027.
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