AmaWaterways opens 2028 bookings with four new ships planned
AmaMaria will join the Rhine fleet as AmaWaterways also expands on the Douro and Chobe. Here is what travelers can verify now.
AmaWaterways has opened bookings for 2028 with four new ships in its plans. The additions span the Rhine, Portugal’s Douro and southern Africa’s Chobe. For travelers, that means more choice, but the new vessels should not be treated as one interchangeable product.
Cruise Industry News reports that the group includes AmaMaria on the Rhine, AmaGaia and another vessel on the Douro, and a new Chobe ship joining Zambezi Queen. The report did not name every new vessel. We are leaving those names open rather than assuming that an existing ship will fill the role.
The publication also shared the expansion on X.
AmaMaria has the clearest published specifications
AmaWaterways’ official AmaMaria page lists a 2028 debut, 76 cabins and capacity for 152 passengers. The ship is planned for the Rhine, with twin-balcony cabins among its accommodations. The published image is a rendering, not a photograph of the ship already carrying guests.
| Planned addition | River | Published identity |
|---|---|---|
| AmaMaria | Rhine | Named ship |
| AmaGaia | Douro | Named ship |
| Additional Douro vessel | Douro | Name not stated in report |
| Additional Chobe vessel | Chobe | Name not stated in report |
A new ship can be appealing, but a cabin name is only the start of the comparison. Check the deck plan, cabin position and the exact balcony arrangement on the category you are buying. A ship-wide description does not mean every room has the same layout.
It is also worth separating this launch from AmaWaterways’ wider fleet-growth plans. A long-term target is different from a specific ship and departure that can be booked.
The schedule changes matter as much as the ships
The 2028 plans extend Douro sailing into November and December. AmaCello is also set to offer longer Burgundy and Provence itineraries during July and August. These changes create different ways to use vacation time, beyond the usual question of which ship is newest.
For the Douro, compare daylight, the daily sightseeing schedule and the pace you want from a late-year trip. Do not assume a winter departure offers the same experience as a summer sailing. Ask which tours are included on your date and whether optional visits need advance reservations.
The expansion also includes more land extensions. These can simplify a longer trip, but compare the full package with arranging the same hotel nights yourself. Transfers, guided visits and the location of the hotel may matter more than the headline number of nights.
Our coverage of the Peru and Machu Picchu extension shows why land programs deserve their own close reading.
Book the river experience, not just the launch
River conditions remain a planning factor even on a new vessel. AmaWaterways explains that water levels can lead to adjusted schedules, overland transfers or moves between sister ships. That does not mean your voyage will change, but it is a reason to understand the terms before booking flights.
Ask what happens if the planned ship is unavailable and which parts of the itinerary are guaranteed. Keep the answer with your booking documents. If a particular cabin or port is essential, say so before paying a deposit.
Finally, compare the total trip cost: cruise fare, flights, transfers and any extra hotel nights. The four new ships broaden the choice. The best match is the route, cabin and set of terms that fit your travel plans, whether the hull is new or already in service.