5 Unique Specialty Cruises on AmaWaterways in 2026
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
Specialty cruises are a great way to add to an already great vacation experience and AmaWaterways always seems to shine in these offerings to enhance your trip.
This blog was inspired from a guest post I found on Travel Pulse, and some of the descriptions mirror their basic article but missed a key cruise offering and that spurred me into action!
I also learned today that AmaWaterways has no plans at all to venture into ocean or expedition cruising, as several of the other mainstream river cruise companies are adding this option. I am really happy their focus is continues on river cruising!
So, I thought I’d give you an update on 5 really good options you may want to consider for 2026.
Smithsonian Journeys
AmaWaterways has partnered with Smithsonian Journeys stating with sailings in 2026. Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution and features educational and discovery experiences during select sailings.
There will be 2 experts from the Smithsonian on these special sailings. The will provide lectures, lead discussions, and escort guests on exclusive shore excursions. They may be historians, archaeologists, or artists that will share their knowledge. This is unique and very cool from our perspective!
There are going to be good opportunities to sail on these cruises, and here are a couple of good examples of what this enhanced sailing brings to your luxury vacation:
A private, guided exploration of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum on the 7-nightTulip Time itinerary, including up-close moments with Rembrandt’s masterpieces.
An insider’s tour of the golden-hued Melk Abbey on the 14-night Grand Danube Cruise, where a resident librarian reveals the wonders of medieval manuscripts typically reserved for scholars. AmaWaterways has also sponsored one manuscript’s restoration and that will be included in this unique visit.
There are 33 sailings in 2026 according to my research and they include sailings on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhone.
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum
Melk Abbey
Wine Cruises
Longtime readers of this blog will not be surprised by the many wine cruise themed cruise for 2026—there are over 80 now! We have been on several starting in 2013 and really like them. There is no extra charge for these special sailings—pretty cool!
What makes them special is the smart way they introduce guests to some awesome experiences. These include:
Premier Vineyard and Cellar Tours: You get to discover unique wineries and vineyards, many of which aren’t accessible on standard river journeys. Some are really off the grid of what you could expect from other river cruise lines, and it would be quite hard to experience these places on your own.
Onboard Wine Host: Every cruise is accompanied by a wine professional who hosts tastings and shares their insider knowledge. We have seen this during the 5 or so wine cruises we have experienced and learned good information about wine.
Food and Wine Pairing Dinner: You will get to savor a menu curated to highlight perfect parings between the wine host’s exquisite wines and AmaWaterways gourmet fare, making every bite and sip special. These dinners are really fun and a highlight of the themed cruise, as the pairing really enhances the meal. I think there is no better way to find out if the wines are the right for your palate.
Wine Tasting 2013 Colors of Provence Cruise. Photo Anne Schrader
Desert on the AmaCerto—great way to finish a wine pairing dinner
Mark the former general manager of Ledson Winery prepares for a wine tasting onboard with the bar staff
Great tenderloin meal during a wine themed dinner
Wine Tasting 2023 in Spitz
Celebration of Beer Cruises
While not as popular as the wine cruises, there is a good opportunity to learn about beer during these special cruises. We took one a few years ago, but it is our understanding they have improved since our experience.
Here is what you can expect from these cruises:
Beer-Themed Shore Excursions: Step inside storied breweries like Lahnsteiner Brauerei in Lahnstein, Germany and urban gems like Stadskasteel Oudaen in Utrecht, Netherlands for expert-led tastings and tours.
Onboard Expert Guidance: A local Beer Expert leads interactive sessions, introducing regional brewing histories, styles and flavor profiles while keeping the atmosphere engaging and approachable.
My research shows 3 sailing dates scheduled for 2026. The cruises are Captivating Rhine, Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps, and the Romantic Rhine.
Celebration of Music Cruises
There is an enhanced experience on the musical themed cruises on the Danube, if this is your special interest. Select sailings have a dedicated music host.
Here is what you can expect:
Exclusive Performances: Enjoy a stirring choir recital at Melk’s historic Benedictine abbey and an unforgettable concert in the grandeur of Vienna. The 7-night Celebration of Music Danube Cruise has 14 sailing dates in 2026.
Music-Themed Excursions: Follow in the footsteps of Europe’s great composers with expertly guided city tours and behind-the-scenes access to Budapest’s ornate Hungarian State Opera House.
Expert Music Host: Selected sailings are hosted by seasoned performers or scholars, whose stories and insights add depth to each experience.
Inside Melk Abbey
Mozart’s Birthplace in Salzburg Austria
Budapest Opera House
Soulful Experiences
Perhaps the most unique of the specialty cruises are the Soulful Experiences. Thes cruises include curated tours and experiences in Europe, Africa, Asia and Columbia. Our great friend Jazzmine Douse developed these sailings for AmaWaterways, and they are a spectacular success by selling out quickly.
These cruises focus on celebrating Black heritage, culture and history during the sailings.
My research reveals that there are presently 5 sailings in 2026 and there will be more in 2027, but the schedule is not firm yet, as 4 are currently listed, but I expect that to expand.
Here is a list of 3 new sailings for 2026: Enticing Douro; Riches of the Mekong; and Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas.
They will continue the French and the Nile cruises that were sold out for 2025.
2 days ago, AmaWaterways announced a new partnership with James Beard award winning chef Alexander Smith, who will create a Signature Juneteenth Dinner.
Jazz on the AmaMagna during the 2023 ASTA River Cruise Expo
Our Final Thoughts
It is important to recognize that many of us have special interests, and the themed cruises add the beauty of the river to your experience. AmaWaterways is unmatched in themed cruises, and since no two cruisers are the same, consider taking one of these specialized cruises to pursue you interests—tell them Anne and Hank recommended them!.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision-making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you with high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). His last major certificate is a Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certificate earned from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent
