Smithsonian Journeys Adds 42 River Cruises for 2027
Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways will expand their alliance with 42 departures in 2027, taking inquisitive travelers beyond Europe's marquee rivers to Vietnam and Cambodia. The program layers Smithsonian-curated lectures and small-group excursions onto AmaWaterways' upscale ships, with every sailing offering optional land stays led by an AmaWaterways cruise manager. Fares start at $3,699 per person for eight-day tulip-time sailings and climb to $8,759 for a 15-day triple-river tour of France. Smithsonian Journeys senior vice-president Walter Littlejohn said early demand for the 2026 launch proved "a growing appetite for meaningful, enriching travel."
Key Points
- Why it matters: Adds scholar-led content to already popular river cruise itineraries.
- Travel impact: 42 dates give advisors fresh inventory during a capacity-tightening Europe season.
- What's next: Bookings open today; Mekong sailings broaden the partnership to Southeast Asia.
- Optional land packages deepen cultural immersion.
- From tulip time to Christmas markets, seasonality spans the full calendar.
Snapshot
The 2027 schedule features 11 itineraries on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhône, plus debut programs in France and along the Mekong. Durations range from eight to 17 days, each staffed by two Smithsonian experts who deliver daily talks and join exclusive excursions. All voyages include beer and wine with meals, Wi-Fi, gratuities for onboard staff and bicycles for independent touring. Guests can add pre- or post-cruise stays in cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Munich and Siem Reap, handled by AmaWaterways' tour office. Early-bird savings of up to $750 per stateroom apply when booked by December 31, 2025.
Background
When the two brands announced their first joint sailings earlier this year, the 2026 roster sold briskly, filling premium cabins months ahead of schedule. Smithsonian Journeys brings 50 years of educational travel experience and a stable of subject-matter scholars; AmaWaterways supplies purpose-built vessels, including the spacious AmaMagna class. By weaving daily lectures, Q-and-As and exclusive shore events into a traditional river cruise framework, the partnership targets well-educated travelers seeking depth without sacrificing comfort. The expanded 2027 lineup mirrors that original concept while pushing into new geography, notably the Mekong, where AmaWaterways already operates the 124-guest AmaDara. Full details appear on the Smithsonian Journeys program page.
Latest Developments
Grand Waterways of France debuts multi-river epic
Launching April 22, 2027, the 15-day "Grand Waterways of France" threads the Seine, Saône and Rhône on a double-ship itinerary. Guests embark in Paris for seven nights aboard AmaLyra, disembarking at Le Havre to tour Normandy's D-Day beaches before boarding a high-speed TGV to Lyon. There they transfer to AmaKristina for a southbound Rhône voyage that finishes in Arles, gateway to Provence's Roman ruins and lavender fields. Pricing starts at $8,759 double occupancy and includes two nights at a boutique hotel in Dijon's wine country. Culinary highlights feature a private tasting in Beaune and a Provençal-style market visit with the ship's chef.
Mekong expansion taps Southeast Asia demand
Responding to soaring interest in long-haul river cruising, the new 17-day "Along the Mekong: Charms of Vietnam and Cambodia" pairs a week aboard AmaDara with land stays in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City. Smithsonian experts will focus on Khmer archaeology and modern Vietnamese history, complementing visits to Angkor Wat and the Cu Chi tunnels. Three departures-January 1, February 15 and November 1-start at $5,299, undercutting many luxury competitors while offering similar inclusions. AmaWaterways' shallow-draft vessel allows docking at smaller Mekong villages, enabling travelers to witness traditional silk weaving and Buddhist blessings rarely accessible on mainstream tours.
Analysis
The broadened program underscores two trends reshaping the river cruise sector. First, cultural depth is becoming a differentiator as hardware improvements plateau; tying each voyage to Smithsonian scholars satisfies travelers who want more than scenery and wine tastings. Second, capacity in Europe is tightening. By adding dates now, AmaWaterways secures valuable pier slots while giving advisors longer lead time to market 2027 inventory. The Grand Waterways of France itinerary cleverly links three rivers into a single journey, maximizing ship utilization during shoulder seasons when water levels can disrupt standalone Seine or Rhône schedules. Meanwhile, Mekong demand shows no sign of cooling. Competitors such as Viking and Avalon have boosted lift, yet premium product remains limited. Smithsonian branding should resonate with North American guests wary of unfamiliar destinations, offering intellectual capital and perceived safety. Pricing lands in the upper-mid tier-above mass-market lines but below boutique ships-positioning the product for affluent yet value-minded travelers. If bookings trend as they did for 2026, expect additional departures and perhaps a Nile or Magdalena rollout under the same academic umbrella.
Final Thoughts
For travelers craving expert insight without sacrificing creature comforts, the 2027 Smithsonian Journeys river cruises collection delivers breadth, depth and fresh geography. With reservations now open, cabins on marquee dates-especially tulip time and Christmas markets-are likely to vanish quickly. Advisors should act early, leveraging the program's built-in scholar access and comprehensive land options to upsell pre- and post-cruise stays. Whether sipping Bordeaux, cycling Bavarian villages or watching dawn rise over Angkor Wat, guests can expect intellectually rich exploration wrapped in AmaWaterways' reliable service. Booking sooner secures the best staterooms and locks in launch-year pricing on these scholar-led river cruise itineraries.