AmaWaterways: Soulful Experience River Cruises
AmaWaterways is expanding its popular Soulful Experience river cruises, adding new itineraries in 2025 and 2026 that celebrate Black heritage and culture through immersive travel experiences.
Best of Holland & Belgium (Dec. 27, 2025)
This 7-night sailing aboard the AmaStella is the first Soulful Experience cruise to include Kwanzaa and New Year’s celebrations. Travelers will participate in nightly Kinara candle-lighting ceremonies, cultural programming and an Amsterdam cultural tour. The itinerary also features historic sites in Brussels, Antwerp and Hellevoetsluis.
Enticing Douro (June 13, 2026)
This Portugal-based itinerary offers a special focus on Juneteenth celebrations. The journey begins with a 3-night stay in Lisbon, known for its historical African influences, before embarking on a 7-night cruise along the Douro River aboard the 102-passenger AmaDouro. Guests will enjoy Brazilian and African-inspired cuisine, exclusive shore excursions at local wine estates and performances of Portugal’s traditional fado music.
Riches of the Mekong (Oct. 11, 2026)
This 14-night journey includes a 4-night land extension in Central Vietnam, offering in-depth cultural experiences before sailing through Vietnam and Cambodia on the AmaDara. Travelers will explore UNESCO-listed Hoi An, enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture and experience royal dining in Hue. The cruise also includes stays in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, with excursions that highlight regional Black heritage.
Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas (Dec. 15, 2026)
This Christmas Markets cruise combines festive traditions with cultural connections along the Rhine River. Guests will visit historic holiday markets in Strasbourg and Rüdesheim, experience Black heritage-focused tours and conclude with a two-night stay in Amsterdam.
Each Soulful Experience sailing features handpicked excursions, locally inspired cuisine and evening entertainment that highlights Black history and culture. A
For more information, visit AmaWaterways.com.
Paul Gauguin Cruises 2027 South Pacific Voyages
Paul Gauguin Cruises announced its 2027 voyages exploring the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands and South Pacific on 10 unique itineraries, including the Boutique Crossing Collection, which features three extended journeys between Singapore, Australia, Fiji and Bali.
The m/s Paul Gauguin, accommodating no more than 330 guests, will sail these itineraries following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment debuting in April. Guests who book early can take advantage of reduced fares.
The 7-night journeys will take travelers to spots like Tahiti and the Society Islands. Additional 10-, 11-, and 14-night voyages delve deeper into the Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands and Tonga, while the Boutique Crossing Collection presents three extended journeys through Oceania, Indonesia and Melanesia. Some itineraries include:
- Tahiti & the Society Islands—7 Nights: Sail through French Polynesia’s landscapes, from Taha’a to Moorea, with overnight stays in Bora Bora and Tahiti.
- More Tuamotus & Society Islands—10 Nights: Explore the UNESCO-listed atolls of the Tuamotus, discover Rangiroa and Bora Bora’s lagoon and Moorea’s beaches.
- Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands—14 Nights: A two-week immersive journey featuring the remote Marquesas, Tuamotus and the Society Islands.
Boutique Crossing Collection
For those seeking extended voyages, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers:
- Crossing Oceania: Fiji to Bali (20 Nights): Featuring Vanuatu, Guadalcanal and Komodo National Park.
- Immersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia (13 Nights): Showcasing Java’s cultural wonders and the legendary Komodo dragons.
- Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji (17 Nights): A voyage through Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and concluding in Fiji.
For more information, visit pgcruises.com.
Windstar Cruises Expands UK Presence
Windstar Cruises has announced a new partnership with AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), designating the small-ship cruise line as the official cruise partner of The O2 in London. The collaboration aims to expand Windstar’s brand presence in the UK.
As the world’s busiest live entertainment venue, The O2 hosts over 200 events annually, featuring top-tier performers such as Adele, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé and Drake. The venue has also welcomed major sporting events, including the London 2012 Olympics, NBA games and the Laver Cup.
The sponsorship aligns with Windstar’s strategy to increase visibility within the Anschutz Corporation family, which owns both AEG and Windstar’s parent company, Xanterra Leisure Holding, LLC. As part of the partnership, Windstar’s branding will appear throughout The O2, including a permanent ship model display in The NinetyThird by Qatar Airways, the venue’s premium hospitality space.
To attract British travelers, the cruise line has introduced a selection of itineraries tailored to the market, including 3- and 4-day roundtrip voyages from London’s Tower Bridge, 10-day Canary Islands cruises from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Mediterranean and Greek island sailings and Northern Europe itineraries departing from London.
For more details, visit windstarcruises.com.
