The Authentic Cruise Company

Itinerary

Day 1: Barranquilla
Day 2: Nueva Venecia
Day 3: Pinto
Day 3: Santa Cruz de Mompox
Day 4: Santa Cruz de Mompox
Day 5: Santa Cruz de Mompox
Day 5: El Banco
Day 6: Magangué
Day 6: Calamar
Day 7: Cartagena
Day 8: Cartagena
Day 1: Barranquilla

BARRANQUILLA – EMBARKATION. Arrive in Barranquilla and settle into your stateroom as you prepare for your journey along the Magdalena River. In the evening, enjoy a special Carnaval celebration, bringing the full traditional experience exclusively to AmaWaterways’ guests all-year round. Widely considered one of Colombia’s most important folkloric celebrations, the Carnaval of Barranquilla has also been declared a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and you will get to revel in this truly authentic experience as you learn the Carnaval’s motto: Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza (Those who live it are those who enjoy it).

Day 2: Nueva Venecia

NEUVA VENECIA. Visit the Floating Village of Nueva Venecia. A charming town filled with inviting locals, Nueva Venecia, or “New Venice,” can only be navigated by boat. With its beautiful colonial houses, vivid architecture and local sanctuary protecting the native flora and fauna, this town highlights the beauty and warmth of Colombia. While here, explore this village and learn more about the lives of its people during a guided tour. Enjoy the traditional crafts and art that is on display, learn about the techniques the fishermen of Nueva Venecia use, and taste the local delicacies as you embrace this village and its unique culture.

Day 3: Pinto

SANTA BARBARA DE PINTO – MOMPOX. Spend your morning in Santa Barbara de Pinto, located on the banks of the Mompox arm of the Magdalena River. Enjoy a walking tour through this traditional town, where you may see local landmarks such as the Santa Barbara Church and enjoy intricate hand-made crafts created in the town. In the afternoon, arrive in the island town of Mompox, where you will be welcomed with open arms and lively music as local musicians treat you to an exclusive jazz performance.

Day 3: Santa Cruz de Mompox
Day 4: Santa Cruz de Mompox

MOMPOX. A town frozen in time, Mompox embodies the appearance of what many villages looked like during colonial times. Founded in 1540, this remote village became an important Spanish trading post. Some Spaniards found Mompox to be a haven for keeping gold and other treasure protected from the pirates that pillaged coastal cities like Cartagena, and with this precious metal and the work of skilled artisans from Spain came beautifully crafted artifacts. Since then, the town has become famous for its incredible filigree jewelry, which you can learn more about during your tour of this tour in the afternoon. While visiting this unique island, journey through the incredible ecological Cienága Pijiño region, exploring the massive lake that is home to a variety of flora and fauna native to the region. In the afternoon, take a stroll through this storied town on a guided walking tour. With stunning colonial churches, breathtaking nature surrounding the town, and delicious local delights such as capa cheese and butifarra, Mompox is sure to be a highlight of your journey along the magnificent Magdalena River.

Day 5: Santa Cruz de Mompox

MOMPOX – EL BANCO. Bid farewell to in Mompox before embarking on a scenic cruise down one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Magdalena River – La Mojana Region – and reaching the town of El Banco, nestled at the intersection of the Magdalena and César rivers. Founded in a location strategic for both the native people and the Spaniards, the town was repeatedly destroyed in their struggles and then rebuilt atop its ashes. In 1749, a freed black slave named José Domingo Ortiz led a group of settlers to this special location, carrying with him a statue of the Virgin Mary, staking this place as their new home. Because of this connection, the Virgin of Candelaria, a special invocation of the Virgin Mary, is specially venerated in this region. Embark on a guided walking of this incredible destination and learn more about its history as the birthplace of cumbia, an iconic genre of music and dance that has now been popularized around the world. What began as a courtship dance practiced by African slaves later incorporated American steps and European and African instruments has become a world-wide sensation, which is especially popular in the Andean region of Colombia. In the evening, enjoy an exclusive dinner in town and witness an incredible cumbia performance by locals.

Day 5: El Banco
Day 6: Magangué

MAGANGUE – CALAMAR. Witness the sights, hear the bird calls, and watch the wildlife around you as you spend the day in Magangue. Immerse yourself in the presence of Colombian nature surrounding this city on a birdwatching tour, giving you a unique opportunity to see birds only found in this specific part of the country. You can also take a hiking tour through the picturesque cienága. Later in the day, visit Calamar. Located at the entrance of the Canal del Dique, this town was first settled in 1840. Witness historic sites such as the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Conception as you tour this beautiful destination by paolo (a bicycle taxi for two).

Day 6: Calamar
Day 7: Cartagena

CARTAGENA. Start your day by exploring the incredible UNESCO-designated San Felipe Castle, the fortress that defended Cartagena from French and British attacks. As you walk through Cartagena, learn more about emeralds and the impact of these precious gemstones on the city’s history. In the afternoon, delve deeper into the enriching history of this Caribbean city as you visit the Gold Museum, which features ancient gold artifacts from the indigenous cultures found in this region. You will also visit the Caribbean Naval Museum. Follow the story of this fascinating country and its incredible naval history from pre-Hispanic times until the present. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour through the breathtaking Getsemaní neighborhood. With the vibrant colors of the homes and street art as well as the mouthwatering local delicacies that can be found throughout the area, this historic neighborhood will delight all your senses. In the evening, watch the sun set on Cartagena during a special sunset cruise.

Day 8: Cartagena

CARTAGENA – DISEMBARKATION. Bid your ship and crew farewell as you disembark and prepare for your flight home.

Grand Suite
Luxury Suite
Cat. A Stateroom
Cat. B Stateroom
Cat. C Stateroom
Grand Suite

More information coming soon.

Luxury Suite

More information coming soon.

Cat. A Stateroom

More information coming soon.

Cat. B Stateroom

More information coming soon.

Cat. C Stateroom

More information coming soon.

Included Features
Age Restrictions
Smoking Policy
Dietary Requirements
Disabled Facilities
Dress Code
Included Features

  • Warm and welcoming English-speaking crew, professionally
  • trained to deliver unparalleled service
  • Exquisite regionally inspired and Western-style cuisine
  • Intimate specialty dining experience
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks included during lunch and dinner
  • Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Nightly entertainment
  • Fitness room, nail and hair salon, and one massage room
  • offering a variety of services*
  • Sun-deck pool and bar

*Available for a nominal fee

Age Restrictions

Effective immediately, AmaWaterways will only be welcoming guests fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on board its ships. This vaccination requirement also applies to accompanied minors. Guests affected by this decision should contact their travel advisor for options to reschedule their river cruise.

On our programs in Europe and Southeast Asia, children under the age of 4 years old are not permitted on board and children 4-7 years old are not recommended. On our Africa safaris program, due to safety precautions, there is a minimum age limit of 12 years old, unless otherwise agreed upon by AmaWaterways. All guests under the age of 18 are to be in a stateroom with an adult, and must remain supervised at all times, as their safety is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s). Children between the ages of 4 and 10 at the time of embarkation may share a stateroom with 2 adults provided the child is able to share the bed with the adults – no additional bed will be provided. Select ships offer a limited number of staterooms with a fold-out sofa for a triple occupant; we would be happy to guide you through these options when available. A triple occupancy rate will apply for the child sharing the stateroom; pricing can be provided upon request. Please be aware that balcony staterooms of any kind may be unsafe for small children if left unsupervised. AmaWaterways does not provide child-specific programs or child-minding facilities. Please reach out to us if you have any further questions regarding our child policy.

As of March 3, 2022, children 5 and older at time of sailing are still required to be vaccinated however, children that are not yet eligible for the vaccine are able to come onboard if they can provide a negative PCT test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside any of the ships. Smoking is only permitted on the Sun Deck. For the safety and comfort of all passengers on board, your cooperation in observing the no-smoking policy is greatly appreciated.

Dietary Requirements

Please advise your Travel Agent or call us directly to advise if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies prior to embarkation. In most cases, we will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests and food allergies, but with one exception: Kosher. This diet has specific rules regarding food and its preparation and the shipboard environment does have limitations that prevent us from being able to adequately cater to this dietary need. Please note, though we can provide options to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities, we cannot guarantee there will not be any cross-contamination.

Disabled Facilities

Reasonable efforts are made to accommodate the special needs of disabled cruise participants, but no responsibility will be undertaken for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Tour buses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps and cabin doors are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs.

Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on tour buses, due to space limitations. Wheelchair passengers should be aware of these limitations. For safety reasons, passengers in wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports where the ship is at anchor. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, getting on/off tour busses and other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified travel companion must accompany travellers who need assistance.

Dress Code

Comfortable, layered clothing adaptable to changing weather conditions is always advisable for daytime excursions. For the evening, “Casually elegant” attire is recommend and you may want to pack something a little dressier for the Captain’s night/Farewell Dinner – similar to how one would dress to dine at a 5-star restaurant. Comfortable shoes are recommended for excursions and workout clothing if you plan to take part in any wellness activities, active tours or use the onboard gym. Depending on the time of year, clothing that can be layered is highly recommended.

Luna Deck
Cumbia Deck
Salsa Deck
Luna Deck
  • Pool
  • Main Lounge
  • Gym
  • Massage
  • Hair & Nail Salon
  • Stairs
Cumbia Deck
  • Wheel House
  • Reception
  • Main Restaurant
  • Stairs
  • Cat. A Staterooms
  • Luxury Suites
Salsa Deck
  • Grand Suites
  • Luxury Suites
  • Cat. B Staterooms
  • Cat. C Staterooms
  • Stairs

Get in touch with our team to start planning

Call and speak to a member of our experienced team today on +44 (0)1491 528 988 or email info@authenticcruises.co.uk.

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