AmaWaterways has announced three new opportunities in 2024 for guests to celebrate the African and Black diaspora on themed Soulful Epicurean Experience sailings.

The river cruise line says that due to the overwhelming demand for the first-ever Soulful Epicurean Experience on the Rhône River in France, embarking August 24, 2023, two new June departure dates have been announced for that itinerary.

The special journeys include the Colors of Provence cruise plus three nights in Paris. Also added for 2024 is a Soulful Epicurean Experience in Egypt on Secrets of Egypt & The Nile itinerary starting in Cairo on May 17, 2024.

AmaWaterways says the unique experiences available during the cruise and land packages invite travellers to discover and celebrate important aspects of Black history and culture unique to each country visited.

“We are fortunate to work with many travel advisors in the Black community who advised and encouraged us to develop these special interest cruises celebrating Black history and culture,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president.

“As our first Soulful Epicurean Experience cruise in France scheduled for 2023 sold out almost immediately, we are proud to give our global family additional opportunities in 2024 to celebrate and appreciate the diverse Black heritage found in France and Egypt.”

Secrets of Egypt & The Nile, Soulful Epicurean Experience

For the first time ever, AmaWaterways’ is pairing its Soulful Epicurean Experience with its 11-night Secrets of Egypt & The Nile itinerary starting in Cairo on May 17, 2024. In addition to the seven-night river cruise onboard the 72-passenger AmaDahlia, guests will enjoy three nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo.

The seven-night river cruise onboard AmaDahlia sails roundtrip from Luxor visiting Edfu, Aswan, Esna, Kom Ombo, and Qena and includes daily immersive tours and onboard experiences that shine light on the country’s vast African history and its regional delicacies. Guests also have the one-of-a-kind opportunity to visit a Nubian Village and meet the people who continue to carry the traditions of their ancestors that once ruled Egypt.

Small group tours on this sailing will be guided by experienced Egyptologists and include visits to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Karnak and Luxor temples, as well as a papyrus making class. Travellers will also have experiences unique to AmaWaterways, such as a private lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace and a private tour of the Queen Nefertari tomb.

Colors of Provence, Soulful Epicurean Experience

AmaWaterways’ Colors of Provence river cruise itinerary is set to welcome guests again in 2024 for two Soulful Epicurean Experience on board AmaKristina. The seven-night cruises will start or end (depending on the departure date) with a three-night land package in Paris, where many famous Black artists, writers and entertainers made history. While exploring the City of Light, travellers will dive deep into Black culture during a specially curated Josephine Baker excursion and a “Black History of Paris” city tour.

As AmaWaterways’ guests sail along the Rhône River between Lyon and Arles, they will enjoy a variety of experiences exclusive to this special itinerary that shine a light on Black heritage both onboard and ashore.

The guided tours, including a full-day Black Heritage Tour in Marseille, will showcase the region’s best jazz, food and wine so travellers can fully immerse themselves into the rich cultural history. These two unique Colors of Provence 10-night journeys will begin either in Arles on June 13, 2024 cruising to Lyon and finishing in Paris on June 23, or guests can start with the Paris land package on June 17, and conclude in Arles on June 27.

On both of these sailings, AmaWaterways says guests can look forward to enjoying nightly entertainment alongside like-minded guests who share a passion for discovering Black culture.