If you like your river cruising with a side of expert commentary, Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways have just published their joint 2028 lineup: 50 departures spread across 15 itineraries, covering Europe's big rivers plus a Mekong option through Vietnam and Cambodia.
Two brand-new eight-day voyages headline the collection. The first, Waterways of Holland and Belgium: Timeless Cities, Art and Heritage, sails Amsterdam-bound travellers to Bruges, Rotterdam and Antwerp, with departures on July 22 and September 2, 2028, from $3,639 per person. The second, Cruising the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, pairs the Rhine with the wine-country Moselle and runs May 31, October 4 and a festive December 23 sailing that crosses into 2029, from $4,759.
The rest of the programme is a who's-who of proven favourites, now with fresh 2028 dates. Tulip-time Holland and Belgium sailings start at $4,439 in April. Paris-to-Normandy Seine cruises begin at $4,379, and a Burgundy and Provence route on the Rhône starts at $4,279. Danube fans get three ways in: an Upper Danube run from Bavaria to Budapest from $3,139 (the cheapest entry point in the collection), a Lower Danube voyage through southeast Europe from $4,429, and two Christmas market cruises — Nuremberg to Budapest from $4,139, Amsterdam to Basel from $4,239 — timed for December stalls and mulled wine.
Further afield, Portugal's Douro Valley starts at $4,079, Provence on the Rhône at $4,739, and a Taste of Bordeaux itinerary from $4,939. For those with more time, a 15-day Grand Danube from Germany to Romania runs from $7,179, and the 16-day Mekong cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia starts at $6,688 with January, February and October–November departures. All prices are per person, double occupancy.
What separates these from standard river cruises is the Smithsonian layer: every sailing includes escorted excursions and the chance to travel alongside Smithsonian Journeys Experts, plus optional pre- and post-cruise land extensions if you want to tack extra days onto a city like Paris, Amsterdam or Budapest. Walter Littlejohn, the organisation's senior vice president, framed the collection as a response to demand for trips that are enriching without being complicated — the ship handles logistics while the experts handle context.
Who is this for? Curious travellers who want structure and substance rather than a party boat: think art, history and wine woven into a week of unpacking once. Booking two years ahead sounds extreme, but the popular departures — especially tulip season and Christmas markets — tend to sell out, and cabin choices shrink fast. If a 2028 date catches your eye, the full schedule and pricing are now public, so it's worth comparing months: shoulder-season sailings like May on the Upper Danube can save over $1,000 versus spring-tulip or holiday departures on other routes.
