New Rivers and Regions

Last updated October 2026. New-ship dates and deployments come from cruise line announcements and industry coverage and can change. Where a detail has not been announced, we say TBA.

Most river cruises still sail Europe’s classic waterways, but the newest ships and itineraries are reaching rivers far from the Rhine and Danube. These are the regions where we have been able to verify new ships or new programs for 2027–2028.

The Amazon, Brazil

CroisiEurope’s new RV Brasilian Dream, a 32-guest ship designed for eco-tourism, is due to start sailing the Amazon from Manaus in early 2027. Its three routes take in the Rio Negro, the Tapajós River to Santarém, and the upper Amazon to Tabatinga on the border with Colombia.

The Magdalena, Colombia

Colombia’s Magdalena River is one of the newest river cruise regions. AmaWaterways’ 60-guest AmaMagdalena sails it, with 2027 departures listed from Barranquilla and Cartagena and calls at towns such as the colonial river port of Mompox.

Familiar Rivers, New to the Line

• Seine: Emerald Cruises sails the Seine for the first time with Emerald Lumi, and Tauck adds ms Reverie.
• Douro: four new ships for 2027 — Emerald Nova, Scenic Aria, S.S. São Rafael and TUI Luzia — plus Tauck’s ms Saudade.
• Mississippi and Ohio: Viking links the two rivers on its new 15-day New Orleans-to-Louisville journey.
• Rhine and Danube: Celebrity River Cruises makes its debut here.

Is a Far-Flung River Right for You?

Cruising the Amazon, Magdalena or Mekong is a different experience from sailing the Rhine. Ships are usually smaller, ports can be villages rather than cities, excursions often go by skiff or coach, and heat, humidity and long flights are part of the deal. Visas, vaccinations and travel insurance need more planning. In return you see places few travelers reach. Our cruise advisors can help you weigh it up honestly.

What About the Brahmaputra and Other Expedition Rivers?

India’s Brahmaputra, Africa’s Chobe and the Nile remain on the wish lists of adventurous river cruisers, sailed by small expedition-style ships. We have not found verified new-ship announcements for these rivers for 2027 at the time of writing, so we are not listing any. We will add them here as soon as lines confirm.

Low water has affected some Rhine and Danube sailings in recent seasons, leading to ship swaps, route changes or coach transfers. It is one reason some travelers are looking at other rivers — and a good reason to ask how any line handles water levels.