AmaWaterways has delayed the debut of the AmaMagdalena in Colombia to early April.
The inaugural sailing was scheduled for March 15 but was delayed due to "a couple of small things that are holding us back," said company co-founder and chief brand ambassador Kristin Karst.
AmaWaterways plans to sail two ships on the Magdalena, a river where passenger cruises last happened more than 50 years ago, according to AmaWaterways. The company announced its Magdalena plans in 2021.
Passengers who were scheduled to sail on the AmaMagdalena still chose to visit Colombia, Karst said, and are exploring the country and Magdalena River via excursion boats. Travelers are staying in Cartagena and are visiting Palenque, which was founded by Africans who escaped slavery and was the first "free town" in the Americas, and Barranquilla, a city known for its Carnival celebration, Karst said.
The company recently hired eight cruise managers for the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, which is scheduled to enter service in June. AmaWaterways has opened an office in Barranquilla with about 10 employees, Karst said.
The AmaMagdalena had been slated to sail last November, but the debut was pushed back to March 15, with co-founder and CEO Rudi Schreiner explaining that "challenges that are simply part of being pioneers."
"This is the first time a major river cruise line is offering a journey of this nature on the Magdalena River," Schreiner said at the time. "Opening a new river to the world is not easy, but it's exactly these kinds of bold steps that allow us to offer our guests new experiences."
AmaWaterways is offering two itineraries for Colombia sailings: Magic of Colombia and Wonders of Colombia. The seven-night cruises have departure dates in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
The Magic of Colombia itinerary begins in Barranquilla and ends in Cartagena, while the Wonders of Colombia sailings will start in Cartagena and end in Barranquilla. AmaWaterways' website lists a Magic of Colombia sailing for April 5.