River cruise operator AmaWaterways has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its European fleet with eight new ships scheduled for delivery by 2030.

This significant investment will grow the company’s global fleet to more than 40 vessels – effectively doubling its vessel count since 2020.

The announcement reflects the rising popularity of river cruising and the strong interest in AmaWaterways’ immersive travel experiences, according to AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell.

“Our expanding fleet is a direct response to the strong demand from guests eager to discover river cruising and Europe’s beautiful rivers,” she said.

Powell emphasised the broader impact of the expansion, calling it “an exciting opportunity for our valued travel advisor partners and us to grow together.” “With each new ship, we will continue to sail our guests to the heart of every destination while delivering the high-touch service, elegant design, and immersive experiences that define AmaWaterways,” she added.

Although AmaWaterways has yet to confirm the exact routes or ship names, it stated that further details will be announced in the coming months.

This latest growth phase positions AmaWaterways to further solidify its strong presence in the river cruise industry. By 2030, with over 40 ships in operation, the cruise line will be one of the largest providers of river cruise experiences in the world.

“These new ships represent exciting opportunities,” said Powell, “and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more guests aboard in the years to come.”

Last month in Sydney, when asked by LATTE about future growth aspirations for the AmaWaterways fleet and where it could be in five years time, Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Global Brand Ambassador for the brand hinted “we may push it to 50”.