The beginning of a new year is a perfect opportunity to review personal growth goals and align your travel plans to help meet those goals. Research suggests that regular travel can have long-term health benefits by providing a powerful break from routine, helping to reduce everyday stress, improve overall mental health and boost mood and emotional outlook.
Choosing travel experiences tailored to meet your goals can create a strong sense of personal achievement and well-being.
Whatever your personal goals are for 2025, a river cruise can help you meet them. Here are a few of my recommendations.
If your goal is: Adopt more active lifestyle choices
My Recommendation: Magna on the Danube - With five different types of small group exercise classes each day plus hiking and biking excursions, an expansive Zen Wellness Studio with outdoor spin bikes and a pickleball court all included, AmaMagna’s dedicated Wellness Host will help you discover an exercise routine that sets you on a path to better health when you return home. Or join one of our Celebration of Wellness River Cruises planned for summer 2025 offering enhanced hiking and biking tours and onboard exercise classes.
If your goal is: Pursue a new hobby or enhance your appreciation of a subject
My Recommendation: Join a Celebration of Wine River Cruise, Celebration of Beer River Cruise or a Celebration of Music River Cruise, - On each of these special departures, you’ll enjoy the expert onboard hosts who conduct interactive presentations plus enhanced tours to special venues that are organized to provide lots of opportunities to learn and engage with like-minded travelers!
If your goal is: Enhance personal independence
My Recommendation: Paris & Normandy - River cruising as a solo with AmaWaterways is the perfect balance of independence and security, particularly in a country where you may not speak the language. We take care of all the logistics and our small group excursions, like those to the Beaches of Normandy, help you meet people easily. By adding our pre-cruise land package in Paris, (complimentary on select 2025 and 2026 dates) you’ll get to know your Cruise Manager and make new friends even before your river cruise begins.
If your goal is: Strengthen family ties and special friendships
My Recommendation: Christmas Markets on the Rhine - Gather the extended family together or a group of friends for a week of festive activities with none of the exhausting preparation or cleanup associated with hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year celebrations. Starting as early as mid-November, our ships transform into the most decorated ships on the rivers. With holiday markets and onboard events, these cruises are sure to add a sparkle to everyone’s eye and create treasured memories that last a lifetime.
If your goal is: Break out of your comfort zone
My Recommendation: Secrets of Egypt & the Nile or Charms of the Mekong - Different cultures, languages, incredible ancient history and architecture, there is nothing like these two destinations to heighten your sense of wonderment with the world. Be sure to add pre-cruise land packages in Jordan for Egypt and Siem Reap for the Mekong.
If your goal is: Be more spontaneous
Leave the planning to us (and your travel advisor). Flights, transfers, pre- and post-cruise land packages can all be added to your river cruise and we take care of everything! All you have to do is make sure your passport is valid for six months after your return and your suitcase is packed. We’ll find you a comfortable stateroom on one of our 31 ships exploring the iconic rivers of Europe, Asia, Africa and starting in March 2025, Colombia in South America.
On select departures you may also benefit from our Complimentary Land Offer or Summer Triple Savings.
We have created some lovely videos and short articles to make it easier for you choose your next vacation.
On behalf of your AmaWaterways family, we wish you a healthy and enriching year ahead and we look forward to welcoming you and helping you reach your personal growth goals for 2025.