AmaWaterways
AmaMagdalena
- Cruises
- 26
- From
- $3,549
Ship comparison
AmaMagdalena vs Scenic Spirit
Scenic
Scenic Spirit
- Cruises
- 23
- From
- $4,366
The verdict
Which should you choose?
AmaMagdalena is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 63 passengers, in service since 2025. Scenic Spirit is an intimate Scenic ship carrying 68 passengers, in service since 2016. AmaMagdalena has no specs yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold. Scenic Spirit has no specs yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.
Choose AmaMagdalena if you want a newer ship, more of a party or a lower starting fare: it outscores Scenic Spirit for party (4.5 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 2016) and its cruises start from $3,549 (vs $4,366).
Choose Scenic Spirit if you want more crew per passenger, better-rated entertainment or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores AmaMagdalena for entertainment (7.0 vs 5.0) and family friendly (4.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has a crew member for every 1.4 passengers (vs 2.1).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| AmaMagdalena | Scenic Spirit | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways | Scenic |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2016 |
| Passengers | 63 | 68 |
| Crew | 30 | 50 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.1 | 1.4 (better) |
| Decks | 3 | 5 |
| Length | 223 ft | 279 ft |
| Beam | 43 ft | — |
| Speed | 10 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | — | 10 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 26 | 23 |
| Upcoming sailings | 317 | 131 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 15 nights | 10 to 27 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $3,549 (better) | $4,366 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. AmaMagdalena leads on 4 of the ten, Scenic Spirit on 4, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
AmaWaterways
AmaMagdalena
When it launches on March 15, 2025, the 60-passenger AmaMagdalena is due to be the first major river ship designed to sail on the Magdalena River in Colombia.
Sailing now
26 cruises on sale, from $3,549.
Scenic
Scenic Spirit
Scenic's luxury river cruise ship Scenic Spirit features upscale cruising in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos along the Mekong River as well as to Halong Bay, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) and other exotic locations.
Sailing now
23 cruises on sale, from $4,366.
Questions
AmaMagdalena or Scenic Spirit?
Which ship is newer, AmaMagdalena or Scenic Spirit?
AmaMagdalena is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2016 for Scenic Spirit.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Scenic Spirit, with one crew member for every 1.4 passengers against one for every 2.1 on AmaMagdalena.
Which is better for families?
Scenic Spirit scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 3.0 for AmaMagdalena.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about AmaMagdalena, Scenic Spirit or a ship that suits you better.