CRUISE GPS
Community First
Community First
AmaWaterways creates opportunities across Colombia through Make a Miracle.
Since launching its first custom-built ship in 2006, AmaWaterways continues to set the tone in the cruise industry for responsible growth and community-minded travel. In addition to actively expanding its sustainability efforts, AmaWaterways aligns with local communities to ensure positive environmental and cultural impact. One prime example is its work with Make A Miracle, a nonprofit foundation that provides opportunities to under-resourced communities across South America through education, housing, and community programs.
Together, Make A Miracle and AmaWaterways offer such humanitarian and service-focused extensions that can be paired with AmaWaterways’ luxury river cruises on Colombia’s Magdalena River. These specially coordinated experiences combine a river voyage with meaningful volunteer opportunities, inviting guests to participate in community outreach programs, help with local housing builds and infrastructure projects, and provide direct support to under-resourced Colombian communities.
One lasting example of that commitment is the Elevate Community Center in Montería, Colombia. In 2025, AmaWaterways funded the Make A Miracle project through a booking incentive with Travel Elevates, which supports initiatives in popular travel destinations around the world.
“The Elevate Community Center is now a permanent hub dedicated to expanding access to education, technology, and wellness.”
The Elevate Community Center is now a permanent hub dedicated to expanding access to education, technology, and wellness. The center provides classrooms for tutoring, English classes, and mentoring, a computer lab for digital literacy and training, and multipurpose space for children’s and teens’ clubs, counseling sessions, and community events. Parents also benefit from workshops, exercise classes, and free counseling with a staff psychologist, helping to strengthen families and address emotional needs.
The result is a partnership that extends beyond the river itself, connecting travel with tangible community investment in opportunities that are so much more than a single AmaWaterways voyage.
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I began my career in the travel industry in 1972, gaining experience long before computers and travel specialties became the norm. This foundation allowed me to develop as a true “all-around” travel professional. Over the years, I have worked as a Tour Escort, Tour Guide, Travel Agency Manager, and Travel Consultant, giving me a deep, well-rounded understanding of the industry. Today, I am able to seamlessly manage travel ranging from corporate itineraries to the most exclusive high-end leisure experiences—and everything in between. I am a Four Seasons Preferred Partner Advisor and hold certifications for Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Lanai, along with other destinations. These credentials, combined with long-standing vendor relationships, allow me to provide my clients with exclusive benefits, personalized insights, and exceptional value. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to travel extensively and immerse myself in diverse cultures and ways of life. My personal travels incl ...