Centurion, Spring 2020
“The expedition has opened up a part of the world my fellow passengers and I might never have been able to truly appreciate. For us, these waters, like the whale sharks, dolphins and mantas that call them home, have become a living, breathing organism – one eminently worthy of protection. Glass in hand, my gaze fixed on the brilliant tableau of colours of the sky as the sun casts the day’s last light, the importance of the voyage I find myself on – this journey through one of the greatest gardens of our world – comes into sharper focus.”
Departures, Spring 2020
“The route crossed waters generally seen only from rickety fishing and dive boats: north of the Lesser Sunda Islands and across the Banda Sea, up to the otherworldly equatorial islands at Indonesia’s remote eastern limit, where the ocean teems with some of the richest marine biodiversity on earth.”
Aqua Blu Virtuoso Life March/April 2020
“But on the Aqua Blu, you won’t find shipmates huddled over marine-life checklists on a clothesline of swimsuits and rash guards dripping in the sun. Consider it a dive into Indonesia’s top cultural and natural attractions for the macchiato, megayacht set.”
Singapore Tatler Feb 2020
“Aqua Blu’s history and the destination really inspired me. It became about striking a balance between keeping the ship’s soul and bringing it more up to date”
Financial Times – HowToSpendIt – Jan 2020
“The ride would be smooth, sleek and utterly 21st-century. But the adventure – a solitary boat, going to places the others can’t – would be as old as Indonesia itself.”
Vogue Living Jan/Feb 2020
“The Aqua Mekong was something of a trendsetter when it was launched in 2014 with one-to-one crew-to-guest ratios, contemporary interiors by Saigon-based Noor Design, and the coup of having celebrated chef David Thompson supervise the ship’s superb pan-Asian menus – Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese – which are created using local seafood and produce and served shared-plate style.”
Starboard Dec Issue
“And while it’s clearly of the same family, Aqua Blu is one-of-a-kind with a scheme that honours its heritage yet instils a sense of place.”
Sundowner Aug Sep Issue
“Dark wood panelling hallmarks the Chinese junk-style exterior, but once inside, space is key – especially in the 16 exquisite suites created by the renowned Peruvian designer, Jordi Puig.”
Singapore Tatler May Issue
“After a recent trip up the Mekong on the Aqua Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, I’ve become a convert to the luxury segment of small to medium-sized vessels, joining an entirely new niche market of luxury travellers who are looking for a more intimate and enriching experience.”
Lonely Planet Mar Issue
“There’s not a single porthole to peer out of on the Aria Amazon miniature cruise ship – its 16 suites all have polished floor-to-ceiling windows, to ensure passengers don’t miss the three-toad sloths and pink dolphins winking at them as they pass.”
Suitcase Magazine
“With capacity for only ten passengers each, not only is the intimate guide-to-guest ratio favorable, but they also provide access to offshore destinations and to shallower parts of the river that many other luxury cruises can’t reach. Consequently, the excursions on offer are intimate, diverse and immersive, taking full advantage of the region’s rich biodiversity and strong cultural heritage. “
Sawubona – South Africa
“An Amazon river cruise on the Aria Amazon will take you deep into the Peruvian jungle in five-star luxury.”
Wanted – South Africa
“Gillian McLaren hits the bucket-list big-time on a thoroughly exotic, luxury adventure along the Amazon River with Aqua Expeditions.”
Conde Nast Traveller – UK
“One of the high points of the trip is visiting a Buddhist temple, where we speak to a pair of monks, who then bless us individually and give out good faith bracelets. Afterwards, a speed boat whisks us off to a sandy stretch of riverbank where a makeshift bar has been set up, just in time for the sunset. It’s the perfect moment to reflect on a trip that offers an incredible chance to delve deeper into this fascinating country.”
Cruise International – UK
“Aqua Expeditions specializes in river ship cruises and sails the Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam as well as the Amazon, with its two boutique ships, Aqua Mekong and Aria Amazon.”
National Geographic Traveler – USA
“Lima top chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino has teamed up with river cruise operator Aqua Expeditions to support sustainable fishing practices in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, where the Aria Amazon sails.”
QANTAS – Australia
“A short Cruise is an excellent way for first-timers to test the waters”
Starboard – UK
“Seeking to explore remote and culturally important destinations on the world’s greatest rivers, the inaugural vessel, Aria Amazon, entered service in 2011… targeting adventurers who want an authentic experience without sacrificing creature comforts.”
Hello! Fashion Monthly – UK
“A riverboat holiday is this generation’s answer to the traditional cruise (with not a purple-rinsed roller in sight), and the newly-refreshed Aria is pure luxury.”
Virtuoso Traveler – USA
“Aqua Expeditions; consulting chef takes over the galley on the 32-passanger Aria Amazon during a five-day round–trip Iquitos voyage. Departures: March 18 and November 18, 2019; from $5,400.”
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