Currently docked in Hai Minh Shipyard's District 2 in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), Aqua Nera is a one-of-a-kind vessel in the world of small cruise ship expeditions.
Custom-built (following the sisterships Aqua Mekong and Aria Amazon), the state-of-the-art newbuild boat was designed by award-winning Noor Design, inspired by the Peruvian Amazon's black water lagoons and the cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Peru. Each of the twenty design suites and spacious interiors aboard the ship combines refined elegance with a touch of drama.
June 29, 2020, marked the first milestone of Aqua Nera, as she was floated out from drydock in Vietnam. Following the Vietnamese tradition, the launch day was specially chosen based on the Zodiac calendar, wishing good fortune to the new vessel.
The ceremonial inauguration of Aqua Nera was held in a Buddhist blessing tradition with the virtual participation of Francesco Galli Zugaro, Aqua Expeditions’ CEO & Founder, who commended the shipyard workers for their outstanding job building a world-class vessel in the record time of under a year, all the while attaining the highest standards in technology, navigation and safety.
Aqua Nera is scheduled to depart from Vietnam on August 31, making her 35-day voyage from Ho Chi Minh via a reserved heavy-lift transport vehicle and delivered in Belem Brazil, 9233 nautical miles (17100 km) away. After arriving in Brazil, Aqua Nera will go on with her trip to Iquitos, sailing upriver along the Amazon.
Aqua Nera will sail alongside Aria Amazon, taking passengers into the depths of Peruvian Amazon in luxury. The ship is slated to enter service in November 2020 and offer 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries with rates ranging from US$4,125 to US$10,325 per person, double occupancy.