Aqua Blu

MV Aqua Blu cruise ship is a premium yacht designed by Cor D Rover BV (Amsterdam Holland-based yacht exterior and interior design studio). The ship was previously named HMS Beagle (British Royal Navy survey vessel built in 1968) and drydock reconstructed and refurbished in 2018-2019 before entering service for the new shipowner Aqua Expeditions. Aqua Blu's fleet mates are the riverboats Aqua Nera (2020, on Peruvian Amazon), Aqua Mekong (2014, on Mekong River) and Aria Amazon (2010, Peruvian Amazon).

Scheduled for inauguration in November 2019, this is first coastal cruise ship of Aqua Expeditions as well as the first long-range expedition-class cruise yacht permanently based in Southeast Asia's East Indonesian Archipelago. Currently, the top-luxury ship is owned by Aqua Expeditions (2008-founded, Singapore-based cruise travel company).

This vessel has the highest classifications - by ISM (International Safety Management), RINA Group (Registro Italiano Navale) and SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). The ship features Quantum Zero Speed stabilizers providing comfort while in motion (cruising) or at rest (anchored or berthed). The vessel also has two Zodiac 4.2m RIB rescue boats (powered by Mariner 25 HP engines), modern radio comms, satellite phone, separate battery pack (emergency power), flares/signals, automatic defibrillator. Each cabin is fitted with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Launch boats (used for passenger tendering, landings and shoreside excursions) include two Alson Flash 750 (powered Evinrude E-Tech 225hp engines) with capacity 10 passengers each. Also complimentary are provided sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, diving and snorkeling gear (scuba tanks, masks, fins). Certified guides lead all diving tours.

Rarely found on yachts facilities is the Sun Deck's outdoor plunge pool and the Spa (treatment rooms for massages). Among the 25 crew are Cruise Director, Dive Instructor and four tour guides.

• Sun Deck (deck 5) offers 360-degree sea views and houses an outdoor BBQ/barbecue seating area with wraparound lounge sofas and umbrellas. This is also the location for morning yoga classes, evening grill parties and night stargazing.
• Bridge Deck (deck 4) houses the Navigation Bridge (aka Wheelhouse), an aft-located outdoor Jacuzzi (large whirlpool hot-tub), lounge beds, Gym (with modern fitness equipment) and indoor Spa (Balinese massages and aromatherapy provided by certified staff). Bridge Deck also houses Category 1 cabins.
• Forecastle Deck (deck 3) houses the Sky Lounge Bar, Library and TV Room. Meals are served at the aft-located alfresco dining and seating area. Forecastle Deck also houses Category 1 cabins.
• Main Deck (Lobby/deck 2) houses the ship entrance, Reception (24-hour Guest Services Desk), Dining Room/Bar Salon (serving refined Indonesian-inspired cuisine), as well as cabins categories 2 and 3.
• On Lower Deck (deck 1) are located all staff/crew cabins as well as passenger cabins in categories 2 and 3.

mv Aqua Blu cruise prices are inclusive of all meals onboard, all excursions, beverages (non-alcoholic, house wine, beer), the transfers to/from the boat (with the recommended flights).

Staterooms

The Aqua Blu yacht has a total of 15 oceanview/outside staterooms across 4 decks and in 3 suite grades. The ship has 2 "family cabins" (with interconnecting doors) - room pairs 401-402 and 301-302. All cabins are with modern furnishing, large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), wall-mounted reading lamps, bedside cabinets with lamps, premium laminate flooring, en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower, overhead rain shower, natural organic bath- and hair products).

• Category 1 (sized 25-31 m2 / 270-335 ft2) includes 5 suites, 2 of which are on Bridge Deck and 3 on Forecastle Deck. These suites are with King-size bed (non-convertible to twins), interior sofa, lounge area (in select cabins), walk-in closet (room 302), large round windows (room 301) or large rectangular windows (all other Category 1 suites).
• Category 2 (sized 22-31 m2 / 235-335 ft2) is with porthole (oval-shaped non-opening window and includes 7 suites, 4 of which are on Main Deck and 3 on Lower Deck. These suites are with King-size bed (convertible to twins), interior sofa, lounge area (select cabins).
• Category 3 (sized 12-14 m2 / 130-150 ft2) includes 3 suites, 1 of which is on Main Deck and 2 are on Lower Deck. These suites are with round-shaped small porthole windows (non-opening) and twin beds (non-convertible to double).

MV Aqua Blu Indonesia cruise itinerary

Aqua Expeditions Aqua Blu cruises through East Indonesia's islands, leaving from homeports Ambon (Maluku Islands), Labuan Bajo and Maumere (Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara), and Sorong (Raja Ampat). The ship is deployed in the region for year-round operations.

The 7-day coastal cruise itineraries primarily serve 3 destinations - Raja Ampat (December through February, with 10 departures per year), Bali-Komodo National Park (April through September, 23 departures), and Ambon and Spice/Maluku Islands (October through November, 7 departures).

With Aqua Blu, Aqua Expeditions customers can travel to some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the Coral Triangle - tropical waters and islands part of Indonesia, Malaysia, PNG, Philippines, Solomon Islands and East Timor. Select 12-day cruise tour itineraries are operated with 4 departures per year, each featuring a different/custom-made route. Prices for 7- and 12-day Aqua Blu cruises range between USD 7525-16475 per person (double occupancy cabin rates).

In February 2021, Aqua Expeditions partnered with NIHI Sumba (Luxury Beach Resort Indonesia/Private Villas) to create an exotic cruisetour to East Indonesia's remote islands and seas. Departing from homeport Benoa Bali, the superyacht Aqua Blu combines a 4-night private charter cruising in Komodo National Park (Lesser Sunda Islands) with a 3-night stay at NIHI Sumba's luxury villas. The itinerary visits Sumba Island, Moyo Island, Gili Lawah Island (diving), Padar Island (hiking) and Horseshoe Bay (between Pulau Rinca and Pulau Kode). At NIHI Sumba, Aqua Expeditions offers activities like paddling on Wanukaka River, mountain biking in the jungles, swimming with horses, shore rides (Nihiwatu Beach).

Following the pause due to the COVID crisis, the yacht restarted operations on April 30, 2022, with 7-night roundtrips from Bali/Benoa to Komodo NP.