Let’s Talk Turkey (or, rather, sea bass)

Aqua Expeditions’ New Culinary Cruises

World Renown Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino

In honor of Thanksgiving, we turn our attention to thoughts of a culinary kind (because, really, if we’re honest, we think about food a lot . . . maybe even obsessively). For most of us, one of the greatest joys of travel is eating—so our interest/palate is peaked by these new cruises from Aqua Expeditions.

In keeping with their tradition of selecting world-renowned chefs to curate the onboard cuisine, Aqua Expeditions selected Australia’s Benjamin Cross to plan the menus for their new ocean-going Aqua Blu. Trained by Sydney’s best culinary talents—Neil Perry at Rockpool and Janni Kyritsis at MG Garage—Cross went on to co-found the award-winning Urbane in Brisbane. Next came work at Barcelona’s three-Michelin-star Can Fabes, as well as at Tom Colicchio’s Craft in New York prior to opening his own three restaurants in Bali. 

For the Aqua Blu, Cross has masterfully created over 100 recipes that showcase flavors drawn from the ancient Spice Route from Africa to the Middle East and Asia, highlighting Indonesia’s role in the 16th- and 17th-centurie global spice trade. In executing his eclectic culinary vision for the Aqua Blu, Chef Cross relies on local ingredients sourced primarily from Bali and eastern Indonesia, including indigenous spices such as nutmeg and cloves, as well as a wealth of seafood such as giant Papuan prawns sustainably sourced from the Indonesian seas.  

Banda Api Volcano, Indonesia

Discover the Spice Islands as 2019 becomes 2020

As a new year dawns, there is still time to follow Aqua Blu’s discovery of the ancient trade route to the Spice Islands and to admire the richest marine biodiversity on our planet in Raja Ampat. There are limited suites for this memorable year-end celebration on the brand-new Aqua Blu so call us now!

The Icon of the Amazon

Indulge in a culinary journey through the Amazon aboard the Aria Amazon. Since the birth of Aqua Expeditions, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino has been at the helm of its Amazon vessels’ cuisine. Schiaffino is a pioneer of rainforest-to-table dishes with more than a decade of work supporting its indigenous Amazonian communities. He was recently recognized at the 2019 Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

World-Class Cuisine on the Mekong

Travelers on the Aqua Mekong can experience the Thai-influenced cuisine of renowned chef David Thompson, known for Michelin-starred restaurants and other lauded dining establishments in Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Specializing in elevated Thai street food, Thompson brings the best of local ingredients together with Southeast Asian spices to create a culinary adventure on the Mekong.

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

•Holiday availability—the Coral Triangle of Raja Ampat, sailing for 7 nights over Christmas or New Year’s. A perfect way to celebrate the holiday or ring in 2020!

•Last-minute Amazon cruise: Save up to $1400 per couple!

•20% off the Aqua Mekong for bookings confirmed at least 60 days in advance.

•No single supplement aboard the Aqua Mekong and the Aria Amazon.

SHIPS AHOY

More on Aqua Expedition’s two new vessels:

Aqua Blu is Aqua Expeditions’ first coastal ship, and the first-ever long-range explorer yacht with year-round departures to be permanently based in East Indonesia—the heart of the Coral Triangle and the fabled Old World spice trade route. The 15-suite Aqua Blu explores three destinations on 7-night coastal cruise itineraries:

•Raja Ampat (Round-trip; December through to February; 10 departures each year)

•Bali-Komodo National Park (Bi-directional; April to September; 23 departures each year)

•Ambon & Spice Islands (Round-trip; October to November; 7 departures each year)

Designed and built to become the most state-of-the-art riverboat to sail the Amazon, Aqua Nera has a luxuriously-appointed interior inspired by the surroundings—the blackwater lagoons and tributaries of the Amazon river and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Aqua Nera’s features 20 spacious river-facing suites and comprehensive amenities including an indoor lounge and bar, as well as a river-facing plunge pool and gym. The vessel will offer 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries on the Peruvian Amazon alongside the Aria Amazon.