Aqua Expeditions

Expedition Cruises

Bali

Abu Dhabi

Asia

Indonesia

Excellent

Aria Amazon

Aqua Nera

Aqua Mekong

Aqua Blu

Aqua Mare

An absolute holiday masterpiece!

Grand Cayman (Georgetown)

Our recent voyage aboard the Aqua Blu with Aqua Expeditions was a journey of a lifetime that exceeded all expectations. From the moment we arrived at Ayana Komodo to commence our adventure, we were captivated by the sheer beauty of the location. Sharing a group lunch at this stunning property with our fellow travelers was the perfect way to kick off the experience.

A pro-tip for future travelers: consider staying at Ayana the night before, as it's an experience in itself. Stepping onto the Aqua Blu, we were welcomed with open arms by the attentive crew. Their impeccable organization was immediately evident, as they knew our names and room assignments right away.

Our cabin was a big surprise, boasting generous space, an opulent bathroom, and even a walk-in wardrobe. The king-sized bed was extremely comfortable.

The ship itself was a marvel of luxury, with attention to detail that left us in awe. The initial briefing session was a testament to this meticulous planning. The crew efficiently outlined upcoming excursions and provided essential information, stressing the importance of timing. While the schedule was well-planned, there was also flexibility, allowing us to tailor our experience. We appreciated the variety of activities and ample relaxation opportunities.

Dai, our cruise director, truly stood out as he skillfully guided us throughout the journey, delivering information in a captivating and fun fashion. His helpfulness knew no bounds; even when we made unconventional requests, such as a wake-up call accompanied by a poem, he happily obliged. On our final evening, we spontaneously requested a farewell party, and Dai went above and beyond to make it happen. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dai for his exceptional dedication and being a great sport.

The activities and excursions were absolutely remarkable. The diving and snorkeling spots we ventured into were unparalleled, bursting with vibrant marine life and awe-inspiring natural wonders. Special recognition goes to the exceptional guides Kaz, Djamal, and Andre, whose expertise and enthusiasm truly elevated our experience!

Without giving away too much, I can confidently say that there was never a dull moment. Personal highlights included encounters with whale sharks, Komodo dragons, and a memorable hike on Padar Island.

During our downtime, we had the luxury of sunbathing and enjoying the onboard Jacuzzi. The evening sundowners were a particular treat, offering a chance to unwind with cocktails or wine while taking in the breathtaking sunset alongside fellow travelers.

The meals onboard were nothing short of outstanding. Each meal was delicious with so much variety. Remarkably, the crew seamlessly catered to our dietary preferences without constant reminders. Special commendation goes to the stewards, Wira, Rahmat, Febri, and Wayan for their exceptional care and attention. Febri is the joker of the bunch and even likes to sing to us.

Our cabin was impeccably cleaned multiple times a day, ensuring that our space remained inviting throughout the voyage. Thank you to cabin crew Komang, Faisal, and Lina.

This was truly a journey to cherish, and we're already planning our next Aqua Expeditions adventure in another Indonesian region. Our highest recommendation goes to this unforgettable trip—it surpassed all expectations and left us with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Trip of a lifetime 

We've just returned to Bali from a 7-day cruise on AQUA BLU from Labuan Bajo (Flores) back to Bali. We've been blessed to do a lot of luxury travel in our time, but we have to say this has been our best ever travel experience to date! If you love nature, adventure, gorgeous scenery and of course the stunning underwater world of Indonesia...this is a cruise for you!

The ship itself is stunning, pure luxury and elegance with such thought put into the design. The rooms were spacious and we particularly enjoyed the having a walk-in wardrobe and a large, luxe bathroom. 

The food was as good as we expected, with Chef Ben Cross as the consultant Chef we had high expectations....and the menu lived up to them! The attention to food preferences and dietary requirements did not go unnoticed either, Wira handled this in such a way that nothing was ever too much to ask, and preferences were always remembered and catered to. 

The star of the show for us was the itinerary. What thoughtfully prepared experiences, that would have taken a lot of effort and time to curate by the AQUA BLU team. Every experience was planned in such a way that where possible we had exclusivity, and a genuine experience. The AQUA BLU team obviously have great connections and relationships with the locals of each of the areas we visited, and that certainly didn't go unnoticed. 

As divers we felt completely safe in the hands of the experienced dive team who ensured we had the best dive experience, and were able to point out so many different species and coral to us throughout our dives. To Kaz, Andre and Djamal a huge thank you for taking such great care of us during our dives and excursions. It was not only spectacular to see, but you all made it such fun too. 

Dai our Cruise Director was not only extremely hospitable, but also a valuable wealth of knowledge when it comes to Indonesian history and geography. We learnt so much from him and looked forward to our evening Cruise Director briefings. 

The group we travelled with became instant new friends and it added to the experience to get to know them all during the week. We had such fun on the last night giving out some awards to the crew and guests, and we even had a little disco to celebrate the last night of an epic trip! 

The biggest highlight of the trip was getting to experience a swim with the Whale Sharks. Something that has been on our bucket list for quite some time, we really appreciated the way in which this experience was done as to be as least disruptive to the animal's normal behaviour. A truly magical experience! 

To the entire crew from the Captain, to the technicians, to the kitchen team, to the housekeeping, none of your work went unnoticed or unappreciated. The teamwork shone through with how seamlessly the entire trip played out, your attention detail was truly second to none. 

There is no way you are coming off this trip without considering booking another to the other trip to their other Indonesian destinations! Raja Ampat....we are coming for you next!!

Thank you AQUA BLU team for a trip of a lifetime.

Trip of a lifetime!

I’ve recently been on an extraordinary Aqua Blu expedition, surpassing my expectations. We did Komodo-Bali route. The week on board was unforgettable.  

Our cabin, was beautiful and spacious, and the communal areas are tastefully adorned and equipped, making them perfect for both relaxation and socialising. The outdoors were perfect to enjoying the views during the day, mingling or having a drink in the evenings (with the deepest skies I’ve ever seen as background). 

The crew is unique, warm, and professional. They share exceptional knowledge about the expedition's areas and ensured our safety throughout every excursion. Their commitment to safety measures, including thorough briefings and guidance before and during activities, gave me a sense of security, making the entire journey much more enjoyable. I didn’t miss my morning workouts either; the guys had the gym set up on the sun deck every morning for me to start the day as i like! THANK YOU, ALL!

The Komodo-Bali route is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Komodo dragons and whale sharks were the top excursions, but the wildlife and natural beauty in every single corner we’ve been to, made every adventure equally unique. 

The food…..OMG! A delight from breakfast to dinner. You can enjoy every meal with panoramic views, "al fresco" or inside (Since I can't handle the heat very well, I opted to enjoy my lunches indoors with AC every day)... either way would be great, the chef is astounding!

In a nutshell, Aqua Blu's experience is an absolute holiday masterpiece!

First off, we sailed out of Sorong on the Raja Ampat itinerary. We selected it as this is a hot spot of biodiversity underwater and we had enjoyed our last experience on Aqua Expeditions in Cambodia in early 2020.

Getting to Sorong is a labor of love, and nearly always involves a red eye. In our case we came in from Jakarta, with the flight departing about midnight and arriving at 6 am (two hour time change too). Like many, we came in early to recover from the thirty hours of so of travel. 

From our first contact with Shearly in planning our transfer from the inter island ferry to our drop off a week later, almost everything was perfection.

This is an excellent itinerary for those we enjoy being active in and around the water. There were multiple activities everyday including kayaking, snorkeling, diving, swimming off the boat, village visits, river adventures, bird watching and more. The itinerary was super allowing us to visit many different islands. In terms of scuba, it is best to check with the most current FAQ. Our stated that we got one dive a day when dives were offered. Fine by us as we also took advantage of the snorkeling. All but two or three people on our cruise were divers, so we were divided into two groups. There is no telling which dive site you will get to see. The exception was that we all got a chance to dive or snorkel with the Manta rays. One couple did a live aboard the week before and w edid a five night stay at a dive resort.

The food was excellent. Plenty of choices and I enjoyed it more than the river cruise on the Aqua

The yacht is fantastic. It’s in excellent shape and very comfortable with lots of places to relax. Plenty of spots on the sun and shade. They carry two zodiacs used for excursions and also have a number of kayaks. The quality of the scuba equipment is excellent. And everyone gets a dive computer. 

Our fellow travelers ranged in age from 30 to 87 and were all high spirited and lots of fun. I think that this destination isnt a bucket list check it off kind of place (since non of your friend will have heard of it). People really want to be there and do it all! I appreciated that everyone was treated like an adult. For example you could go where you wanted on the kayaks, swim off them etc. no problem swimming or diving off the ship (just let people know so they don’t sail away). Only needed a vest for activities if you wanted (except for some of the zodiac rides which were fast and bumpy at times) again, both sun and shade.

The crew consists of 30 people in all so you are always well taken care off. Lovely people. 

Our cabin 3** was very nicely laid out. The main issue was the air conditioning. The ship has a central system which means that there is no in cabin adjustment. The air circulation is uneven.

The lower decks are cold. At least it is possible to close up the ducts. Our cabin and the one adjacent were never very comfortable for more than a day or so despite repeated efforts. We finally ended up with a fan, which helped some. Level 4 people were all comfortable. In retrospect I think we didn’t need to book a premium cabin as we spent so much time outdoors or on deck. Ironically, they air conditioning was better in them. Call before you book to really understand the cabin configuration. They are all different layouts and if the air conditioning is an issue they chouos have the most recent information.

Excellent Experience 

Amazing experience! 

The ship is beautiful and luxurious, the activities were exciting and interesting, I learned and experienced so much without once feeling overwhelmed. 

The food was delicious and they worked with my limited diet, I have rheumatoid Arthritis and can't have nightshades. They made the necessary adjustments and were very kind about it.

The room was spotless, every time we left our room someone seemingly popped in to tidy up, even if it just meant folding the toilet paper or filling the water jug. 

Warm drinks and fluffy towels waiting after every dive. Beautiful perfectly planned dives and we felt very safe.

Truly interesting, entertaining and educational lectures. Staff telling their personal experiences as well as beautiful videos.

Excursion were perfectly planned down to the smallest detail! Set up inflatables and a bar, sparkling water and snacks on the beach and boats.

 I can't wait to go again! Absolutely adore the staff!

Flawless! Fabulous staff, food, activities and ship 

I had a great time discovering the waters of East Indonesia. We had daily opportunities for snorkeling around the region's hotspots. There were also excursions to islands such as Komodo where our guides helped us spot Komodo dragons and other native wildlife. The cuisine onboard was incredible too. Each day had a menu curated using regional flavors and ingredients. The suites were luxurious with cleaning done three times a day. The staff were really good at ensuring we had everything we needed while onboard. I'd recommend the expedition for anyone looking to discover the best of Indonesia. It's unlike most other cruises I've been on and there's a great deal of attention given to the daily experiences which makes it more of an expedition than anything else. I hope to return another time for Aqua Blu's other sailings in the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat as they're meant to be equally spectacular.

Incredible destination for snorkeling

If you are looking for a  luxury expedition cruise in a remote and stunningly beautiful region of the world then consider Aquablu program throughout Indonesia. Cabins are large and well appointed with ample common areas to laze and socialize.The service and food is of a quality you will find in the finest dining restaurants anywhere in the world. A Grade.The scenic backdrops to these dinners and breakfasts are better than you will find anywhere.

 Beach picnics on deserted islands with crystal clear water and coral gardens at your feet are par for the course. Swimming down freshwater steams through the tropical jungle with flocks of Hornbill overhead is a treat to behold. Visiting local fishing villages and joining in their dance ceremonies is a memorable part of the adventure.

Aqua Expeditions offer several different itineraries that are alluring, there are 17,000 islands in Indonesia so one trip is never enough. Combining this ocean going expedition with the serene river adventure on Aqua Mekong is the ultimate combination.

Raja Ampat dive and culture adventure

We chose the cruise because we had traveled with Aqua before on the Aqua Mekong. While the Mekong trip was great, this Raja Ampatexpedition was spectacular. The highlights were the amazing diving/snorkeling and the meals, which were Michelin quality.  those activities were balanced out with regular kayaking and paddling excursions, which were also successful. Every day seemed better than the one before, and different enough to keep everyone happy.  The cruise director and crew, even though the itinerary and crew are both fairly new, were near flawless in their execution - we covered a lot of sea and saw different wonderful coves and islands each day.   In terms of comfort the boat is spacious, luxurious, with lots of space to visit with others or be alone.   The staterooms are elegant, with loads of storage, fabulous bathrooms, and comfy beds.  We were particularly lucky in that the boat was not fully booked and the other guests were a terrific group of people.   

Sorong is not the easiest place to get to, but it's worth it once you step on the ship.

Perfect voyage

I always wanted to dive the Raja Ampat area but all of the live aboards looked a bit rough for mine and my husband's vacation dreams. Aqua Blue provides other excursions besides diving and an immersion into the history and culture of the region. It promised for a better dining experience as well. At this point in our lives we like to be comfortable while traveling. Aqua Blue did not disappoint. It is a lovely ship that rides beautifully. Every one of the crew is a professional. The Chef (Adrian) was dedicated and charming. The food was clean and nourishing with exciting flavors. It was just how we love to eat. The cruise director (Glenn) could not have been more attentive and present every moment. The itinerary was crammed with wonderful adventures but time in between to nap and process your experiences before setting out again. The diving was incredible. We were enchanted by new species every day which was amazing after a lifetime of traipsing the planet on dive "safari" and each of us in the neighborhood of 3000 dives logged. Jamal the dive master was relaxed and could find every targeted species. So much fun. He is very experienced and it showed. Truly a delight!

Our room was super comfortable with a great hot shower. We had a lovely time in the Aqua Blue bubble and cannot wait to book our next adventure!

Barefoot Elegance

We travelled to Raja Ampat on Aqua Blu during January 2020 and it was the most magical holiday. My husband and I travelled on Aqua Aria a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and we were very excited when we read about the launch of Aqua Blu travelling through Raja Ampat as it has been on our bucket list of travels.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our holiday on Aqua Blu.

The yacht was beautiful, the cabins were spacious and tastefully decorated, the daily meals that were prepared were delicious (the chef was very accommodating), the daily excursions were fun and the staff were friendly and hospitable.

The daily snorkelling was spectacular and snorkelling with Manta's is a highlight. 

Our journey was a truly beautiful and memorable holiday of a lifetime.

We look forward to doing a few more holidays with Aqua Expeditions and visiting Komdo Islands.

Filters

1-10 of 10