Gourmet cuisine by world-renowned chefs
All of our expeditions feature innovative menus inspired by each destination’s culture and surroundings
An appetite for adventure
Galapagos and the Peruvian Amazon
A pioneer of rainforest-to-table cuisine, renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino delivers the exceptional menus on our Galapagos and Amazon expeditions.
On the Aqua Mare, chef Schiaffino presents a dining experience inspired by the region’s dramatic landscapes and the Peruvian Nikkei style. Aboard Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon, the dishes make use of native Amazonian ingredients and showcase the best of Peruvian cuisine using a sustainable rainforest-to-table approach.
Pedro Miguel Schiaffino was the chef and previous owner of Malabar and ámaZ, which used to be two of Lima’s most cutting edge and innovative restaurants prior to their closure. He is also part of the Executive Committee of the CIA’s Latin Cuisines Advisory Council and founder of the catering company Schiaffino Gastronomika.
East Indonesia
Guests onboard Aqua Blu are treated to an immersive dining experience designed by award-winning Australian chef Benjamin Cross, showcasing a rendition of flavors from across Indonesia’s fabled sea spice trade route.
Drawing inspiration from Indonesian, European, and Mediterranean cuisines, chef Cross presents dishes made using the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood and local produce which Indonesia has to offer.
Hailing from a small village from Australia, Chef Benjamin Cross began his career over 20 years ago at the award-winning Byron Bay boutique hotel and restaurant Rae’s on Watego’s. He honed his craft under some of the top icons of Australian cuisine: Janni Kyritsis from the former MG Garage, and Neil Perry as part of the re-opening team of XO.
Over the years, Cross has also made his presence felt in the USA and Spain at Tom Colicchio’s Craft in New York, Seamus Mullen’s Tertullia New York, and Santi Santamaria’s three-Michelin star restaurant Can Fabes in Sant Celoni, Catalonia.
The Mekong Delta
Guests experience dishes made using fresh ingredients sourced from the Mekong’s bustling local markets.
Aboard the Aqua Mekong, explore a full repertoire of flavors from Vietnam and Cambodia, with a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef David Thompson. Aside from fine dining and on-board cooking demonstrations, guests can follow our chefs to bustling local markets as they procure the finest produce, from freshly-caught Mekong river catfish to newly-harvested Asian greens, for the day’s meals. Coconut, lemongrass, coriander and turmeric are just a few of the most recognizable flavors our guests can expect on the inventive yet authentic seasonal menus.
Some of the signature creations include lamb curry with Khmer spices and Vietnamese sugar cane prawns, most of which are served in a communal dining style authentic to the region’s traditions.
Explore our destinations
IndonesiaAmbon & Spice Islands CruiseAn epic journey sailing the Spice Islands, which were the focal point of the global spice trade in the 16th and 17th century. As the place of origin of nutmeg – a spice that was once worth more than its weight in gold – the Spice Islands were the holy grail for famous Old World explorers. While sailing on board the luxurious Aqua Blu, enjoy days of snorkeling and diving combined with the exploration of historical forts and hikes to nutmeg plantations.Aqua Blu | 30 Guests | 30 Crew
IndonesiaAsmat & New Guinea CruiseAsmat and West Papua are among the most uncharted destinations in all of Indonesia, rarely visited on board New Guinea cruises. Aqua Expeditions’ exclusive sailings in November 2025 will explore this region with stops at destinations including Momon, Cape Papisol, Triton Bay, and the jungles of Asmat. This itinerary is also offered in combination with cross-destination sailing exploring Spice Islands and Raja Ampat featuring some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving opportunities.Aqua Blu | 30 Guests | 30 Crew
Cambodia | VietnamMekong River CruiseImmerse yourself in centuries-old heritage as you discover the Mekong Delta and its storied past. Embark on expert-led excursions while sailing on Aqua Mekong: kayak to floating villages, discover historic Buddhist temples, and cycle along picturesque ricefields to explore monuments from the Khmer Empire.Aqua Mekong | 40 Guests | 40 Crew
PeruAmazon River CruiseJourney into the world’s largest rainforest aboard Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon. Sail the Peruvian Amazon’s most exciting tributaries and go on jungle walks with our trained local guides in search of exotic wildlife including pink dolphins, black caimans, and anacondas.Aria Amazon | 32 Guests | 26 Crew
EcuadorGalapagos CruiseExplore the rich volcanic landscapes and famously biodiverse waters of the Galapagos Islands. With twice-daily excursions – snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, and tender rides – encounter endemic species of penguins, giant tortoises, and iguanas which can't be found anywhere else in the world.Aqua Mare | 16 Guests | 16 Crew
IndonesiaBali-Komodo National Park CruiseSailing from Bali to Labuan Bajo and vice versa, this voyage uncovers the best of the Nusa Tenggara archipelago, including Moyo Island, Komodo National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its native population of Komodo Dragons and the Pink Beach – and Horseshoe Bay. Embark on expert-led excursions to discover the world’s most biodiverse marine habitats and check off bucket-list experiences such as swimming with whale sharks.Aqua Blu | 30 Guests | 30 Crew
IndonesiaRaja Ampat CruiseRaja Ampat, with its glittering turquoise waters and natural karst formations, is best known for harboring the world’s most diverse collection of underwater habitats and marine species. It is home to over half of all known species of tropical fish and three-quarters of all reef-building corals. Embark on expert-led snorkeling and diving excursions at the region’s hotspots for wildlife encounters. On land, uncover hidden lagoons, coves, and the magical Kali Biru blue river, as well as forests that shelter rare bird species including Wilson’s bird of paradise.Aqua Blu | 30 Guests | 30 Crew- IndonesiaAmbon & Spice Islands CruiseAn epic journey sailing the Spice Islands, which were the focal point of the global spice trade in the 16th and 17th century. As the place of origin of nutmeg – a spice that was once worth more than its weight in gold – the Spice Islands were the holy grail for famous Old World explorers. While sailing on board the luxurious Aqua Blu, enjoy days of snorkeling and diving combined with the exploration of historical forts and hikes to nutmeg plantations.Aqua Blu | 30 Guests | 30 Crew
- IndonesiaAsmat & New Guinea CruiseAsmat and West Papua are among the most uncharted destinations in all of Indonesia, rarely visited on board New Guinea cruises. Aqua Expeditions’ exclusive sailings in November 2025 will explore this region with stops at destinations including Momon, Cape Papisol, Triton Bay, and the jungles of Asmat. This itinerary is also offered in combination with cross-destination sailing exploring Spice Islands and Raja Ampat featuring some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving opportunities.Aqua Blu | 30 Guests | 30 Crew
- Cambodia | VietnamMekong River CruiseImmerse yourself in centuries-old heritage as you discover the Mekong Delta and its storied past. Embark on expert-led excursions while sailing on Aqua Mekong: kayak to floating villages, discover historic Buddhist temples, and cycle along picturesque ricefields to explore monuments from the Khmer Empire.Aqua Mekong | 40 Guests | 40 Crew
- PeruAmazon River CruiseJourney into the world’s largest rainforest aboard Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon. Sail the Peruvian Amazon’s most exciting tributaries and go on jungle walks with our trained local guides in search of exotic wildlife including pink dolphins, black caimans, and anacondas.Aria Amazon | 32 Guests | 26 Crew
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