Aqua Expeditions Launches New Ship

Aqua Expeditions announces the launch of its second vessel, M/V Aria, a custom-designed river-cruise ship which will make its maiden voyage up the Peruvian Amazon and into the remote Pacaya Samiria Reserve for the first time in April.

Designed by stellar Peruvian designer Jordi Puig, the boat has 16 luxury outward-facing suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, an on-deck Jacuzzi, an exercise room, dining room and bar, observation deck, an onboard boutique and open-air lounge. The 147ft vessel will offer the rare experience of a 5-star hotel under the stars of the Amazon.

Aqua's combination of gourmet Peruvian cuisine by top chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, celebrated South American wines, a team of talented and experienced Amazon River guides – some of whom grew up in the Pacaya Samiria - and incredible wildlife viewing, turn a trip to Peru into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Aria will operate year-round itineraries up the Amazon River, ranging from three to seven nights. The vessel’s spacious living and sleeping areas, all with panoramic views, allow guests to spot wildlife even when below deck. Daily water-based excursions will also afford close-up encounters with the local wildlife such as the Amazon Pink River Dolphin, the Red Howler Monkey and the Greater Fishing Bat. Other unforgettable experiences include fishing for piranha, spending time with the communities that live on the banks of the river or just watching the Amazon drift by.

Aqua's commitment to protecting the Amazon and its wildlife has also been integral in the construction of the Aria. The boat uses fuel-efficient motors with low carbon emissions, has an on-board water purification facility to ensure river water is used wherever possible and a meticulous waste management system.

A three-night Amazon Discovery Cruise starts from £1,609 per person, based on two people sharing, on a full-board basis. This price includes all excursions, beverages (soft drinks, house wine and beer), transfers to and from Iquitos (if arriving on recommended flights) and entrance to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

For more information, visit http://www.aquaexpeditions.com/ or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Aqua Expeditions Prepares for Aria

Here at Time Spent At Sea (and World of Cruising), we are keen exponents and supporters of adventure cruising in all its guises. And this latest news release has got us dreaming of a luxury Amazonian voyage....

Peru, Mar 1.- The wait is nearly over as the final touches are being put in place on Aqua Expeditions' latest vessel, the M/V Aria. Scheduled to take its maiden voyage on April 24, the upgraded, design-driven vessel will join its sister ship as the two premier luxury cruisers in Peru's remote Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

Like its sister ship, the Aria's interiors, furniture and finishes have been entirely custom-created to provide guests with an unrivalled experience onboard while at the same time highlighting the jaw-dropping scenery of the Peruvian Amazon. Peruvian interior designer Jordi Puig was charged with outfitting the new vessel along with Aqua Expeditions' newly opened embarkation lounge in Nauta.

New upgrades debuting on the M/V Aria include:

* Floor-to-ceiling windows on all guest suites
* An exercise room featuring elliptical, treadmill, and spinning machines
* Celebrity chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino's fine dining menus, highlighting regional dishes and local ingredients
* Redesigned excursion skiffs with larger seats
* Rooftop Jacuzzi
* Special Tour Leader accommodations

The new vessel will run 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries alternating with the M/V Aqua's departures to provide more options for travelers. The Aria will venture to a different area of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, offering the same wildlife viewing capabilities.

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New from Aqua Expeditions

One of our favourite niche adventure cruise operations, Aqua Expeditions in Peru, have just announced the opening of their new cruise terminal in Nauta.

The new facility (above) provides a stylish lounge/relaxation station at the tributary of the Amazon where guests board the luxury, 28-passenger MV Aqua (and in the spring, their new boat, the MV Aria).

The open-air lounge situated at the edge of the river was designed by Jordi Puig, who also designed the Aqua Expeditions vessels. Most of the furniture is tailor-made, including the wood sink made out of one piece of locally sourced pumaquirowood.

The lounge includes a refreshment area, relaxing cushioned chairs and bathroom facilities. In addition to using it for embarking and disembarking passengers, Aqua also plan to use the facility for special group functions.

For more information, contact Dalia Gibu, Aqua's Marketing and Sales Manager, at dgibu@aquaexpeditions.com.

To book Aqua's 7-day Amazon cruises from the UK, call adventure cruise specialist The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677 or get a copy of their Adventure Cruise Collection brochure.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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