Small ship line Aqua Expeditions has confirmed all five vessels will return to service this year following several pauses due to Covid-19.
The line’s two river ships on the Amazon, Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera, have both resumed operations, while Aqua Mekong, which offers river sailings through Vietnam and Cambodia, will return to service on September 2.
Vietnam reopened its borders to vaccinated foreign tourists on March 15, while Cambodia confirmed it had removed all Covid-19 testing requirements for vaccinated visitors this week.
Aqua Blu, which offers sailings around Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park and the Spice Islands in Indonesia, will resume private charters from April and FIT (fully inclusive tour) departures from June, following the news that the destination hopes to remove quarantine restrictions for all fully vaccinated visitors by April 1.
The line’s newest ship, Aqua Mare (pictured), will make its debut in the Galapagos Islands in June. The seven-suite superyacht will offer seven and 14-night voyages around the volcanic Pacific Ocean archipelago and has capacity for 16 passengers.
“Nothing pleases me more to say that all our ships will be operating this year,” said the line’s chief executive and founder Francesco Galli Zugaro.
Speaking on a webinar promoting Aqua Mare for members of the travel trade and media, Zugaro also teased further expansion for the line.
“For those of you that know me, with my passion and the drive that we have, with the backing and the team that we have, know that I’m not going to sit on my laurels for long before my wheels keep turning to find out when, where and what [is next].
“I’m not going to spill the beans yet. Let’s get these five ships back into full operation this year, as we have multiple years of backlog of guests that want to travel, and then start delving into [expansion].”
He told travel agents: “You help me fill these ships, and then I’ll deliver more products.”