Ultra-luxury expedition line Aqua Expeditions has announced that its ice-class superyacht Aqua Lares will commence operations from May 30th, 2026, offering 5- to 14-night voyages in Svalbard, the Arctic Circle, and the Scottish Isles. The vessel, which accommodates just 30 guests, is the first in the region to combine private charters with individual-cabin bookings.
The Aqua Lares has been defined as a 78 m/255-ft expedition yacht built for polar navigation, complete with Polar Class capability, a near 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and design interiors by Birgit Galli Zugaro in collaboration with Milan-based HOTLAB.
Its Norwegian Arctic itinerary will depart from Longyearbyen or Tromsø and navigate remote fjords, drifting sea-ice, seabird colonies and historic whaling sites. Zodiacs, paddle-boards, kayaks and mountain bikes will support off-ship exploration of terrain inaccessible to larger vessels. Meanwhile, a secondary program will link the Scottish Isles and Svalbard in dual-destination sailings departing from Glasgow.
Aqua Expeditions’ founder and CEO explained that the new yacht aims to combine intimate luxury with access to polar frontiers, offering a deeply personal experience of wilderness rather than conventional cruising. The company also introduced a new loyalty scheme, Circolo Aqua, to reward returning guests with tiered privileges and onboard credit.
Rates for the Arctic expeditions begin at approximately US$10,150 per person for 5-night departures, with full private-charter options also available.