Aqua Blu

MV Aqua Blu cruise ship is a premium yacht designed by Cor D Rover BV (Amsterdam, Holland-based yacht exterior and interior design studio). Previously named HMS Beagle (a British Royal Navy survey vessel built in 1968), the ship was drydock reconstructed and fully refurbished in 2018-2019 before entering service with its new owner, Aqua Expeditions.

Aqua Blu's fleetmates include the riverboats Aqua Nera (2020/Peruvian Amazon), Aqua Mekong (2014/Mekong River), and Aria Amazon (2010/Peruvian Amazon).

Inaugurated in November 2019, Aqua Blu is the first coastal cruise ship for Aqua Expeditions and the first long-range expedition-class superyacht permanently based in Southeast Asia's East Indonesian Archipelago.

The top-luxury yacht is currently owned by the French company Ponant via its subsidiary Aqua Expeditions (founded in 2008 and based in Singapore).

The vessel meets the highest classifications by ISM (International Safety Management), RINA (Registro Italiano Navale), and SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). It is equipped with Quantum Zero Speed stabilizers, ensuring comfort both while cruising and at anchor. Additional equipment includes two Zodiac 4.2m RIB rescue boats (with Mariner 25 HP engines), modern radio communications, a satellite phone, emergency battery packs, signal flares, and an automatic defibrillator. Each cabin is fitted with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The yacht's launch boats, used for passenger tendering and shoreside excursions, include two Alson Flash 750s (powered by Evinrude E-Tech 225 HP engines), each with a 10-passenger capacity. Complimentary watersports gear includes sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and diving/snorkeling equipment (scuba tanks, masks, fins). All diving tours are led by certified guides.

Rare for yachts, facilities include the Sun Deck's outdoor plunge pool and a Spa with treatment rooms for massages. Among the 25 crew members are a Cruise Director, Dive Instructor, and four tour guides.

• Sun Deck (Deck 5) offers 360-degree sea views and features an outdoor BBQ seating area with wraparound lounge sofas and umbrellas. It hosts morning yoga sessions, evening grill parties, and night stargazing.
• Bridge Deck (Deck 4) houses the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse), an aft Jacuzzi (large whirlpool hot tub), lounge beds, a Gym with modern fitness equipment, and the indoor Spa (Balinese massages and aromatherapy). Category 1 cabins are also located on this deck.
• Forecastle Deck (Deck 3) includes the Sky Lounge Bar, Library, and TV Room. Meals are served in the aft alfresco dining area. Category 1 cabins are located here as well.
• Main Deck (Deck 2) serves as the entrance to the ship and features the Reception (24-hour Guest Services Desk), Dining Room/Bar Salon offering refined Indonesian-inspired cuisine, and staterooms in categories 2 and 3.
• Lower Deck (Deck 1) houses crew accommodations and additional guest cabins in categories 2 and 3.

MV Aqua Blu cruise fares include all onboard meals, excursions, non-alcoholic beverages, house wine and beer, as well as transfers to/from the ship when taking the recommended flights.

Staterooms

The Aqua Blu yacht features 15 oceanview/outside staterooms across four decks and in three suite categories. There are two "family cabins" with interconnecting doors—room pairs 401-402 and 301-302. All staterooms are outfitted with modern furnishings, a large wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), wall-mounted reading lamps, bedside cabinets with lamps, premium laminate flooring, and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, overhead rain shower, and natural organic bath and hair products.

• Category 1 (25-31 m² / 270-335 ft²): Includes 5 suites—2 on Bridge Deck and 3 on Forecastle Deck. Features a King-size bed (non-convertible), interior sofa, lounge area (in select cabins), walk-in closet (room 302), and large round windows (room 301) or large rectangular windows (other Category 1 suites).
• Category 2 (22-31 m² / 235-335 ft²): Includes 7 suites—4 on Main Deck and 3 on Lower Deck. Features a King-size bed (convertible to twins), interior sofa, and lounge area (in select cabins), with oval-shaped non-opening porthole windows.
• Category 3 (12-14 m² / 130-150 ft²): Includes 3 suites—1 on Main Deck and 2 on Lower Deck. Features twin beds (non-convertible) and small round non-opening porthole windows.

MV Aqua Blu Indonesia cruise itinerary

Aqua Blu operates year-round in East Indonesia, departing from Ambon (Maluku Islands), Labuan Bajo and Maumere (Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara), and Sorong (Raja Ampat).

7-day coastal cruise itineraries focus on three regions: Raja Ampat (December–February, 10 departures), Bali-Komodo National Park (April–September, 23 departures), and Ambon & Spice/Maluku Islands (October–November, 7 departures).

With Aqua Blu, guests can explore top diving and snorkeling sites within the Coral Triangle, which includes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and East Timor. Select 12-day cruise tours (4 departures annually) offer custom-designed itineraries. Prices for 7- and 12-day cruises range from USD 7,525 to 16,475 per person (double occupancy).

In February 2021, Aqua Expeditions partnered with NIHI Sumba (Luxury Beach Resort Indonesia/Private Villas) to offer a unique cruisetour exploring East Indonesia’s remote islands and waters. Departing from Benoa, Bali, the itinerary combines a 4-night private yacht charter in Komodo National Park with a 3-night stay at NIHI Sumba's luxury villas. Destinations include Sumba Island, Moyo Island, Gili Lawah Island (diving), Padar Island (hiking), and Horseshoe Bay (between Pulau Rinca and Pulau Kode). At NIHI Sumba, guests can enjoy paddling on the Wanukaka River, jungle biking, swimming with horses, and beach rides on Nihiwatu Beach.

Following a suspension due to the COVID pandemic, Aqua Blu resumed operations on April 30, 2022, offering 7-night roundtrip cruises from Benoa (Bali) to Komodo National Park.

In March 2025, it was announced that in Fall 2026, Aqua Blu will be time-chartered twice by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions for two dive-themed voyages in Indonesia. The first itinerary (15 days), titled "Indonesia’s Coral Gardens and Komodo Dragons," explores the Coral Triangle and Komodo National Park, featuring diving and snorkeling in Taka Bonerate NP, kayaking through mangroves, and cultural experiences with local communities. The second itinerary (15 days), titled "Indonesia’s Spice Islands and Raja Ampat," includes snorkeling and diving in Raja Ampat’s coral reefs, and visits to nutmeg plantations, volcanic islands, inland waterfalls, and traditional villages.