Aqua Lares

The 1974-built (as "Legend") cruise ship Aqua Lares is a superyacht acquired by Aqua Expeditions/fleet in 2025. Having the highest Ice-Class specifications (ice-strengthened hull with ice-breaking capabilities), the vessel can safely navigate both in warm and ice-covered polar waters.

The vessel (IMO number 7367835) is currently Marshall Islands-flagged (MMSI 538071436) and registered in Majuro.

Construction and ownership

The shipbuilder IHS Verschure (Scheepswerf Verschure) was a shipyard in Amsterdam, now part of the Dutch holding corporation Royal IHC (Industriele Handels Combinatie Holland NV). The expedition yacht Legend was designed and constructed by IHS as an icebreaker for the USSR/Soviet Union's merchant fleet. MY Legend underwent a major rebuild in 2016, conducted at ICON Yachts' facility in Harlingen, Netherlands.

Aqua Lares was fully refurbished in 2019. The multi-million-dollar project was overseen by M.E. Consulting. For the yacht's exterior design was contracted the Dutch naval architecture and engineering company Diana Yacht Design. The interior designs were developed by two Florida USA-based firms - John Misiag Design, and Shelley McNaughton Interior Design Associates.

After the purchase in August 2025, Aqua Lares was drydocked at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (the Netherlands) for an extensive refit and renovation.

Decks and cabins

Aqua Lares staterooms (15 in total, divided into 5 categories) can be booked with double occupancy, accommodating only 35 guests on the voyage. Only the Suites allow triple occupancy (room #303, plus a single sofa bed) and quad occupancy (rooms #104 and #105, plus a double Murphy bed).

The largest accommodations are the three Owner’s Suites, sized between 420-710 ft2 (39-66 m2). The other cabins are sized between 140-320 ft2 (13-30 m2).

Each stateroom is individually designed and furnished with custom-made furniture of premium solid wood. The wallcoverings and fabrics are from the Italian manufacturer/brand Dedar.

Standard cabin amenities include a King-size double bed (non-convertible) or two single beds (convertible to a double bed), underbed storage (drawers), bedside cabinets with drawers, wall-mounted reading lamps, vanity table/writing desk with an armchair, wardrobe, TV, digital safe box (in the closet), en-suite bathroom (mirrored vanity, toilet, walk-in shower, overhead rain-shower, organic natural hair and bath products, toiletries, professional hairdryer), and individually controlled air-conditioning.

The boat has 6 passenger decks, of which 4 have cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The interiors are marked by warm-paneled walls, premium Dedar textiles, and Gaya Ceramics dishware.

In the Lower Deck's aft section are the wellness facilities, including a Sauna Room, a Spa/Massage Room, and an indoor Jacuzzi (whirlpool bath). Staff and crew cabins and facilities are positioned midship and forward.

On the Main Deck (floor 1) are two of the three Owner's Suites (category I, positioned forward) and three cabins in categories IV and V. Main Deck also houses the Saloon (main lounge), a Cinema/Screening Room, an Alfresco Dining (shaded) Area positioned aft, as well as an aft-facing sundeck with an outdoor Jacuzzi/pool and the Marina (swimming and watercraft launch platform). The complimentary watercraft and toys include 5x Zodiacs/tender boats, sea kayaks, paddleboards, and diving gear. On shore excursions, mountain bikes are provided complimentary.

In the Upper Deck's forward section are staterooms in categories II, III, and V. Aft are positioned the Indoor Lounge with an adjacent Outdoor Lounge with served by the Indoor Lounge's Bar.

Forward on the Owner’s Deck (floor 3) is the yacht's largest cabin, Category I Owner's Suite (sized 710 ft2/66 m2), with two adjacent cabins in categories II and IV. Midship-aft is the Outdoor Gym/Exercise Area and aft is the Helideck, which doubles as an outdoor lounge/sundeck with daybeds.

Midship on the Bridge Deck (floor 4) are the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse and an adjacent cabin in category II.

The Sun Deck (floor 5) is an open-air space for relaxation and enjoying the ocean views or watching wildlife. The top deck's Bar Lounge is the perfect venue for sunset cocktails, light food (canapes) and group gatherings under the stars.

The ship's Zodiacs (RIBs/high-speed boats) are used for nearshore expeditions and cruising on inland waterways.

Itineraries

Aqua Expeditions' Aqua Lares schedule lists exotic voyages based on seasonal deployments in the Indian Ocean (East Africa, Maldives, Seychelles) and Northern Europe (the Norwegian Arctic, Svalbard Archipelago).

Aqua Lares can also be booked as a full charter. During the summer (May through September), when the ship is deployed in Europe, she can be booked for EUR 625K per week (+ expenses is ~EUR 735K). During the winter (October through April), when the yacht is in the Indian Ocean,l she can be fully chartered for ~ USD 595K per week (+ expenses).

Note: The above prices are based on 2025 data/rates.

In October 2025, Aqua Expeditions opened for booking the superyacht's maiden season in the European Arctic (Svalbard). The season starts with Aqua Lares' Maiden Voyage on May 30th, 2026. The schedule lists 5- to 14-night itineraries leaving from Longyearbyen (on Spitzbergen Island) or Tromso. The visited land tour destinations include Spitzbergen Island's Alkehornet Mountain, Magdalenefjord's Gravneset Peninsula, the Lilliehookbreen Glacier (Albert I Land and Haakon VII Land), Raudfjord, Kongsfjorden, Van Keulenfjorden, and Amsterdam Island's Smeerenburg. Other Norwegian islands visited are Gjesvaerstappan and Bjornoya/Bear Island.

On arctic wildlife viewing excursions can be spotted walruses, seals, whales, polar bears, foxes, reindeer, and birds.

Aqua Lares' schedule also lists longer repositioning cruises from Norway to the UK and the Indian Ocean.

The inaugural Seychelles cruises are in February 2026. The 5- to 11-night itineraries visit the islands.