Aqua Nera

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MV Aqua Nera cruise ship is a premium riverboat (also referred to as a houseboat) featuring a modern design and top-quality hotel amenities, offering year-round some of the industry's finest Peruvian Amazon cruise vacations.

Aqua Nera's fleetmates include the riverboats Aqua Mekong (2014/Mekong River), Aria Amazon (2010/sistership on the Peruvian Amazon), and the fully refurbished luxury yacht Aqua Blu (2019), deployed in Eastern Indonesia.

This newbuild vessel was initially scheduled for inauguration in August 2020, but due to the COVID crisis, the debut was postponed to April 2021.

The shipowner is the French company Ponant, which acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions (founded in 2008 and based in Singapore) in January 2025.

Aqua Nera is considered the most innovative and luxurious riverboat operating year-round in the Peruvian Amazon and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Designed by Noor Design Studio, the boat features luxuriously appointed interiors, with all 20 staterooms decorated using high-quality, sustainably sourced dark woods. Public spaces include a Bar Lounge, Restaurant, Gym, Spa, and a Sundeck with a Plunge Pool.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Continuing its partnership with renowned Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Aqua Expeditions offers a sustainable menu emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Seventy percent of all ingredients used onboard are sourced from the rainforest and surrounding waters. Chef Schiaffino transforms unique ingredients into authentic dishes that stand alongside Peruvian favorites such as ceviche. Onboard the Aria Amazon, guests can enjoy specialties such as hearts of palm soufflé, grilled paiche with huatia potatoes, escolar fish in aji panka chili adobo, scallops with wild almonds and Umari fruit, plantain, and yucca gnocchi.

The ship’s expansive balconies provide ideal viewing platforms to safely observe Amazon Rainforest wildlife—mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

The following complimentary amenities and services are offered onboard:

The Aft Sun Deck/Observation Deck is equipped with single and double daybeds, making it ideal for photography, birdwatching, enjoying riverside scenery, outdoor movie screenings under the stars, and late-night stargazing. The Forward Outdoor Bar Lounge (at the bow) is canopy-shaded and furnished with comfortable loungers, four-seat dining tables, private cabanas, and a Plunge Pool.

Located on the Sun Deck (top Deck 3), the Indoor Bar Lounge serves as the social hub for activities, cocktails, port talks, and cruise itinerary presentations.

On Deck 2 (aft), the Indoor Dining Room Restaurant with an adjoining Terrace also functions as an outdoor private dining area. The menu, crafted by Chef Schiaffino, features Amazonia-inspired cuisine.

Deck 3 (midship-aft, starboard) houses the Private Screening Room (10 seats) with theater-style seating and a curated selection of Amazon-themed films and documentaries. The Cruise Director organizes private screenings, lectures, and multimedia presentations on Amazonian history, cultures, and people.

Deck 3 (midship-aft, port side) includes the Games Room (also serving as a Library) and a Gym with floor-to-ceiling windows and modern fitness equipment including free weights and training machines.

Deck 2 (midship-aft) features the Lobby with port and starboard entrances, a 24-hour Guest Services Desk (Reception), and a Shop (Antique and Artisanal Boutique). Adjacent to the lobby is the Spa and wellness complex, offering two treatment rooms (one single, one double) for massages by certified professional therapists.

RV Aqua Nera also includes an Infirmary (ship hospital) staffed by a resident physician/paramedic.

The ship operates a fleet of three aluminum skiffs (motorized speedboats, each with a capacity of 10 passengers plus one crew member) used for up to three daily shore excursions into the Amazon’s tributaries. Passengers can also enjoy complimentary kayaking and piranha fishing on the Pacaya River.

All excursions are guided by English-speaking local experts and include skiff rides to natural swimming pools. Aqua Expeditions’ 3- and 7-night Amazon cruises also offer city cycling tours in Nauta, Peru, using a fleet of 10 bicycles.

Pricing for Aqua Nera cruises includes all onboard meals, excursions, non-alcoholic beverages, house wine and beer, roundtrip transfers with recommended flights, and entrance to Peru’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. The vessel is also chartered by the Globus-owned Avalon Waterways and other luxury cruise tour operators offering premium Amazon travel packages in South America. Avalon Waterways’ Amazon charters include flights from the USA (international USA–Callao–USA and domestic Lima–Iquitos–Lima) along with complimentary airport transfers.

Decks and cabins

RV Aqua Nera’s staterooms (20 in total) offer elegant design, maximized space, enhanced natural light, contemporary furniture, and five-star hotel amenities.

All Suites are equally sized (30 m2 / 320 ft2) and accommodate triple occupancy, with convertible sofas serving as sofabeds for children.

Eight Design Suites (located forward on Decks 1 and 2) can be reserved as "family cabins." These four pairs of interconnecting suites (60 m2 / 645 ft2 combined) are linked via sliding doors and accommodate up to six guests. Each features a master bedroom, living/lounge area, and his-and-hers bathrooms.

Standard stateroom amenities include a custom-made king-size bed (2x2m, or twin beds 1x2m), premium Peruvian cotton bedding and duvets, bedside cabinets with lamps, floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows with double curtains, slide-opening mirrored wardrobe with drawers and an electronic safe, intercom phone system, round coffee table, lounge sofabed, audio dock station (MP3 and cell phone compatible), tea/coffee making facilities, professional hairdryer, ensuite bathrooms (walk-in and overhead rain showers, dual-sink vanities, lighted mirror, natural organic bath and hair products), individually controlled air conditioning, daily replenished bottled water, and 24-hour complimentary room service.

Aqua Nera Amazon cruise itinerary

The ship operates 3- and 7-night itineraries with prices ranging between USD 4,125 and 10,325 per person (double occupancy). The homeport (embarkation/disembarkation) is Iquitos, Peru.

In addition to the Amazon River, Aqua Nera also cruises the Yarapa, Yanalipa, and Ucayali rivers.

All Amazon cruise tours include daily guided shore excursions led by local English-speaking naturalists. Activities include visits to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, rainforest walks, cultural village visits, skiff boat rides, wildlife watching, and nocturnal river cruising. Onboard entertainment features live performances by local musicians and artisans.