Aqua Expeditions to launch second luxe ship in Peruvian Amazon

Aqua Expeditions is spending around $4 million to launch a second luxury river cruise ship on the Peruvian Amazon in April 2011.

The newbuild, Aria, will be slightly larger than Aqua Expeditions’ existing ship on the Peruvian Amazon, the Aqua (pictured).

The 32-passenger Aria is currently being built in Iquitos, Peru to be 147 feet in length, with 16 suites, four of which are interconnecting for families. It will also have an outdoor Jacuzzi and sun deck, an exercise room with elliptical trainer and treadmill, air-conditioned lounge, a bar and library. A crew of 24 will be serving the 32 guests on board.

The 24-passenger Aqua is 140 feet long with 12 guest suites, ranging from 230 to 240 square feet with outward-facing windows and en-suite sitting areas.

The Aria will also offer three-, four- and seven-night cruises along the Peruvian Amazon. It will more than double Aqua Expeditions’ capacity. The seven-night cruise includes the Yanayacu part of the Amazon, the Yanallpa Creek, the Maranon River, the Samiria River, the Pacaya Samiria National Park, Yanayacu Pucate and Charo Lake (the three- and four-night cruises include variations of those destinations).

The significant investment in the new ship is a testament to his confidence in the market, said CEO Francesco Galli-Zugaro.

On Aug. 4, armed pirates attacked and robbed passengers on the Aqua, just nine days after a similar attack on the luxury vessel. But Galli-Zugaro said that security has been beefed up on the Peruvian Amazon ever since, with coast guards now patrolling the waters round the clock.