Recognized as a global leader in luxury small-ship expeditions, Aqua Expeditions has announced three exclusive Chef Hosted Departures this year – renowned chef Benjamin Cross will be onboard Aqua Blu in Indonesia, and Peruvian legend Pedro Miguel Schiaffino onboard Aqua Nera on the Amazon River. Guests onboard Aqua’s Chef Hosted Departures can expect to explore the world’s most bio-diverse and culturally significant destinations, aboard best-in-class vessels of stylish contemporary design, all whilst enjoying exquisite, mouth-watering dishes created by the locally inspired legendary chefs.
Aqua Nera Departures with Pedro Miguel Schiaffino (Peruvian Amazon)
23 – 27 May & 10 – 14 Oct 2023
Aboard Aqua Nera, chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino creates Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine combining native Amazonian ingredients with traditional cooking techniques. 70 percent of all fresh ingredients used onboard is sustainably sourced within Peru and the Andes of Ecuador. Highlights include Galapagueña lobster lettuce wraps with Acevichado dressing, delicate potato llapingachos, tuna crudo, barbecued plantains, and shrimp ceviche.
Pedro Miguel Schiaffino was the chef of Lima’s Malabar and ámaZ, is on the Latin Cuisines Advisory Council and founder of Schiaffino Gastronomika. He joined the Aqua Expeditions team in 2007 and today is responsible for the culinary experiences on three vessels: Aqua Nera, Aria Amazon, and Aqua Mare.
Schiaffino will host two departures on Aqua Nera: one sailing from 23 – 27 May and a second from 10 – 14 October. Setting a new standard for luxury river expeditions on the Amazon and launched late 2020, Aqua Nera honors Amazonian cultures and traditions, tastefully weaving design accents from the rubber boom era with the colorful cultures of Portugal, Spain, and Peru. Navigating the depths of the world’s most bio-diverse rainforest in comfort, Aqua Nera’s expert naturalist guides conduct small group excursions rewarding guests with up-close wildlife encounters.
Pricing & Details:
• 23 – 27 May 2023 Nauto to Iquitos
• From US$6,400 per person
• 4-night itinerary including all meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, premium wines, and beer), local transfers and all excursions
• 10 – 14 October 2023 Nauto to Iquitos
• From US$6,400 per person
• 4-night itinerary including all meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, premium wines, and beer), local transfers and all excursions
Aqua Blu Departures with Benjamin Cross (Komodo National Park, Indonesia)
9 – 16 September 2023
Aboard Aqua Blu, Indonesia’s first resident long-range ocean explorer yacht, each meal is an adventure of its own. Guests of the 15 individually designed suites will get to experience remarkable cuisine curatedby Benjamin Cross who promises inspiring food, drawing inspiration from Indonesian, European and Mediterranean palettes. Chef Cross has crafted over 160 recipes for Aqua Expeditions over the years, incorporating a variety of Indonesia’s spices and flavors from Giant Papuan Prawns to Yellow Fin TunaTartare, bringing diners on a culinary journey of the region.
Hailing from from Australia, Chef Cross began his career over 20 years ago at the award-winning Byron Bay boutique hotel and restaurant Raes on Wategos. He honed his craft under some of the top icons of Australian cuisine: Janni Kyritsis from the former MG Garafe, and Neil Perry as part of the re-opening team of XO.
During his hosted departure on Aqua Blu, Chef Cross will present mouth-watering dishes including a 48-hour beef short rib rendang, Balinese suckling pig with bumbu Bali (Balinese spices), organic Javanese prawns marinated in fragrant oil and lime, and his personal favorite, handline- caught fish grilled with Balinese sambal. Cruising from Labuan Bajo, through the Komodo National Park all the way to Bali, guests will see the best Indonesia has to offer. Led by highly experienced crew and guides, guests will be given the chance to explore the world’s most bio-diverse marine habitats, embark on adventurous hike across active volcanoes, and even snorkel with whale sharks.
Pricing & Details:
• 9 – 16 September 2023 Labuan Bajo (Flores) to Benoa (Bali)
• Pricing from US$8,960 per person
• 7-night itinerary including all meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, premium wines, and beer), local transfers and all excursions
Additional unique activities to both Chef Hosted Chef departures include:
• Customized Market Tours: Travel with Benjamin/Pedro to local markets to learn about locally grown and harvested ingredients
• Master Cooking Class: Attend a cooking class or a kitchen tour hosted by Benjamin/Pedro as he walks guests through his secrets of recipe planning, preparation and execution
• Interactive Q&A with Benjamin/Pedro: Find out how the dynamic international food scene is transforming the way they design their latest visions of culinary creativity
For more information on Aqua Expeditions please see here
