Shortly after being acquired with a majority stake by Ponant Explorations Group, Aqua Expeditions has announced an upcoming new vessel: Aqua Lares. The intimate, 30-guest ship — the line’s sixth overall — will head to East Africa and the Seychelles, the Aldabra Atoll, Zanzibar and Tanzania beginning in February 2026.
“The launch of Aqua Lares marks an exciting new chapter for Aqua Expeditions — uniting our commitment to luxury exploration with the thrill of discovering uncharted frontiers,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions. “East Africa has held a special place in my heart since my first safari at age 7, and it’s surreal to now return with our own expedition yacht. From the wild beauty of the Seychelles to Aldabra Atoll’s 150,000 giant tortoises, this region offers a rare kind of adventure — one that perfectly complements our voyages in the Galapagos and Indonesia.”
Editor’s note: This page will be updated as further details emerge about the upcoming ship. It was last updated on Jan. 22, 2026.
Three Owner's Suites will be the largest accommodations onboard.
Credit: 2025 Aqua ExpeditionsAccommodations Onboard Aqua Lares
According to the line, the ship will be the first luxury expedition yacht in the Seychelles available to book by the cabin. Accommodations (encompassing 12 suites and three twin cabins) will range in size from 140 to 710 square feet, the largest of which will be three Owner’s Suites. Aqua design director Birgit Galli Zugaro and Milan-based Hotlab are collaborating on the interior design, with the goal of creating “a luxurious sanctuary at sea” with “a strong sense of place,” according to Aqua.
An outdoor jacuzzi is among onboard perks.
Credit: 2025 Aqua ExpeditionsPublic Venues
Marking a more than 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, 33 staff members (including three naturalist guides) will be onboard, catering to up to 30 passengers across a variety of venues. Aqua Lares’ six decks will offer a scenic sun deck with a bar and lounge, plus a dedicated cinema; a boutique; a gym; a saloon; and a spa with two whirlpools, a sauna and a massage room. Restaurants will consist of an indoor dining room and a separate shaded outdoor dining area.
A bar and lounge on Aqua Lares
Credit: 2025 Aqua ExpeditionsKarime Lopez will head up the culinary program as consulting chef; Lopez was the first Mexican woman to earn a Michelin star, bestowed in 2018 for her artistry at Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Florence, Italy. Her global perspective — she formally trained in Paris, France, and further worked across Japan, Peru and Spain — will inform the development of the vessel’s cuisine.
"Under chef Karime Lopez’s culinary direction, dining onboard Aqua Lares will be defined by cuisine that is elegant and closely tied to each expedition,” the line said in a statement. "Menus will balance Mediterranean influences with coastal Creole flavors, elevated through Japanese techniques and meticulous attention to detail.”
Among the signature dishes guests can expect will be a Zanzibar-spiced grilled ribeye accompanied by a rich, smoky and subtly hot demi-glace reduction, as well as a caviar-topped lobster tagliatelle in a slow-simmered “ocean jus.” Also on the menu will be the likes of glazed short ribs with smoked carrot puree and creole shrimp curry with fried plantain. The chef will precisely present citrus-forward flavor profiles emphasizing regional freshness and clarity.
Expedition Equipment
The ship will also come equipped with five private tenders: three Zodiacs and two Rafnar tenders (known for stable, shock-absorbing hulls). To further support expedition activities, mountain bikes, paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment and diving gear will also be on hand.
Itineraries
Aqua Lares will offer five-, nine-, 10- and 11-night expedition cruise itineraries featuring twice-daily excursions and the ability to access to islands and coastlines larger vessels cannot reach.
The five-night route will head to the Seychelles’ inner islands of Praslin and La Digue in the Indian Ocean. The nine-night sailing, meanwhile, will cover the Seychelles’ outer islands including the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Longer 10- and 11-night itineraries will combine the Seychelles with the Zanzibar Archipelago and Tanzania. They will navigate from Mahe to Zanzibar, calling at Aldabra, Remire, Farquhar and Astove.
Aqua Lares is scheduled to sail the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll, Zanzibar and Tanzania itineraries annually from November to April.
Additionally, the vessel, which is Ice Class 1B-rated, will head to Svalbard and the Arctic Circle in June 2026. A variety of five- to 14-night itineraries will navigate the Lofoten Islands and Tromso in Norway and more destinations, as well as seek out iconic wildlife such as polar bears, Arctic foxes and several species of whales.
Bookings are already open for 2026 and 2027.
