JG Black Book of Travel is proud to announce that last Friday, May 6, 2011, the M/V Aria, Aqua Expeditions’ second luxury river-cruiser on the Peruvian Amazon, set sail on its maiden voyage with 21 passengers aboard.
The new M/V Aria
- - 16 cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows
- - Air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge
- - Signature Amazon Grill from award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino
- - Exercise room and outdoor Jacuzzi
- - Trademark naturalist-guided excursions
But it was a long road for Francesco Galli-Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions, and his team to make launch day the success that it was! Here are some of the astounding obstacles this diligent team overcame:
- - Not only was the M/V ARIA built in record time – the entire hull and superstructure was completed in 6 months – but in one of the most remote shipyards in the world and the furthest in-land sea port of the world.
- - Putting the M/V Aria into the water took over a week and required three tug boats and over a hundred men.
- - The only road that leads to Pucallpa – the only connector port that eventually leads to Iquitos (7 days navigating down river and the location the M/V Aria sails from) – was washed out and had to be completely re-built.
- - Three containers from Brazil of custom-made furniture for the ship’s interior arrived in Lima only to be sent out to open seas for 5 days due to the Tsunami warning.
- - Historically low river levels on the Amazon delayed water transport of materials up to two weeks.
And all of this was further challenged with torrential rain and soaring temperatures of 105 degrees - the steel plates of the main deck got so hot the soles of the worker’s shoes started to melt. Thankfully the workers persevered and the ship was completed and launched on schedule.
We want to congratulate Francesco and the rest of the Aqua Expeditions on a successful first voyage!
To learn more about this extraordinary new ship, visit www.aquaexpeditions.com.
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